Food and Beverage
KFC Chicken Sandwiches Unlock Exclusive Diablo® IV In-Game Rewards for a Limited Time
Purchase any finger lickin’ good KFC Chicken Sandwich to access up to five in-game rewards
LOUISVILLE, Ky. /PRNewswire/ — Kentucky Fried Chicken® is making its KFC Chicken Sandwich even more craveable with a spicy new promotion tied to the highly anticipated new Diablo® IV video game. Now through 7/2*, customers who purchase any KFC Chicken Sandwich (classic or spicy, including combo options) on the KFC app or KFC.com will be eligible to unlock exclusive in-game rewards** in one of the most anticipated video games of the year. The exclusive in-game rewards include up to five battle cosmetics in KFC’s signature red and white brand colors, with each piece of equipment representing one Diablo class, to help gamers show off their style.
The KFC Chicken Sandwich is made up of a quarter-pound, double-breaded, Extra Crispy™ all-white meat chicken breast filet with crunchy, thick pickles, a freshly toasted buttery brioche bun and the perfect amount of the Colonel’s real mayo (classic) or the Colonel’s spicy sauce (spicy). Each sandwich is prepared when ordered, so it is served hot every time.
To develop its best chicken sandwich ever back in 2021, KFC’s food innovation team tested pickles with eight variations of thickness and collaborated with six different bakeries on more than 10 recipes to find the best ingredients to go along with KFC’s crispy, crunchy fried chicken.
“As the fried chicken experts, we’ve set the standard in the fried chicken sandwich game,” said Nick Chavez, CMO, KFC U.S. “Now fans of Diablo IV can feed their hunger for both our best chicken sandwich ever and exclusive in-game rewards.”
“Everyone loves a good food promotion, and KFC chicken hits the mark just right for exploring Sanctuary,” said Rod Fergusson, general manager of Diablo. “Adventurers will want to be sure to get these fried-tastic cosmetics to be ready to charge into the Diablo IV launch weekend.”
In March, KFC and Blizzard Entertainment kicked off their collaboration by offering customers the chance to preview Diablo IV during a Beta weekend by purchasing a KFC Double Down Sandwich. Now launching on June 6, Diablo IV is the next installment in the genre-defining video game series and invites players to join the fight against evil.
This next campaign highlights the delicious dilemma KFC fans face when choosing between the classic or spicy fried chicken sandwiches, delighting gamer audiences by begging the question, “Would you do anything for a spicy Kentucky Fried Chicken sandwich?”
To unlock the exclusive in-game rewards, customers need to create a KFC account on the KFC app or KFC.com and sync their KFC account to their Diablo IV Battle.net® account, which will automatically unlock the first reward. Customers can then unlock up to four additional rewards by purchasing the qualifying menu items on the KFC app or KFC.com only during the promotional period (one sandwich order unlocks one new reward). The status of unlocked rewards can be found at KFC.com/Diablo.
After placing orders for the KFC Chicken Sandwich on KFC.com or the app using Quick Pick-Up, customers can head to their local KFC and avoid the line, park in a dedicated VIP parking spot and go inside where their chicken sandwich will be hot and ready, waiting on KFC’s Quick Pick-Up shelf.
KFC has a background in the gaming world, including a 2019 dating simulator where players were challenged to impress an animated Colonel Sanders in their adventures in culinary school. KFC fans in Brazil can also unlock Diablo IV rewards in their markets through similar promotions.
*KFC account and Battle.net account creation required. Must purchase sandwich between 5/29 and 7/2 through KFC account on kfc.com or the KFC app – NOT in-restaurant. Battle.net sync required to unlock rewards – available starting 5/30. Diablo IV sold separately. One reward per purchase. Maximum of 5 rewards per account. Only U.S. orders eligible. Must be 18 or older. Canceled order not eligible. Digital ordering available at participating locations. While supplies last. Diablo and Battle.net are registered trademarks of Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. See KFC.com/Diablo for more information.
