Taco Bell’s Super Bowl ad features photos of customers from across the country, including Wauchula FL

Taco Bell’s Super Bowl commercial featured photos of Taco Bell customers from around the country, including photos of people from Wauchula, Florida…one of LVE’s stores! Taco Bell put up drive-thru cameras at the end of last year to snap photos of customers for them to use in the ad. More than 3,000 people were snapped by the camera with around 400 making the final cut.

“Big Game commercials tend to only lean on big-name celebrities, but we decided to flip the approach knowing very well the best Taco Bell moments don’t need a script,” said Taylor Montgomery, Taco Bell chief marketing officer, in a statement. “Our fans bring incredible Live Más spirit to the drive-thru every day, with families, pets, and celebrations in tow, so we’re putting them in the spotlight as a reminder that the most authentic representation of our brand isn’t staged—it’s lived.”

The drive-thru cameras were put up in Wauchula for three days in December. The other cities that also had drive-through cameras were Los Angeles; Cookeville, Tennessee; Middleburg Heights, Ohio; and Houston.

Introducing the Call of Duty Bribe Bucket from KFC

Capitalizing on Call of Duty’s proximity chat—a voice feature that lets players talk, joke, or trick their opponents —the campaign invites gamers to barter for mercy by offering up KFC vouchers in exchange for being spared. When seconds count, a bucket of finger-lickin’ chicken could be the difference between a crushing defeat and a triumphant comeback.

The campaign’s launch kicked off with a TikTok film, urging fans to repost and receive KFC vouchers. The vouchers, in turn, become an in-game bargaining chip. Players will be testing their luck: some bribes are accepted, some aren’t—but the chicken is always taken.

To further spark engagement, KFC is delivering limited-edition “Bribe Buckets” to influencers and gamers, complete with sleek briefcases to match the campaign’s undercover vibe. Streamers, too, are joining in, sharing moments where the offer of a KFC voucher sways an enemy from pulling the trigger.

Taco Bell names North America president

Meghan Farren, who has spent 10 years at KFC U.K. and Ireland, will take over the position from Scott Mezvinsky, who was promoted to KFC U.S. CEO. Farren will oversee a business that is well positioned for further sales and growth in the U.S. and is one of parent company Yum’s biggest growth drivers. Taco Bell posted a 4% increase in same-store sales in the U.S. in Q3 while many other U.S. chains faltered.

Yum! Brands promotes Taco Bell president to lead KFC Division

Yum! Brands, Inc. announced the promotion of a new CEO for the KFC Division. Scott Mezvinsky, 49, was promoted to CEO of the KFC Division. He will report to Yum! Brands CEO David Gibbs effective March 1, 2025. Mezvinsky has worked for Yum! Brands, Inc. for 20 years and currently serves as president of Taco Bell North America and International. He will succeed Sabir Sami, who is stepping down as KFC CEO at the end of February. Mezvinsky has served as Taco Bell’s Global Chief Strategy and Financial Officer.

KFC launches new chicken tender restaurant specializing in sauces

KFC has unveiled “Saucy,” a new restaurant concept that opened its first location in Orlando, Florida, on December 23, 2024. This innovative establishment centers on crispy chicken tenders paired with an extensive selection of 11 signature sauces, offering a diverse and customizable dining experience.

The 11 sauce options are:

– Chimichurri Ranch
– Peri Peri Ranch
– Jalapeño Pesto Ranch
– Smokey Bacon Ranch
– Thai Sweet ‘N Spicy
– Sweet ‘N Saucy BBQ
– Saucy’s Sauce
– Spicy Mango Chutney
– Saucy Ranch
– Creole Honey Mustard
– Sweet Teriyaki

These flavors range from traditional favorites like Sweet ‘N Saucy BBQ to more adventurous options such as Thai Sweet ‘N Spicy and Spicy Mango Chutney.

In addition to the chicken tenders and sauces, the menu features:

– Toasted Hawaiian rolls
– Crinkle-cut fries
– Coleslaw
– Chicken sandwiches
– Desserts like chocolate mousse cake and key lime cake

The restaurant’s design departs from KFC’s traditional red and white, embracing vibrant pinks, purples, and oranges to create a modern and inviting atmosphere.

