America, the Colonel wants you back—and he’s bringing a bucket of crispy, golden goodness to prove it. KFC is officially entering its comeback era, and it’s starting with a mouthwatering offer: a free bucket of its world-famous fried chicken. As part of its bold new “Come Back” campaign, the fast-food chain is calling on former fans and curious newcomers alike to rediscover what made KFC a household favorite. Keep reading to find out how you can claim this delicious deal and fall in love with KFC all over again.
Why KFC Is Handing Out Free Buckets of Chicken
KFC’s latest move isn’t just about free food—it’s about showing customers how much things have improved. Behind the scenes, the brand has been fine-tuning its kitchens, focusing on better flavor, faster service, and a fresher overall experience. The goal? Make every bite of chicken as good as you remember—or better.
With renewed attention to its Original Recipe roots, KFC is going back to what made it famous: hand-breaded chicken, cooked fresh daily with the Colonel’s signature blend of 11 herbs and spices. It’s a simple promise, and now the chain is inviting everyone to taste the results.
“We’re well aware of the latest fried chicken rankings and I’m fired up to launch a bold Kentucky Fried Comeback and remind America exactly who we are. If people can give their ex a million second chances, I hope our fans can give us one,” said Catherine Tan-Gillespie, President, KFC U.S. “By listening to our customers and addressing feedback, we’ll reclaim our rightful place in the fried chicken game we started. Come back and give us a shot—your first bucket’s on us.”
With this campaign, KFC isn’t changing what works—it’s simply doubling down on the flavor and quality fans know and love, while making it easier than ever to come back for more.
How to Score a Free Bucket of Chicken from KFC
Getting your hands on a free bucket of eight-piece chicken or tenders is simple, but there are a few things to know. The “Free Bucket On Us” deal is available exclusively through KFC.com or the KFC app, and you’ll need to place an order of $15 or more (before taxes and fees) while logged into your KFC Rewards account.
Once you’ve added your items, make sure to apply the offer before checkout—it won’t be added automatically. After you’ve enjoyed your meal, KFC is inviting customers to share their thoughts by filling out a short feedback form on its website.
Just a heads-up: the promotion can’t be combined with other offers, and customers are still responsible for taxes and applicable fees.
KFC spokesperson Maria Schmitz confirmed to USA TODAY that this finger-lickin’ deal is available for a limited time only and ends August 24.
What to Try with Your Free Bucket? Meet KFC’s Kentucky Fried Pickles
While you’re picking up that free bucket of chicken, there’s another crave-worthy item to check out. KFC’s new Kentucky Fried Pickles are crispy, golden pickle chips coated in the Colonel’s signature seasoned breading and fried to perfection.
Introduced as a limited-time menu item, the pickles are part of KFC’s broader “comeback” campaign and were launched alongside the “Free Bucket On Us” promotion. They also reflect a growing trend in fast food, with KFC joining competitors like Popeyes and Sonic in tapping into the pickle craze. Tangy, crunchy, and bold, these fried pickles are the perfect sidekick to your comeback meal—just don’t wait too long, because, like the free bucket deal, they’re only around for a limited time.
Source: USA Today