**Rewards are timed exclusive content until at least July 31, 2023.
About KFC
KFC Corporation, based in Louisville, Ky., has been serving joy through its Original Recipe® fried chicken and finger lickin’ good food since 1952. KFC’s Original Recipe represents the unmistakable taste of KFC – the top-secret, unique blend of 11 herbs & spices that was perfected by Colonel Harland Sanders and is still used today. Beyond bucket meals and homestyle sides, KFC specialties include KFC Chicken Nuggets, the KFC Chicken Sandwich in spicy and classic, Extra Crispy™ Tenders, KFC Famous Bowls®, KFC Mac & Cheese Bowls, Pot Pies and Secret Recipe Fries. There are over 28,000 KFC restaurants in more than 150 countries and territories around the world. KFC Corporation is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., Louisville, Ky. (NYSE: YUM). For more information, visit www.kfc.com. Follow KFC on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
About Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.
Best known for iconic video game universes including Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, and StarCraft®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment experiences. Blizzard Entertainment has created some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed and genre-defining games over the last 30 years, with a track record that includes multiple Game of the Year awards. Blizzard Entertainment engages tens of millions of players around the world with titles available on PC via Battle.net®, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android.
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Last Updated on January 30, 2026 by Daily News Staff
Each year on January 31st, National Hot Chocolate Day warms up people across the country by celebrating the timeless cold-weather beverage.
National Hot Chocolate Day
Hot chocolate, also known as hot cocoa or drinking chocolate, is a heated drink consisting of shaved chocolate, melted chocolate or cocoa powder, heated milk or water, and usually a sweetener like whipped cream or marshmallows. Hot chocolate made with melted chocolate is sometimes called drinking chocolate, characterized by less sweetness and a thicker consistency.
The first chocolate drink is believed to have been created by the Maya around 2,500–3,000 years ago, and a cocoa drink was an essential part of Aztec culture by 1400 AD, by which they referred to as xocōlātl.[2] The drink became popular in Europe after being introduced from Mexico in the New World and has undergone multiple changes since then. Until the 19th century, hot chocolate was used medicinally to treat ailments such as liver and stomach diseases.
Hot chocolate is consumed throughout the world and comes in multiple variations, including the spiced chocolate para mesa of Latin America, the very thick cioccolata calda served in Italy and chocolate a la taza served in Spain, and the thinner hot cocoa consumed in the United States. Prepared hot chocolate can be purchased from a range of establishments, including cafeterias, fast food restaurants, coffeehouses and teahouses. Powdered hot chocolate mixes, which can be added to boiling water or hot milk to make the drink at home, are sold at grocery stores and online. (wikipedia)
Links:
National Day Calendar: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-hot-chocolate-day-january-31/
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_chocolate
Visit our Food and Drink section: https://stmdailynews.com/category/food-and-beverage/
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Food and Beverage
Win Your Watch Party with a Fan Favorite Dip
Game day hosts can elevate their celebrations with a 7-Layer Game Day Dip. This easy recipe combines refried beans, mashed avocados, seasoned sour cream, cheese, tomatoes, scallions, and olives for a delicious spread. Perfect with tortilla chips, it’s an ideal snack for enjoying during the big game. For more recipes, visit Culinary.net.
(Family Features) From the pregame party to kickoff and the final whistle, game day hosts know savory snacks are the key to victory. Celebrate the big game this season with a simple yet tasty spin on a football staple with this 7-Layer Game Day Dip. Featuring layers of refried beans, mashed avocados and seasoned sour cream topped with cheese, tomatoes, scallions and black olives, you can tackle a winning spread in next to no time.
Visit Culinary.net to find more strategies for serving victorious game day recipes.
7-Layer Game Day Dip
Recipe adapted from Love & Lemons
Prep time: 20 minutes
Servings: 12
- 1 can (16 ounces) refried beans
- 3/4 cup salsa
- 2 avocados
- 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 16 ounces sour cream
- 3 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 tomato, diced
- 1 bunch scallions, chopped (optional)
- 1 can (2 1/4 ounces) sliced black olives, drained (optional)
- tortilla chips, for serving
- In medium bowl, stir refried beans and 1/2 cup salsa. In separate medium bowl, mash avocados with remaining salsa. Add bell peppers and lime juice; stir to combine. In third medium bowl, stir sour cream and taco seasoning.
