Why KFC is making burnt birds the centrepiece of a new campaign

Kentucky Fried Chicken is back with a new campaign that casts the QSR as a potential holiday hero when the goose gets (over)cooked.

In “Thankfully, There’s KFC Delivery,” the brand takes great effort to show all of the ways that the best laid schemes can go horribly awry, with the simple reminder that if yours happen to do the same, KFC is always there. The campaign, developed with creative partner Courage and featuring photography by Undivided’s Nikki Ormerod, is inspired by the real-life dramas that seem to unfold on an annual basis, from over-cooked birds to explosive deep dryer fires.

“Every year, we see tons of videos across social media documenting dramatic Thanksgiving turkey fails, which can totally ruin the day that some spend months planning,” explains Cindy Marie Navarro, creative director at the agency. “We wanted to capture these exact moments that can trigger so much panic in order to illustrate that KFC is not only a tasty backup plan, but an even better first choice, this holiday season.”

The campaign consists of OOH and social, and is tied to a promotion being offered through the KFC app and its website. Customers who use the code “WEEKEND” from Oct. 6 to Oct. 9 are offered a $5 discount on delivery orders over $25.

“The holidays are an incredibly special time, but they can also be super unpredictable. We loved this idea of remedying those highly stressful images of Thanksgiving disasters with the reassurance that KFC is ready to deliver a delicious, cravable feast when someone needs it most,” says Azim Akhtar, director of marketing for the brand. “It’s a sentiment that’s at the core of our brand’s DNA – we’ve always been there to save the dinner table for families, whether it’s a special occasion or an ordinary weekday.”