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KFC Canada x Matty Matheson: Key Findings
Campaign Snapshot
Matty Matheson is spearheading KFC Canada's latest campaign, and he's not just serving face.
He’s also working as the creative force shaping new food offerings and a message.
Launched on January 19, KFC Canada partnered with the celebrity chef for a special, limited-time menu, keeping prices approachable.
From Matty Melt Sliders to the over-the-top Matty Mega Melt Poutine, the campaign combines the chef's unapologetically bold, comfort-food style with KFC’s signature fried chicken.
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And it's all designed to heighten your cravings.
“This menu combines my KFC favorites cranked all the way up, and I’m stoked that I get to share it with everyone,” Matheson said in a statement.
“We’re piling cheese, caramelized onions, fried chicken, everything you love to make a few fire menu items. Fill your boots!”
The fast-food chain leaned into Matheson’s authentic Canadian voice, making him a true creative partner and not just any celebrity endorser.
"Together, we pushed this menu to the edge with indulgent, crave-worthy creations that feel unmistakably Canadian," Jordan Sequeira, senior marketing manager at KFC Canada, shared.
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Apart from the sliders and poutine, the menu also includes the Matty Melt Sandwich and the Matty Mega Feast.
Additionally, KFC will be dropping weekly secret menu items through its mobile app, giving fans exclusive access to new creations.
The combination of classic comfort flavours with app-led exclusives shows that KFC isn't fooling around, creating exciting menu items and pushing them through with modern brand activations.
It's Matheson's Time
The new menu was announced in a hero spot created in collaboration with agency Courage, starring Matheson himself in a game of poker with Colonel Sanders.
"Like what you got, Matty?" Sanders asks, putting his KFC leadership on the line.
As soon as "The Bear" star reveals his cards, the game is over, and the star barges into the KFC kitchen to concoct his new menu items.
The spot ends with Sanders entering his own restaurant, admiring Matheson's creations.
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Apart from the ad, KFC is transforming its flagship downtown Toronto location at 1221 Dundas St. W into “Matty’s KFC” on January 26.
From 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M., fans can experience the menu with bold visuals, free food, and the chance to meet Matheson in person during the first hour.
This experiential marketing element ties the campaign to tangible moments, exciting customers beyond their screens.
The menu is available nationwide at participating KFC locations and through the KFC app.
Why KFC Canada’s Chef-Led Menu Should Inspire You
KFC Canada’s work with Matheson highlights how authentic partnerships can boost a brand's relevance and introduce new cravings customers might not know they'd need.
- Giving creative control to a cultural figure is something audiences can easily sense and be appreciative of. That's why it strengthens local engagement and trust.
- Limited-time menu items paired with app-first activations keep the hype going long after the launch.
- Experiential moments like pop-up restaurant activations strengthen and deepen the connection with fans.
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Founded by Colonel Harland Sanders in 1952, KFC is one of the world’s largest and most recognizable chicken restaurant chains.
Its frequent high-profile brand collaborations and menu updates help it stay culturally relevant while keeping attention on the core product that built its scale.
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Giving Matty real influence over the menu and campaign turns what could have been a routine celebrity endorsement into something people can experience and taste.
His bold branding and authentic self-expression make QSR campaigns like this feel alive.
And with Matheson's willingness to engage with fans directly, they maintain the fun that defines both him and KFC.
It's proof that personality-led campaigns can bring something new to the table, literally.
Did You Know? This is Matheson's second time collaborating with the KFC brand.
Their first one served as a comeback campaign for the legacy fast food chain in an effort to reintroduce the "Original Recipe" to fans.
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