- To assemble, spread refried bean mixture in bottom of baking dish. Spread avocado mixture evenly on top then spread sour cream mixture. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese then top with diced tomatoes.
- Top dish with scallions and black olives, if desired. Serve with tortilla chips.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
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Food and Beverage
Straw Hat Pizza: The Rise, Fall, and Nostalgic Legacy of a California Pizza Icon
Straw Hat Pizza was once a California pizza powerhouse. Explore the rise, decline, and nostalgic legacy of this beloved family pizza chain.
Long before pizza delivery apps, stuffed-crust gimmicks, and national chains on every corner, there was Straw Hat Pizza — a family-friendly, California-born pizza chain that helped define what “going out for pizza” meant for generations.
For many Californians, Straw Hat Pizza wasn’t just dinner. It was birthday parties, Little League celebrations, arcade games, salad bars, and the hum of a busy dining room packed with families. While the brand is far smaller today, its place in American food history is secure.
Humble Beginnings: A California Pizza Story
Straw Hat Pizza was founded in 1959 by Charlie Olson and Bill Henderlong. The first location opened in San Leandro, California, during a period when pizza was still becoming a mainstream American favorite.
The name came from the straw hats worn by pizza makers at early California pizzerias — a visual shortcut that told customers exactly what kind of place they were entering. Casual. Friendly. Pizza-focused.
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The Golden Years: 1960s Through the Early 1980s
Through the 1960s and 1970s, Straw Hat Pizza expanded rapidly across California and Nevada. By 1980, the chain reportedly operated more than 200 locations, becoming a staple in suburban shopping centers and family neighborhoods.
- Large dining rooms built for families and groups
- Arcade games and coin-operated attractions
- Salad bars — a defining feature of the era
- Party rooms for birthdays and team celebrations
The pizza leaned toward what we now call California-style: thin, layered crusts, generous toppings, and a menu designed for sharing. It was food meant to be eaten at a table, not rushed out the door.
Corporate Consolidation and Decline
In 1969, Straw Hat Pizza was sold to Saga Corporation, which later became part of Marriott Corporation. As restaurant consolidation accelerated in the 1980s, Straw Hat became caught in a wave of mergers and acquisitions.
By the late 1980s, many Straw Hat locations were sold to or converted by Pizza Hut. Franchise owners fought back, eventually retaining rights to the Straw Hat name and continuing operations independently — but the brand’s footprint was permanently reduced.
How Straw Hat Pizza Survived
Unlike many mid-century restaurant chains, Straw Hat Pizza never fully disappeared. Independent franchise owners reorganized, preserving the brand, recipes, and name. Today, a limited number of Straw Hat Pizza locations continue operating — primarily in California.
It is no longer a national competitor, but rather a regional legacy brand, sustained by nostalgia and loyal local customers.
Why Straw Hat Pizza Still Matters
Straw Hat Pizza represents an era when pizza parlors were community spaces — places to linger, celebrate, and connect. Its story mirrors the rise of suburban America and the transformation of pizza from novelty to cultural staple.
For many, the memory of Straw Hat Pizza is inseparable from childhood — the smell of baked dough, the sound of arcade machines, and the excitement of a shared pie arriving at the table.
The Nostalgia Revival
Vintage menus, matchbooks, and advertisements from Straw Hat Pizza frequently surface online, part of a broader resurgence of interest in retro restaurants. These artifacts remind us that regional chains once played a major role in shaping American food culture.
Straw Hat Pizza may no longer dominate California strip malls, but its legacy lives on — in memories, collectibles, and the handful of locations still serving slices under that iconic name.
Related Coverage on STM Daily News
External References & Further Reading
STM Daily News continues to explore the food history that shaped our communities — from vanished chains to local favorites that still define how we eat and gather.
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