That’s one way to start a college fund! KFC offered to pay $11,000 worth of college tuition to the first child named after the chain’s founder — and one couple came through!
I’m as pleased as pumpkin punch to announce the winner of our Baby Harland Naming Contest and the Harland who will be ushering in an all-new generation of Harlands, little Harland Rose. pic.twitter.com/wI2SNshsZ6
— KFC (@kfc) October 30, 2018
Harland Sanders — named after Colonel Harland Sanders, who founded the franchise in 1952 — was born on September 9 and will be called “Harley.” The Twitter account for KFC announced the winner of the contest on Tuesday, October 30: “I’m as pleased as pumpkin punch to announce the winner of our Baby Harland Naming Contest and the Harland who will be ushering in an all-new generation of Harlands, little Harland Rose.”
Of course, people had reactions — and most of them were positive! One person wrote, “Beautiful baby. And, what an important person to be named after. I would be very proud to have that awesome, unique name.”
However, there were some skeptics. One Twitter user commented, “Pffft! She was named after a fried chicken joint!” which prompted a reasonable response from another: “She was not named after a fried chicken joint; she was named after one of the greatest entrepreneurs of all time. I would consider it an honor.”
According to USA Today, KFC came up with the challenge in an effort to boost the popularity of the name Harland. The franchise announced the initiative in August via Twitter, writing, “It’s a great name for your baby. Just say it out loud. Harland. Plus, your greatly named kid could get $11,000 for college.” The only requirement? That the child be born on the Colonel’s birthday: September 9.
