In a move that has left fast-food fans and dental hygiene enthusiasts equally stunned, KFC has ventured beyond its iconic buckets of fried chicken to launch a fried chicken-flavoured toothpaste. What began as an April Fool’s Day announcement quickly turned into a real product, and in an even more surprising twist, it sold out in just 48 hours.
Priced at $13 and created in collaboration with oral care brand Hismile, this limited-edition toothpaste promised to bring the “irresistible” taste of KFC’s Original Recipe Chicken to your toothbrush. The internet has been buzzing with reactions, ranging from curiosity to outright disbelief, as consumers scrambled to get their hands on this quirky product.
From Prank to Product: The Origins of KFC’s Toothpaste
KFC’s fried chicken-flavoured toothpaste first made waves on April 1, 2025, when the fast-food giant announced the product in what many assumed was a playful April Fool’s prank. However, KFC quickly clarified that the toothpaste was very real, developed in partnership with Hismile, an Australian oral care brand known for its unconventional flavours like Iced Latte and Red Velvet.
According to Hismile’s website, the toothpaste is infused with KFC’s signature blend of 11 herbs and spices, designed to mimic the experience of biting into a “crispy, hot, juicy piece of KFC Original Recipe Chicken” while leaving your mouth feeling fresh and clean.
The product was marketed as fluoride-free, with claims of “long-lasting oral health benefits,” though dental experts have raised eyebrows at the absence of fluoride, a key ingredient for cavity prevention. Priced at $13 (approximately ₹1,120), the toothpaste was exclusively available on Hismile’s website, with a limited stock that added to its allure.
KFC also introduced a complementary $59 KFC-branded electric toothbrush, featuring soft-tapered bristles and a built-in timer, for those looking to fully embrace the fried chicken brushing experience. The toothpaste came packaged in a KFC-bucket-style container, complete with Colonel Sanders’ branding, adding a touch of novelty that clearly resonated with consumers.
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What makes this launch particularly intriguing is its transformation from a joke to a cultural moment. KFC’s marketing team seized the viral potential of the April Fool’s announcement, turning scepticism into hype. Koban Jones, Hismile’s marketing manager, described the collaboration as “bold, surprising, and incredibly entertaining,” noting that it was one of their most successful limited-edition partnerships to date.
KFC recently introduced a fried chicken-flavored toothpaste.
— Denn Dunham (@DennD68) April 10, 2025
The flavors are “inspired by all of KFC’s 11 herbs and spices,” according to a news release.
“Like biting into a hot, juicy piece of KFC Original Recipe Chicken, this toothpaste is irresistible, coating your teeth in… pic.twitter.com/LRc4SKqqFH
This wasn’t KFC’s first foray into quirky products—past ventures include a UK-exclusive “No. 11 Eau de BBQ” perfume—but the toothpaste’s rapid sellout suggests the brand has tapped into a unique blend of nostalgia, curiosity, and absurdity.
The 48-Hour Frenzy: Why Did It Sell Out So Fast?
The fact that KFC’s fried chicken-flavoured toothpaste sold out in just 48 hours is nothing short of astonishing. Several factors contributed to this frenzy, starting with the product’s sheer novelty. In an era where consumers are bombarded with mundane toothpaste options—mint, charcoal, or whitening—KFC offered something daringly different.
The promise of tasting fried chicken while brushing was both bizarre and irresistible, appealing to foodies, collectors, and social media influencers eager to share their reactions online.
Posts on platforms like Instagram and TikTok amplified the hype, with users unboxing the product and describing its flavour, often with a mix of amusement and confusion. One influencer’s viral video, where they claimed “every part of it tastes like KFC chicken,” garnered thousands of views, further fueling demand.
Limited availability played a significant role in the sellout. By restricting the toothpaste to Hismile’s website and producing only a small batch, KFC and Hismile created a sense of urgency. Scarcity drives desire, and fans who missed out expressed disappointment across social media, with some begging for a restock.
The $13 price point was accessible enough to attract impulse buyers, yet exclusive enough to feel like a special purchase. For many, the toothpaste wasn’t about practical use but about owning a piece of pop culture history—a novelty item to display or gift rather than brush with daily.
Social media sentiment also reveals the polarising nature of the product. While some users celebrated the creativity, others were less convinced. Comments like “We asked for wedges and hot wings, not toothpaste” and “Who wants fried chicken breath 24/7?” reflected a divide between KFC loyalists and sceptics.
Yet, even the naysayers contributed to the conversation, keeping the product trending online. The sellout wasn’t just about demand for the toothpaste itself but about the cultural moment it created—a testament to KFC’s ability to generate buzz in unexpected ways.
What’s Next? The Bigger Picture of Quirky Branding
The success of KFC’s fried chicken-flavoured toothpaste raises fascinating questions about the future of branding and consumer behaviour. In a crowded market, brands are increasingly turning to unconventional products to stand out, and KFC’s venture is a prime example.
By blending fast food with personal care, the company challenged norms and sparked dialogue, proving that even a seemingly absurd idea can capture attention if executed well. This move aligns with a broader trend of “experience-driven” marketing, where the goal is to create memorable moments rather than just sell products. Whether consumers actually used the toothpaste or simply bought it for the bragging rights, KFC achieved its aim of staying relevant.
The sellout also highlights the power of collaboration. Hismile’s expertise in playful oral care products paired perfectly with KFC’s bold brand identity, creating a synergy that resonated with younger audiences. This isn’t the first time fast-food chains have experimented with non-food items—Burger King’s past April Fool’s pranks include a “Whopper toothpaste” concept—but KFC’s ability to turn a gag into a sold-out reality sets a new benchmark.
It’s worth noting, however, that the lack of fluoride in the toothpaste has drawn criticism from dental professionals, who warn that novelty shouldn’t compromise oral health. This critique could influence future iterations if KFC and Hismile decide to restock.
Looking ahead, the toothpaste’s success opens the door for more offbeat KFC products. Could we see fried chicken-scented deodorant or gravy-flavoured lip balm? While such ideas sound far-fetched, the toothpaste’s 48-hour sellout suggests there’s an appetite for the unexpected.
For now, fans who missed out can still purchase the $59 KFC electric toothbrush, though it lacks the viral appeal of its toothpaste counterpart. Hismile has remained tight-lipped about restocking plans, but the online clamour indicates demand remains high. The bigger question is whether this is a one-off stunt or the start of a new era for KFC’s brand experimentation.
KFC’s fried chicken-flavoured toothpaste may be one of the most bizarre products to hit the market in 2025, but its rapid sellout proves there’s a method to the madness. From its prank-inspired origins to the social media frenzy it ignited, this toothpaste has become more than a dental product—it’s a cultural phenomenon.
Whether you’re intrigued, amused, or downright baffled, one thing is clear: KFC knows how to keep us talking. As we await news of a potential restock or the next quirky launch, the fried chicken toothpaste saga reminds us that in today’s world, even brushing your teeth can be an adventure. What do you think—would you have snagged a tube, or is this a flavour best left on the plate?