Rob Lowe Is KFC's Newest Colonel Sanders And We Review Some Of This Delicious Franchise History

There are few things on earth as good as KFC, with their delicious fried chicken variety and dishes. The fact that they’re one of the most delicious places has taken them to expand their domain to new frontiers. As they try to take their amazing flavor to space on their new commercial.

The multimillion dollar chicken corporation started their own space race. Trying to be the first fast-food chain that gets there. All of it presented in a very clever and funny way, as Rob Lowe plays the iconic Colonel Sanders. But as we watch Lowe turn into the colonel, we review a bit of the history behind the southern gentleman.

Same old Colonel but with improved flavor

The name “Colonel Sanders” is not only one of the most popular ones around the world. It’s also a synonym of delicious flavor. The image of the classical southern old-style gentleman in a white suit has become one of the world’s most recognized images. As he has become literally the face on every bucket of KFC ever been served.

First of all the Colonel was real. Harland David Sanders was born in 1890 Kentucky. He became an honorary Kentucky Colonel in 1935 by Governor Ruby Laffoon. All of it five years before he completed and began selling his famous “secret recipe” chicken, that would later become KFC. The practical businessman used his innate understanding of how his business should run, built his chicken franchise into a national success by 1960s. As he cashed it out in 1964 and got into a semi-retirement.

But the Colonel never really left KFC. Since in the terms the buying of his company stated that the image of Sanders would continue to appear, as the company’s mascot. This is why they placed him on the image in all KFC products and consequently in TV commercials, until his death in 1980. As the figure and image of the become forever the face of the chicken brand.

Then on 2015, KFC revived the Colonel as a character. Something that has generated some polemic. For some, the move was wrong due to the turning of Sanders figure into a cartoonish spokesperson. But for Sanders family, this wasn’t the case. As they even praised Darrell Hammond’s performance. Who was the first guy who played the Colonel after he passed away.

KFC’s on a new mission

But besides Hammond, many have played the iconic Colonel Sanders in recent years. Reaching a total of seven celebrities who have played the southern gentleman. Including the likes of Jim Gaffigan, Billy Zane, George Hamilton, Vincent Kartheiser, Norm McDonald and now Lowe. The actor will begin to portrait the figure of Colonel Sanders, as they promote KFC’s Zinger chicken sandwich. As the 53-years old actor, who has played roles in “Parks and Recreations,” “The West Wing,” “Brothers and Sisters” and “St. Elmo’s Fire,” is now exploring the fast food world.

For Lowe, the role has an emotional factor, as he had the chance to met the real Colonel Sanders. “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”.

Lowe, who has previously done commercials for DIRECTV, is now promoting the spicy Zinger sandwich, that will be re-released on Monday in the United States. After spending 33-years away from the market. In the ad, we watch Lowe who gets into the podium wearing a space-suit as he gives a funny revisit to the space race topic. While explaining that the mission of KFC is not only to be delicious but also to break boundaries. “Not because it’s easy, but because it’s hard,” as the in role Sanders/Lowe also states that “The time has come to explore beyond our known horizons”.

In the video, which is filled with humor Lowe asks “Can you actually launch KFC’s world-famous Zinger chicken sandwich into space?” while whispering that they must because “We certainly hope so. Our entire marketing campaign depends on it”. So they will work hard to take their tasty chicken to space. As he makes a very odd, and a bit kinky, promise if they “But when we succeed, we will lick our fingers. We will lick our fingers good”. The commercial ends wrapping it all perfectly while drawing a smile on us, as we really hope the new crazy Colonel Sanders achieve his difficult mission.

Something that Kevin Hochman, KFC’s U.S. president and chief concept officer, hopes as well. Even though he has no idea how he will achieve it. “I have no idea how we’ll launch a chicken sandwich into space, but the marketing team thinks they can do it. What I do know, is the Zinger is the bestselling KFC chicken sandwich in 120 countries and it’s now available in America.”

The Colonel has a big announcement. It’s about KFC’s new Zinger chicken sandwich. And $5 Fill Ups. And space. You know what? Just watch it. pic.twitter.com/PPij6Yyhzm

— KFC (@kfc) April 21, 2017