Still Fresh at 65: KFC Continues Colonel Sanders' Tradition of 'A Cook in Every Kitchen'

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Jan. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- When Colonel Harland Sanders stopped by one of his Kentucky Fried Chicken locations during thousands of restaurant visits, his employees knew he'd spend a lot of time in their kitchens. Because while the Colonel was world-famous as the spokesman for KFC, he was first and foremost a cook. Sixty-five years after the Colonel invented the Original Recipe(R), if you visit a restaurant that bears his likeness, you'll still find a cook in the kitchen preparing fresh KFC Original Recipe chicken on the bone.

To preserve the Colonel's legacy and strict standards of buying and freshly preparing chicken, KFC employs a dedicated, trained cook in each of the kitchens of the chain's 5,300-plus restaurants nationwide. And while that "fresh" news is a point of differentiation between KFC and many of its competitors, today there is even more news coming from the KFC kitchen: the company has completed its menu makeover and all KFC menu items contain zero grams trans fat per serving.

"KFC has always had a cook in every kitchen serving up KFC Original Recipe chicken on the bone that is delivered and cooked fresh," said Doug Hasselo, chief food innovation officer for KFC. "Our new ad campaign reminds America of our commitment to preparing finger-lickin' good meals for the whole family. And now our entire menu is zero grams trans fat per serving."

Fresh New Ads Focus on Fresh Original Recipe Chicken on the Bone, Hand Preparation

The new ads showcasing the "Fresh Tastes Best" campaign focus on the brand's fresh Original Recipe chicken on the bone prepared by a trained cook in every KFC restaurant. While most people know the signature taste of the Colonel's Original Recipe, not everyone knows that KFC restaurants receive shipments of fresh chicken on the bone throughout the week. The highly trained cooks then hand-bread the chicken using the secret blend of herbs and spices before placing it in the pressure cooker. It's the same recipe and process perfected by the Colonel himself.

"As a KFC cook for nearly 18 years, I've continued the Colonel's tradition of serving my customers KFC Original Recipe chicken on the bone that is delivered and prepared fresh," said cook Tiffany Bakken at the Fort Dodge, Iowa KFC. "While other chains say they make fresh meals, I've experienced firsthand that KFC maintains the highest standards by serving fresh KFC Original Recipe chicken on the bone prepared by a trained cook in our restaurants across the country."

Zero Grams Trans Fat Per Serving

In April 2007, KFC became one of the first restaurant companies to complete a transition to a zero grams trans fat per serving cooking oil for its signature fried chicken products and potato wedges. While the large majority of the menu was impacted by the change in cooking oil at that time, a few menu items required additional reformulation to complete the transition. With the introduction of the Fresh Tastes Best campaign, KFC also completes its menu transformation with all menu items now containing zero grams trans fat per serving. Mac and cheese, biscuits and chicken potpie have joined the other finger lickin' favorites offering zero grams trans fat per serving while staying true to the flavorful and home-style taste KFC fans love.

Unbeatable Feast for an Unbeatable Price

KFC's Unbeatable Feast is an affordable family dinner solution for five for only $3 per person. It includes everything needed for a family meal: 10 pieces of Original Recipe chicken, two family-size orders of mashed potatoes with gravy, one large order of coleslaw and five biscuits for $14.99. KFC is committed to offering a wide variety of finger lickin' good choices with zero grams trans fat per serving at unbeatable prices.

Visit http://www.KFC.com for specific details about KFC's Unbeatable Feast, zero grams trans fat per serving menu and additional information on KFC. KFC's "Fresh" claim is applicable to its Original Recipe thighs, drumsticks, breasts and wings. Not applicable in Alaska, Hawaii and due to supply outages.

About KFC

KFC Corporation, based in Louisville, Ky., is the world's most popular chicken restaurant chain specializing in Original Recipe(R), Extra Crispy(TM) and Original Recipe Strips with home-style sides, Honey BBQ Wings, and freshly made chicken sandwiches. There are more than 14,000 KFC outlets in more than 80 countries and territories around the world, serving some 12 million customers each day. KFC Corporation is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., Louisville, Ky. .

Contacts: Rick Maynard 502-874-8100 rick.maynard@kfc.com Julie Arends 312-988-2381 jarends@webershandwick.com

KFC Corporation

CONTACT: Rick Maynard of KFC Corporation, +1-502-874-8100,
rick.maynard@kfc.com ; or Julie Arends, +1-312-988-2381,
jarends@webershandwick.com , for KFC Corporation

Web site: http://www.KFC.com/