KFC launches new branded-merchandise store featuring Shady Rays collaboration

Caleb Wiegandt, Louisville Courier Journal
·2 min read
KFCShop.com launched just in time for National Fried Chicken Day July 6, and there are a handful of finger lickin' merch items available now.
KFCShop.com launched just in time for National Fried Chicken Day July 6, and there are a handful of finger lickin' merch items available now.

Kentucky Fried Chicken and Shady Rays? It doesn't get any more Bluegrass State than that.

To celebrate National Fried Chicken Day, the Louisville-based fast food giant and Simpsonville-based eyewear brand are collaborating to lay an exclusive pair of polarized sunglasses.

Each pair of the finger-lickin' shades — ones of the best-selling Classic Black Timber variant — will come with Shady Rays' replacement and warranty provisions. It is unclear if the sunglasses will come seasoned with the famous 11 herbs and spices, but the limited-edition KFC pouch to carry them in should satisfy your cravings.

The shades will highlight the Thursday debut of KFC's KFCShop.com, a new merchandise venture with more than 20 items that will be updated with special collections and new releases. Other items released include the doubly-meaning KFC Bucket Hat, the 1991 KFC Logo Koozie and the Finger Lickin' Good Tumbler.

KFC's collab with Kentucky-based eyewear brand Shady Rays is finger lickin' good and comes just in time for National Fried Chicken Day July 6.
KFC's collab with Kentucky-based eyewear brand Shady Rays is finger lickin' good and comes just in time for National Fried Chicken Day July 6.

Chris Ratterman, Shady Rays' founder and CEO, was one of three people given the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year East Central Award last month, an honor he shared with Dan Oliver, founder of yet another homegrown Louisville favorite with Dan-O's Seasoning.

Fans can download the KFC App to be notified of upcoming additions to the shop and subscribe via email here.

KFC is also offering free delivery now through July 9 online at kfc.com and on the app at participating locations.

How many KFC restaurants are in Louisville?

There are 16 KFC locations in Louisville, according to the restaurant's website. They range from locations including at the Muhammad Ali International Airport and the Outer Loop, Cane Run Road and downtown. Across Kentucky, there are 100 restaurants.

There are more than 24,000 locations worldwide in more than 145 countries.

What is KFC's connection to Kentucky?

Harlan Sanders started serving his food to travelers out of a service station in Corbin, Kentucky, in 1930. Better known as "Colonel Sanders," the entrepreneur lost it all and then re-invented the recipe fans know today to include the famous 11 herbs and spices. The first franchise location of KFC was opened in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1952.

KFC is owned by Yum! Brands, which is headquartered in Louisville. The company's name is on the University of Louisville's basketball arena, the KFC Yum! Center.

It's National Fried Chicken Day: Eight places to get fried chicken in Louisville

Rae Johnson and USA TODAY's Mike Snider contributed. Reach reporter Caleb Wiegandt at cwiegandt@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @CalebWiegandt.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: National Fried Chicken Day: KFC, Shady Rays collaboration