News

KFC 'Pez-ifies' the Colonel

Photo: Provided

October 23, 2019

Prepare for more adult theft from kids' trick-or-treat bags this year, thanks to the latest goofy, but most assuredly trendy Colonel Sanders Pez candy dispenser from the pop culture masterminds at Kentucky Fried Chicken and the collectibles company, Funko: The Colonel Sanders Pop! Pez features KFC's founder's trademark white hair and black-rimmed glasses on a plastic head atop the candy-dispensing gadget, a news release said.

Pez dispensers are wildly popular as collectible and even antique toys, with other renditions featuring the likes of everyone from Daniel Boone to Bilbo Baggins, so it was time the Colonel started dispensing the sweet candy bricks as well. Though some older versions of the candy dispenser have sold for more than $10,000, the Colonel Sanders Pop! Pez dispenser is going for $5.99 on Amazon.com and retailers like Barnes & Noble for a limited time. 

"Pez dispensers are as iconic as the Colonel and his signature white suit," said KFC U.S. CMO Andrea Zahumensky, in the release. "Now, even the Colonel will be giving out candy this Halloween."

Actually, another Colonel Sanders candy dispenser prototype was created for a potential promotion in the early 1990s, with only two known to exist today. The new Funko versions give many more a crack at a potentially valuable toy in 50 to 100 years from now.