Saucy also offers a variety of beverages, including:

– Passion Fruit + Orange + Guava Refresher
– Hot Honey Watermelon Refresher
– Peach-Mango Lemonade
– Peach-Mango Lemonade Freeze
– Blue Raspberry Freeze
– Tropical Black Tea
– Classic Iced Tea

The Orlando location features modern amenities such as ordering kiosks, a spacious dining area, and a drive-thru.

KFC plans to expand the Saucy concept to additional locations across the country, though specific details and timelines have yet to be announced.

KFC Turns Iconic Chicken Bucket Lid Into Playable Vinyl Record

KFC is giving away vinyl records as a way to drum up business throughout the holiday season. Coming into 2024, vinyl record sales had been on an upswing even overtaking CDs for most sales at one point. Recent trends show the two might be nearly neck-and-neck once again, but that hasn’t stopped KFC from using vinyl records to get people excited about its buckets of chicken. In a social media-based promotion unveiled this week, KFC announced it is giving away bucket toppers that double as playable vinyl records. Each record contains a collection of Kentucky Fried Carols including “Jingle Bells,” “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” and “Deck The Halls.” The record is actually printed on paper lids like the ones you’d find on its buckets of chicken. The lids were then covered in a vinyl coating and etched to create the a playable record. Currently the records are only available to Canadian residents.

Selena and Benny’s Taco Bell Engagement Picnic

Was Selena Gomez’s engagement to Benny Blanco sponsored by Taco Bell? Because there are elements of her proposal pictures she posted to Instagram that are giving off a certain “brand partnership” quality. A picture was taken on what appears to be an indoor set, made to look like a picnic, with artfully arranged Taco Bell takeout boxes next to the picnic basket. In the photo, Gomez, wearing a fuzzy fashion-Yeti top, appears to be admiring her new engagement ring but said nothing about the fast food merch beside her. Taco Bell might actually have a romantic personal meaning for the couple. As Blanco related to People, Taco Bell is Gomez’s favorite food, and he even learned how to recreate the fast food chain’s distinctive meat so that he could make her homemade Taco Bell. Maybe Taco Bell has a new romance-themed campaign coming up, and Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco opted to become a part of that in a major way.

KFC Puts Build-A-Bears in Chicken-Inspired Outfits This Holiday Season

Beloved global toy brand Build-A-Bear Workshop has just announced a finger-lickin’ good collaboration with KFC that’s inspired by the chain’s red-and-white striped bucket. Together, the two iconic brands will combine a lovable plush toy and America’s favorite comfort food for an adorable range of outfits and accessories. With the aim of celebrating togetherness this holiday season, the new collection will let children dress their plush companions exclusively at Build-A-Bear workshops and on the brand’s website. It includes:

  • The KFC Bucket Costume
  • The KFC Pajama Outfit
  • The KFC Plush Chicken Wristie

Taco Bell Foundation Announces Opening Of Live Más Scholarship

The Taco Bell Foundation is excited to announce the 10th annual opening of the Live Más Scholarship application. In 2025, the Foundation will be distributing up to $14 million to fuel the future for passionate students aged 16 to 26, a significant increase from the $10 million awarded last year. Open to Taco Bell Team Members and customers alike, submitting a two-minute video could earn students up to $25,000 in scholarship funds towards their education. This opportunity is designed for those who dare to dream big and challenge the status quo, embodying the true essence of a cultural rebel.

The Live Más Scholarship has come a long way, boasting a scholar community of nearly 3,000 students and contributing over $50 million in funds. But this program offers more than just financial support; scholars forge lifelong friendships with like-minded peers and gain connections to mentors, professional opportunities, exclusive networking events, an annual conference and more. This year’s increased funding from the Foundation provides more opportunities than ever for students to follow their passions through education and achieve their dream careers.

Taco Bell Is Getting Into the Chicken Nugget Game

Taco Bell is entering new territory by adding chicken nuggets to the menu. The new “crispy chicken nuggets” will consist of white meat marinated in a mild jalapeño buttermilk and coated in a breading made with crunchy tortilla bits. The nuggets will come with choice of three dipping sauces: jalapeño honey mustard, cheddar cheese sauce, and its special “bell sauce.” The Bell sauce is a “savory and tangy sauce that presents ‘subtle notes of chili peppers.’ ” The crispy nuggets were tested in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 2023 and Houston, Texas, earlier in 2024. They are expected to be released for a limited time starting December 19.