Cody Murphy was born in a parking lot, and KFC is treating it like the best marketing move it never made.
Murphy, 33, and her partner Stephen Kirby, 32, were heading back to the hospital in Bromsgrove, England, on August 29 when Murphy’s contractions accelerated. They pulled into a KFC parking lot at around 9 pm, and Kirby got out to catch the baby as he came out of the car. Cody was born at 9:35 pm; paramedics arrived five minutes later to take the family to the hospital.
The baby weighed 7.5 lbs and was declared healthy. The couple named him Colonel Cody, a nod to KFC founder Colonel Harland Sanders. The chain has now responded by sending the family branded gifts, merch and vouchers.
The Birth
Murphy and Kirby had visited the hospital earlier that day after she started contracting, but were sent home at around 4 pm because it was too early. Their 30-minute drive back to the hospital ended at the KFC parking lot.
Murphy told The Sun that the moment was sudden. “As we turned into the car park, I could feel the baby’s head coming out,” she said. “As soon as Stephen parked, he got out and ran round to my side of the car in time to basically catch Cody as he was born.”
The Nickname Sticks
The couple’s midwifery staff made the Colonel Cody nickname official. “We were famous among the midwifery staff and they even ordered KFC for dinner,” Murphy said. “It was decided we have to take him to KFC for his first birthday and get him his first weekend job there.”
“We call him Colonel Cody and I think that nickname will definitely stick with him for life,” she added.
KFC’s Response
The chain responded with a mix of merchandise and a promise of a return visit. “We’re honored to have been the place of Cody’s birth and are sending bucket loads of love to the whole family, along with some KFC merch and vouchers to help them celebrate,” a spokesperson told Fox News.
“We can’t wait to welcome them back for a meal to mark the occasion.”
A Busy Year
KFC has launched a string of unusual international promotions this year. The chain has partnered with The Simpsons on a menu including a pink donut burger, and with Evangelion on a purple burger.
KFC also made waves in China by releasing an Oreo chicken burger and starting to sell whole watermelons.
What This Means
The story is a reminder that brands sometimes get lucky. Cody was not born at KFC because the chain is good at PR; he was born there because Murphy’s contractions could not wait. The chain seized on the coincidence, and the family got gifts and a nickname.
It is a small stunt, but it worked. The word “Colonel” will now be attached to Cody’s name for life, and KFC will get a photo op when the baby celebrates his first birthday.
The chain’s response is corporate charm at its most effective: acknowledging the irony, sending a gift box, and inviting the family back for a meal. It is the kind of move that lands on social media and gets shared.
Key Facts
- Cody was born on August 29 in Bromsgrove, England
- Born at 9:35 pm in a KFC parking lot
- Weighed 7.5 lbs at birth
- Named Colonel Cody by his parents
- KFC sent branded gifts, merch and vouchers to the family
The whole thing is a bit absurd, but it is also charming. Cody’s parents chose the name, and KFC chose to run with it. The baby gets a nickname, the family gets free food, and the chain gets a story. Everyone wins, except maybe the midwives who had to order dinner at a fast food restaurant.
Source material: “KFC responds after baby born in parking lot earns Colonel nickname,” Dexerto.
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