KFC Winterized an Outdoor Basketball Court in Canada

For a recent activation in Toronto, KFC helped folks shoot buckets. On an outdoor basketball court. In the middle of winter.

Working with agency Narrative, the fast feeder “winterized” a hoops court for an entire month near the city’s Gardiner Expressway. Stylized KFC chicken containers stood in for NBA regulation-size buckets. Locals were invited to drop by for pointers (maybe even three-pointers)—from Raptors star Gary Trent Jr., no less.

Among the court’s special features were…

• Pre-warmed basketballs.
• Rotating DJs on select Fridays and Saturdays from LiveNation.
• A Pepsi-sponsored Warming Centre with heaters and refreshments.
• KFC samples, plus an UberEats promo code for future KFC orders.
• Toasty Puffer jerseys.

Sheltered from the elements by an overpass and cleared of ice when necessary, “It proved to be a court where players could still dunk during a blizzard,” says Narrative CCO Joseph Bonnici.

KFC donated court time to community groups and offered $5 bookable time slots. Funds supported Jump Thru Hoops.

Too bad the initiative winds down today. That tormented white-collar dude from Go RVing Canada could’ve popped by and worked off some of his existential angst. He can always try hockey instead.