KFC Explores The Final Frontier With Colonel Rob Lowe

Brand recruits Hollywood legend to launch new Zinger spicy chicken sandwich into space

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Apr 21, 2017, 08:59 ET

LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- KFC has enlisted actor, writer and producer Rob Lowe as the newest celebrity Colonel to play the brand's iconic founder, Colonel Harland Sanders. Aligning with the debut of the spicy, crispy and hand-breaded Zinger sandwich in America, the Hollywood funny man will appear in advertisements in a spacesuit to make the world-famous Zinger literally out of this world.

KFC has enlisted actor, writer and producer Rob Lowe as the newest celebrity Colonel to play the brand’s iconic founder, Colonel Harland Sanders and to launch the KFC Zinger sandwich in the U.S. (and space).

The KFC Zinger is a 100 percent chicken breast filet, double hand-breaded and fried to a golden brown by trained cooks in every KFC kitchen, and served with lettuce and Colonel’s mayonnaise on a toasted sesame seed bun.

KFC revealed Lowe as the new Colonel under the helmet, following teasers posted on the brand's social media channels. Beginning April 23, Lowe will be featured in a campaign centered on launching the delicious Zinger chicken sandwich into space this summer (details of which will be revealed later this spring).

"My grandfather was the head of the Ohio chapter of the National Restaurant Association in the 1960s and took me to meet Colonel Harland Sanders when I was a kid. It was a big deal. I thought this would be a nice homage to both Colonel Sanders and to my grandfather," said Lowe. "Plus, we're sending the Zinger chicken sandwich to space. You kind of can't beat that."

Offering quality taste that you can't get anywhere else, the Zinger is made The Hard Way with a 100 percent white meat breast filet, hand-breaded and fried to a golden brown by trained cooks in every KFC kitchen, and served with lettuce and Colonel's mayonnaise on a toasted sesame seed bun.

"I have no idea how we'll launch a chicken sandwich into space, but the marketing team thinks they can do it," said Kevin Hochman, KFC U.S. president and chief concept officer. "What I do know, is the Zinger is the bestselling KFC chicken sandwich in 120 countries and it's now available in America."

With an astronomical fan following across the world, the Zinger travels to the U.S. on April 24, available at participating restaurants as an individual sandwich ($3.99) or as a $5 Fill Up meal (prices may vary; tax extra). The Zinger $5 Fill Up includes a freshly-prepared Zinger sandwich, wedges, a medium drink and a chocolate chip cookie — an exceptional value.

About KFC
KFC Corporation, based in Louisville, Ky., is the world's most popular chicken restaurant chain. KFC specializes in Original Recipe^®, Extra Crispy™, Kentucky Grilled Chicken^® and Extra Crispy™ Tenders, Hot Wings™, Go Cups, KFC Famous Bowls^®, Pot Pies, freshly hand prepared chicken sandwiches, biscuits and homestyle side items. There are over 20,000 KFC outlets in more than 125 countries and territories around the world. KFC Corporation is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., Louisville, Ky. (NYSE: YUM). For more information, visit www.kfc.com. Follow KFC on Facebook (www.facebook.com/kfc), Twitter (www.twitter.com/kfc) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/KFC).

SOURCE KFC