Hey folks! Ever wondered where your favorite bucket of crispy goodness actually came from? I’ve been on a deep dive into the history of one of the world’s most famous fast food chains, and lemme tell ya – it’s a pretty fascinating journey from roadside motel to global empire So grab a drumstick and let’s explore where Kentucky Fried Chicken really got its start!
The Humble Beginnings of Colonel Sanders
Kentucky Fried Chicken wasn’t born in some fancy corporate boardroom – it all started with one man’s knack for cookin’ up delicious chicken during some pretty tough times
Early Life of Harland Sanders
Harland Sanders (yep, the Colonel himself!) was born on September 9, 1890 outside a small town called Henryville, Indiana. Life wasn’t easy for young Harland – his father passed away in 1895 when he was just five years old. With his mom needing to work at a canning plant to make ends meet little Harland had to step up and take care of his younger siblings.
This early responsibility included learning to cook at the tender age of seven when his mother taught him kitchen skills. These early cooking lessons would eventually change fast food history forever, but not for many decades to come!
Before becoming the chicken king we know today, Sanders tried his hand at numerous careers including:
- Railroad worker
- Insurance salesman
- Firefighter
- Streetcar operator
None of these jobs really stuck, and success was… well, mixed at best.
The Birth of KFC in Corbin, Kentucky
The real KFC story begins in 1930 when Sanders, now 40 years old, took over a Shell filling station on U.S. Route 25 just outside North Corbin, Kentucky. This little spot sat on the edge of the Appalachian Mountains – not exactly where you’d expect a global food empire to be born!
By June of that same year, Sanders had converted a small storeroom into an eating area using his own dining table. He started serving hungry travelers meals like steaks and country ham – no chicken yet!
In 1934, Sanders saw a better opportunity and moved to the Pure Oil filling station across the road, which had better visibility for passing motorists. It was here that he finally began selling his fried chicken.
So to answer the big question – Kentucky Fried Chicken originated in Corbin, Kentucky at a humble service station where Sanders served travelers along a busy highway.
The Colonel’s Secret Recipe: Game-Changing Innovation
One major problem Sanders faced was that traditional pan-fried chicken took 35 whole minutes to prepare – way too long for a quick-service restaurant. But he didn’t want to deep fry his chicken either, as he felt that method produced dry, unevenly cooked chicken.
The Pressure Cooker Revolution
In 1939, something revolutionary happened in the food world – the first commercial pressure cookers hit the market. While they were mainly designed for steaming veggies, Sanders saw an opportunity and bought one. Then, in a stroke of genius, he modified it into a pressure fryer.
This innovation was HUGE! It allowed him to:
- Reduce cooking time to match deep frying
- Maintain the quality and flavor of pan-fried chicken
- Serve customers much faster
That same year (1939), Sanders finalized his legendary “Original Recipe” – that magical blend of 11 herbs and spices that’s still used today and remains a closely guarded secret. While he never publicly revealed the exact ingredients, he did admit it contained salt and pepper, and claimed the ingredients “stand on everybody’s shelf.”
From Service Station to Restaurant Empire
Sanders’ chicken became increasingly popular, and by 1937, his business had grown enough that he expanded his restaurant to 140 seats. In 1940, he purchased a motel across the street, creating the “Sanders Court & Café.”
How “Colonel” Sanders Got His Title
Interestingly, “Colonel” wasn’t just a marketing gimmick – Sanders was actually given the honorary title of Kentucky Colonel in 1936 by Governor Ruby Laffoon in recognition of his contributions to the state’s cuisine.
He was recommissioned as a Kentucky Colonel again in 1950 by Governor Lawrence Wetherby. After this second honor, Sanders began fully embracing the Colonel persona – growing his signature goatee, wearing a black frock coat (later switching to his iconic white suit), donning a string tie, and referring to himself as “Colonel.”
The Franchise Revolution Begins
The real turning point for KFC came in the 1950s. In 1955, Interstate 75 was planned to bypass Corbin entirely – which would have been devastating for Sanders’ roadside business. Instead of accepting defeat, Sanders saw an opportunity to expand.
He sold his properties and hit the road, traveling across the US to market his chicken concept to restaurant owners. His franchise model was simple but brilliant – independent restaurant owners would pay four cents (later five cents) on each chicken sold as a franchise fee. In exchange, they’d get:
- Sanders’ secret blend of herbs and spices
- His cooking method
- The right to use his name and likeness in advertising
The First Official KFC Franchise
In 1952, Sanders successfully franchised his chicken recipe to Pete Harman in South Salt Lake, Utah. Harman operated one of the city’s most prominent restaurants.
This partnership was crucial to KFC’s development for several reasons:
- A sign painter hired by Harman, Rodney L. Anderson from Roy, Utah, coined the name “Kentucky Fried Chicken”
- Sanders adopted this name because it distinguished his product from regular “Southern fried chicken”
- Harman claimed his restaurant sales more than tripled in the first year of selling KFC, with 75% of the increase coming from fried chicken
Pete Harman wasn’t just any franchisee – he’s been described as the “virtual co-founder” of the chain. He made several crucial contributions:
- Trademarked the phrase “It’s finger lickin’ good”
- In 1957, created the iconic “bucket” packaging (14 pieces of chicken, five bread rolls, and a pint of gravy for $3.50)
- Pioneered the take-out concept that would become central to KFC’s business model
By 1956, Sanders had six to eight franchisees, including Dave Thomas (who would later found Wendy’s). Thomas further developed the business by:
- Creating the rotating red bucket sign
- Promoting the take-out concept
- Introducing important bookkeeping systems
KFC’s Rapid Expansion
By 1960, KFC had grown to approximately 200 franchised restaurants. Just three years later, this had exploded to over 600 locations, making KFC the largest fast food operation in the United States at that time.
