LOUISVILLE, Ky., Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- This morning
Kentucky Fried Chicken's Colonel Harland
Sanders announced the formation of the first professional
football team fueled by fried chicken, the Kentucky Buckets. Actor,
comedian and writer Rob Riggle has
been named Coach Colonel and will star in advertisements as the
coach of the very real Kentucky Buckets.
"As owner, general manager, head coach, defensive coordinator,
offensive coordinator, marketing director, groundskeeper and
scouting director of America's newest professional football team,
the Kentucky Buckets, I've got one goal in mind," said Coach
Colonel Rob Riggle. "To get buckets
of delicious chicken across the goal line and in front of millions
of fans on football Sundays. And Thursdays. And Mondays."
Taking the field in red-and-white striped jerseys, the Colonel's
famous string ties and white helmets graced by delicious fried
chicken, the Buckets are embodiment of America's finest gameday
fare. When Colonel Coach Riggle dons his headset on the sidelines,
he will be joined by his squad, Buckets cheerleaders and "Mr.
Bucketeer" the mascot.
A retired Lt. Colonel in the United
States Marine Corps Reserve, Riggle is the first actual
colonel to take on the role of KFC's famous founder, Colonel
Sanders. In other striking biographical similarities, Riggle hails
from Louisville, KY, the home of
KFC since 1966.
"Rob Riggle was the obvious
choice for those on the internet calling for us to use the real
Kentucky Colonel in our ads," said Kevin
Hochman, Chief Marketing Officer for KFC U.S. "He was born
in Louisville, Kentucky and served
our country as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Marines. It
doesn't get any more real than that."
Fans can visit KentuckyBuckets.tumblr.com to learn more about
the Kentucky Buckets and their training regimen, which includes
hand breading and freshly preparing fried chicken, just as the
cooks at KFC restaurants do every day. Fans are encouraged to take
to the road to support America's new team and get a taste of the
team's favorite pre-game meal: a $20
Fill Up™. With more than 20 million $20 Fill Ups sold since their rookie debut last
fall, $20 Fill Ups have won over
America's heart one bucket of juicy Kentucky Fried Chicken at a
time. Along with the Kentucky Buckets' debut, KFC is introducing an
Extra Crispy Tenders $20 Fill Up
featuring 12 Extra Crispy Tenders, a large cole slaw, two large
mashed potatoes and gravy and four biscuits.
As all professional sports teams do, The Kentucky Buckets and
Colonel Coach Rob Riggle will appear
on FOX NFL KICKOFF. Though Riggle and his Buckets will forgo any on
field action and instead appear in a series of promos with
Cooper Manning during the one-hour
program hosted by Charissa Thompson
with analysts Colin Cowherd,
Dave Wannstedt and Charles Tillman.
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 nearly 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).
Media Contact
Kasey
Mathes
502-874-8100
Kasey.Mathes@yum.com
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SOURCE KFC