KFC launches fried chicken fragrance emulating its iconic 11-spice blend

30 Nov 2023 --- KFC capitalizes on the classic aroma of its top secret 11-spice fried chicken recipe in a limited edition fragrance launch, available to customers in Spain as an add-on purchase at their fast-food outlets. 

The Eau D’uardo perfume references a viral internet meme started by Spanish KFC’s marketing team in Christmas 2021 that ascribes Spanish names to mundane objects, like “Eduardo” to a chicken drumstick, which then became a Christmas ornament — an item after which the fragrance packaging was modeled.

While its advertising alludes to fragrance notes inspired by the classic Colonel Sanders’ blend of spices, Eau D’uardo is noted for its essences of geranium, mandarin, bergamot and a hint of pink pepper.

“It is the scent of an icon,” remarks Rubén Sánchez, creative director of PS21.

Madrid agency PS21 (Jungle) produced a video campaign shot in the dunes of Macaronesia to accompany the launch (Image credit: KFC).The fragrance formula harkens to KFC New Zealand’s Valentine’s Day fragrance gift launch earlier this year, which was named No.11 Eu De Colonel and infused “top notes of spicy black pepper, sage and botanical extracts.”

A video campaign parodying luxury perfume ads accompanies the launch. It was created by Madrid agency PS21 (Jungle) and directed by Curro Urellana. 

Shot in the dunes of Macaronesia, the advertisement features models in golden brown suits play-fighting and dancing around a bottle of Eau D’uardo sticking out of the sand.

Even in its satirical debut, KFC's limited edition fried chicken perfume is unveiled at a time when many luxury beauty brands are feeling the impact of high inflation. Fine fragrances have been a silver lining though, helping boost balance sheets with “particularly strong” growth, as noted by scent house Givaudan.

Colonel Sanders’ cosmetics
This is not KFC’s first leap out of the fryer. Promoting SPF protection from “crispy” summer skin, the fast-food giant released a limited run of Extra Crisp fried chicken-scented sunscreen in 2016. 

The “overwhelming” consumer response likely incentivized the fast-food giant to launch the fragrance this year. Initially, KFC promised 3,000 bottles of Extra Crisp sunblock, but 9,000 bottles were requested in two hours, with 5,000 of those requests in the final ten minutes.

“We had no idea there would be such a demand for fried chicken-scented sunscreen,” said Kevin Hochman, chief marketing officer for KFC US, at the time of launch.

At the Parisian tea room Opéra, Cédric Grolet unveiled an egg-shaped delicacy, paying homage to La Prairie’s cult-favorite caviar skin cream (Image credit: La Prairie).In early 2019, the fast food chain released gravy scented candles, communicating on X: “Whilst this candle does include some of our infamous gravy, we wouldn’t advise actually eating it.”

The delectable convergence of traditional F&B with the beauty space hasn’t stopped there. Last month, pastry chef and Instagram influencer Cédric Grolet, introduced his inaugural savory creation in collaboration with the Swiss luxury skin care brand La Prairie. 

At the Parisian tea room Opéra, Grolet unveiled an egg-shaped delicacy, paying homage to La Prairie’s cult-favorite caviar skin cream. The creation features caviar-infused pastry with a soft yolk center, encased in a white cheese bellini and topped with caviar.

Typically known for his sweet confectionery expertise, Grolet showcased the making of the lavish “Oeuf Caviar” (caviar egg) through a video that accumulated 270,000 likes on Instagram and 3 million views on TikTok.

By Benjamin Ferrer