The company truly changed the fast food landscape by challenging the established dominance of hamburgers and diversifying the market with chicken.
The Sale of KFC and Corporate Evolution
As KFC grew, it became too large for Sanders to manage effectively. In 1964, at the age of 74, Sanders sold the company to a group of investors led by John Y. Brown Jr. and Jack C. Massey for $2 million (around $15 million in today’s dollars).
The contract included a lifetime salary for Sanders and an agreement that he would serve as the company’s quality controller and trademark. Despite the sale, Sanders retained significant moral authority over executives and franchisees and wasn’t shy about expressing his opinions when he disagreed with corporate decisions.
After going public in 1966, KFC bought out its 600 franchisees and began operating them directly. By 1967, KFC had become the sixth-largest restaurant chain in the US by sales volume, with 30% of sales coming from take-out orders.
The Corporate Ownership Timeline
KFC’s ownership has changed hands several times throughout its history:
- 1964: Sold to investors led by John Y. Brown Jr. and Jack C. Massey
- 1971: Sold to Heublein, a packaged food and drinks corporation
- 1982: Acquired by R.J. Reynolds (the tobacco company)
- 1986: Purchased by PepsiCo
- 1997: PepsiCo spun off its restaurants division as Tricon Global Restaurants
- 2002: Tricon renamed as Yum! Brands (which still owns KFC today)
Global Expansion
KFC was one of the first fast-food chains to expand internationally, opening outlets in:
- Britain
- Mexico
- Jamaica
All by the mid-1960s!
In 1987, KFC made history by becoming the first Western restaurant chain to open in China. This move would prove incredibly strategic, as China would eventually become KFC’s largest market.
The Colonel’s Legacy
Colonel Harland Sanders passed away in 1980 at the age of 90, but his legacy lives on. Even up until his death, he continued to travel 200,000-250,000 miles per year promoting his product.
By branding himself as “Colonel Sanders,” Harland became a prominent figure in American cultural history. In 1976, he was named the second most recognizable celebrity in the world according to an independent survey. His image remains widely used in KFC advertising to this day, with his face remaining at the forefront of the company’s logo design.
KFC Today
From its humble beginnings at a roadside service station in Corbin, Kentucky, KFC has grown into a global fast-food powerhouse. According to the company’s official website, KFC now has:
- Over 30,000 restaurants
- Operations in 150 countries
- Status as one of the world’s fastest-growing retail brands
Fun Facts About KFC’s History
Here are some interesting tidbits you might not know about KFC:
- The original KFC bucket design from 1957 has become recognized worldwide
- Sanders was so protective of his recipe that when Heublein acquired KFC, he criticized their gravy, calling it “wallpaper paste”
- In 1991, the company officially adopted the “KFC” initials, partly to distance itself from the unhealthy connotations of “fried”
- When PepsiCo acquired KFC in 1986, many restaurants switched from Coca-Cola to Pepsi products, causing some fast-food competitors like Wendy’s to switch from Pepsi to Coca-Cola in response
Wrapping It Up: From Corbin to the World
So there ya have it! Kentucky Fried Chicken was born in Corbin, Kentucky, at a humble service station run by Harland Sanders. Through innovative cooking methods, a secret recipe, and a brilliant franchise model, it grew from a single location to one of the world’s most recognizable brands.
The story of KFC is really the American dream in action – a man who struggled through multiple careers and didn’t find his true calling until age 40, then built an empire that continues to thrive long after his passing.
Next time you’re enjoying that crispy, delicious chicken, you can appreciate the fascinating journey it took from a small Kentucky highway stop to your dinner table!
1952 – First franchise
The first Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise opens near Salt Lake City, Utah.
KFC TimelineClick on year for details
When Harland turns 40, he buys a roadside motel in Corbin, Kentucky and begins serving his southern style chicken.
How KFC Was Made from a Gas Station Chicken Recipe
FAQ
What is the real story behind KFC?
Colonel Sanders officially started KFC when he turned 40, back in 1930. He bought a roadside motel in Corbin, Kentucky, and started serving his southern style chicken.
Where was the original Kentucky Fried Chicken?
“IT ALL STARTED IN CORBIN”, Colonel Sanders’ original restaurant in Corbin, Kentucky, the birthplace of Kentucky Fried Chicken®. Carefully restored and placed on the National Register of Historical Places, you will see it as it appeared in the 1940’s.
Which is older, KFC or McDonald’s?
What ethnicity was Colonel Sanders?
1890–1906: early life
His mother was of Irish and Dutch descent. The family attended the Advent Christian Church. His father was a mild and affectionate man who worked his 80-acre (32 ha) farm until he broke his leg in a fall. He then worked as a butcher in Henryville for two years.