The founder of KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) is Colonel Harland Sanders. He was born on September 9, 1890, in Henryville, Indiana, USA. Sanders developed his secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices and began selling fried chicken from his roadside restaurant in Corbin, Kentucky, during the Great Depression. In 1952, he franchised the concept, and the first KFC franchise opened in Salt Lake City, Utah. His likeness and signature white suit and string tie became iconic symbols of the brand.
Harland David Sanders, better known as Colonel Sanders, had a life marked by hard work, determination, and a series of entrepreneurial ventures before founding KFC. Here is a more detailed account of his life and the rise of KFC:
Early Life and Career
Born on September 9, 1890, in Henryville, Indiana, Harland Sanders had to take on family responsibilities early after his father’s death when he was just six years old. His mother took on various jobs to support the family, leaving Sanders to cook and care for his younger siblings. This early experience in the kitchen would later prove invaluable.
Sanders dropped out of school in seventh grade and left home to work as a farmhand. Over the years, he held various jobs, including a streetcar conductor, a railroad fireman, and an insurance salesman. He even practiced law for a short period but was disbarred after a courtroom brawl with his own client.
The Birth of KFC
In 1930, Sanders took over a Shell filling station in Corbin, Kentucky, where he began serving meals to travelers. His food became so popular that he moved across the street to a larger location, where he opened a motel and a 142-seat restaurant. It was here that he perfected his secret blend of 11 herbs and spices and the pressure-frying technique that allowed for faster cooking times while retaining the chicken’s flavor and moisture.
Franchising the Concept
In the early 1950s, Sanders faced the prospect of bankruptcy due to a new interstate that diverted traffic away from his restaurant. Undeterred, he began franchising his chicken recipe to other restaurants. The first KFC franchise was opened in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1952 by Pete Harman, a friend of Sanders. Harman’s restaurant tripled its sales within a year, thanks to the popularity of Sanders’ chicken.
Expansion and Success
The success of the Salt Lake City franchise encouraged Sanders to travel across the country to sell his franchise concept. By 1963, there were over 600 KFC franchises in the United States and Canada. Sanders’ unique blend of spices and his distinctive marketing, which included dressing in a white suit and black string tie and calling himself “Colonel,” helped cement the brand’s identity.
Later Years and Legacy
In 1964, at the age of 74, Sanders sold his interest in the company for $2 million to a group of investors led by John Y. Brown, Jr., and Jack Massey. Despite selling the company, Sanders remained the face of KFC and continued to be involved in promotional activities.
Colonel Sanders passed away on December 16, 1980, but his legacy lives on. KFC has grown into one of the largest fast-food chains in the world, with thousands of locations in over 150 countries. The brand remains synonymous with its founder’s commitment to quality and his secret recipe.
Impact and Cultural Icon
Colonel Sanders became a cultural icon, symbolizing the American dream of perseverance and success through hard work and innovation. His image continues to be used in KFC’s advertising, ensuring that his legacy endures as part of the company’s identity.
