Photo Credits: https://media.timeout.com/
Singapore’s KFC enthusiasts are in for a delightful treat as the highly anticipated KFC x Butterbear collaboration officially launches on October 15, 2025. This exciting partnership brings Thailand’s beloved bakery mascot to the Lion City, combining KFC’s signature fried chicken with the adorable charm of Butterbear’s iconic character, Nong Noey.
Butterbear originated as a humble bakery mascot in Bangkok during the COVID-19 pandemic, created by Thanawan Vongcharoenrat as part of the Coffee Beans by Dao group. What began as a simple marketing effort to attract customers has evolved into a cultural phenomenon that transcends borders. The mascot gained international recognition when a video of Nong Noey dancing went viral on Chinese social media platform Douyin, amassing over 16 million views and 5 million likes.
The character’s popularity stems from her playful personality and interactive nature, making her highly accessible to fans unlike traditional mascots confined to theme parks. Nong Noey’s hands bear a striking resemblance to fried chicken wings, which became a viral meme amongst her fanbase, affectionately known as “Mum-Mhees.” This connection to fried chicken made the KFC x Butterbear collaboration a natural and perfect match.
The KFC x Butterbear collaboration features an extensive range of collectible merchandise that will appeal to both collectors and casual fans. The star attraction comprises four distinct blind box figurine keychains, each representing different KFC menu items: Egg Tart Butterbear, KFC Zinger Butterbear, KFC Drumstick Butterbear, and KFC Bucket Butterbear.
These blind box figurines are available for $12.95 each with the purchase of either a Thai-Thai Saucy Chicken Box ($13.95) or Thai-Thai Saucy Bites Box ($11.95). The blind box format adds an element of surprise and collectability, encouraging customers to purchase multiple items to complete their collection. Each customer can purchase up to two blind boxes per transaction.
The merchandise lineup extends beyond figurines to include practical items that fans can incorporate into their daily lives. KFC x Butterbear Long Socks are available in two colour variants – red socks at $5.95 with dine-in or takeaway purchases, and green socks exclusively through Grab delivery orders at the same price point.
One of the most coveted items in the KFC x Butterbear collaboration is the exclusive Plush Crossbody Bag, launching on October 29, 2025. With only 3,000 pieces available across Singapore, this limited-edition accessory is priced at $15.95 with the purchase of any Thai-Thai Saucy Box meal.
The crossbody bag will only be available at selected outlets including Plaza Singapura, West Mall, Bedok Town Square, Causeway Point, HarbourFront Centre, NEX, Jurong Point, Lot One, Compass One, Northpoint City, Toa Payoh, Tampines Mall, Star Vista, Novena Square, and Admiralty Place. The extreme limitation of quantities and selected outlets ensures exclusivity and drives urgency amongst collectors.
Complementing the merchandise launch, KFC Singapore introduces the new Thai-Thai Saucy menu items that celebrate Thailand’s street food culture. The Thai-Thai Saucy Chicken features KFC’s signature Hot & Crispy Chicken doused in a tangy, spicy, and sweet sauce that captures authentic Thai flavours.
The menu also includes Thai-Thai Saucy Bites, which consist of boneless chicken pieces coated in the same flavourful sauce, perfect for on-the-go consumption. Additionally, Thai Fritters with Condensed Milk pay homage to the popular Thai-Chinese street snack “patongko,” providing a sweet ending to complement the spicy chicken dishes.
The KFC x Butterbear collaboration extends value to breakfast customers through complimentary sticker sheets. These exclusive KFC x Butterbear stickers are available free with the purchase of 2-for-$12 breakfast Twister Buddy Meals at participating KFC breakfast stores, excluding Sentosa locations.
The sticker sheets allow fans to showcase their love for the collaboration in various ways, whether decorating personal items or sharing with fellow collectors. This promotional mechanic encourages breakfast traffic while providing accessible entry points for customers seeking Butterbear merchandise at lower price points.
The success of the KFC x Butterbear collaboration reflects broader trends in fast-food marketing where brands leverage pop culture partnerships to create emotional connections with consumers. KFC’s strategy follows their previous successful collaboration with Mofusand earlier in 2025, which generated significant online fanfare and demonstrated Singapore consumers’ appetite for limited-edition collectibles.
This collaboration taps into multiple consumer behaviours including the blind box collecting trend, social media sharing culture, and the desire for exclusive merchandise. The campaign encourages user-generated content through social media engagement, with fans sharing their collections and unboxing experiences online.
The KFC x Butterbear collaboration runs from October 15 to November 25, 2025, available at all KFC outlets across Singapore except Singapore Zoo and Sentosa locations. The merchandise is accessible through dine-in, takeaway, delivery via FoodPanda, Deliveroo, and KFC Delivery, with specific redemption mechanics varying by channel.
All items are available while stocks last, emphasising the limited nature of the collaboration. The strategic pricing ensures that customers need to purchase new menu items to access the exclusive merchandise, driving trial of the Thai-Thai Saucy offerings whilst satisfying collectors’ desires.
The KFC x Butterbear collaboration achieved remarkable success in Thailand, where it drove a 49% increase in KFC’s sales during the campaign period. The Thai market response included massive queues for meet-and-greet events, with fans lining up as early as 4:30 AM for photo opportunities with Nong Noey.
The collaboration’s success stems from its authentic connection to Thai culture whilst maintaining KFC’s brand identity. By introducing authentic Thai flavours through the Thai-Thai Saucy menu alongside beloved local character merchandise, the campaign creates a comprehensive cultural experience that resonates with consumers seeking novelty and authenticity.
Given the limited quantities and exclusive nature of the KFC x Butterbear collaboration merchandise, these items possess strong potential for secondary market appreciation. The blind box format creates scarcity for specific designs, whilst the 3,000-piece limitation on crossbody bags ensures exclusivity.
Previous KFC collaborations have demonstrated strong collector interest, particularly amongst Singapore’s vibrant collecting community. The combination of functional utility and collectible appeal makes these items attractive to both users and investors, potentially driving sustained interest beyond the campaign period.
The KFC x Butterbear collaboration represents more than a simple fast-food promotion – it’s a cultural bridge connecting Singapore consumers with Thailand’s viral mascot phenomenon whilst introducing authentic Thai flavours to local palates. The comprehensive merchandise range, strategic availability limitations, and authentic cultural connections position this collaboration as one of 2025’s most significant fast-food partnerships in Singapore.