History of KFC – KFC Success Story

The KFC Story

Welcome to the life of Harland Sanders, the man who started KFC – then Kentucky Fried Chicken. A truly self-made man, whose story, passion, and philosophy inspire us to this day. The founder of KFC discovered his enthusiasm for cooking, home-made food, and traditional southern cuisine as a child – History of KFC

1890-1903

Lend a hand – taken for granted from an early age

Harland D. Sanders was born on September 9, 1890, in Henryville, Indiana. He lost his father at the age of six. Since his mother has to pay for the family’s maintenance from now on, Harland takes care of the two younger siblings and takes on many tasks at home, including cooking, where he proves to be a real natural talent.

When he was ten, he was already working on a farm on the side, bringing home two dollars a month – a lot of money back then. There is little time left for knowledge of books: Harland drops out of school in the sixth grade.

1904-1929

A colorful resume

After his mother remarries, Harland leaves his home and looks for work on a farm. This is followed by a wide variety of jobs, such as a tram conductor, volunteer in the US Army in Cuba, firefighter, railroad worker, paralegal, insurance salesman, and obstetrician. But no matter how he earns his money – he always follows his rules.

“Do everything you can and try as hard as possible.”

THE 1930S

From gas station leaseholder to restaurant owner

In 1930 Harland Sanders opened a gas station in Corbin, Kentucky. He soon remembers his great passion – cooking. He serves travelers with traditional southern cuisine, which takes place at the family table due to lack of space. Roasted chicken is also on the menu – for Sanders the epitome of American hospitality. Word quickly gets around what a gifted cook is here at the stove.

As more and more guests came, Sanders opened a restaurant with 142 seats opposite the gas station. The Harland Sanders Cafe, where the KFC brand originated, is registered as a historic site sixty years later.

1935

Kentucky Governor named Harland Sanders
Honorary Colonel of Kentucky. A thank you from the state for its special services to the country’s cuisine.

1939-1940

The original recipe and the high-pressure fryer

Inspired by a brand new invention, the pressure cooker, the Colonel developed a special high-pressure fryer in the late 1930s. In this, he can prepare his chicken dishes so quickly that the guests do not have to wait too long. The special thing about it: the chicken stays wonderfully juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. Even today, high-pressure fryers based on the same idea are used in all KFC restaurants around the world.

During this time, the Colonel also worked on the recipes for his chicken specialties. In 1940 he found the perfect mixture – the original recipe – of eleven herbs and spices that gave his “Kentucky Fried Chicken” the popular KFC taste. To this day, this recipe is unchanged and secret. We’ll keep it in a steel safe at KFC headquarters in Louisville. In 1939 the “Harland Sanders Restaurant” was mentioned in Duncan Hine’s restaurant guide “Adventures in Good Eating”.

1952-1956

The hour of birth of the KFC franchise business

At the age of 62, the Colonel decided to share his business idea: He traveled across the country to convince restaurant owners of his unique chicken recipe. In 1952, Pete Harman, owner of what was then the largest restaurant in Salt Lake City, Utah, becomes its first franchisee. The Colonel should earn five cents on every chicken sold – this is sealed with a handshake.

At the same time, the construction of a new highway threatens to cut off Sanders’ restaurant in Corbin from traffic. In 1956 the Colonel, therefore, sold it, and financially he was back at the beginning. After paying off his debt, he is left with a $ 105 welfare check. He is now all the more intensely dedicated to recruiting new franchisees and has soon sold his first international concession in Canada. In order to save money, the Colonel often sleeps in the car during this time, the spice mixture of his original recipe safely stowed in the trunk.

1964-1979

Real passion is rewarded

The Colonel’s tireless commitment pays off: in 1964 there were already 600 KFC restaurants in the USA and Canada. In the same year, he sold his company but remained spokesman and brand ambassador for Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Colonel Harland Sanders travels up to 400,000 km a year and visits KFC restaurants all over the world. A great challenge, but one that will be “the most interesting time of his life” for him. In an independent survey from 1976, he ranks second among the most famous personalities in the world.

1980

An eventful life

When the Colonel died in 1980 at the age of 90, he looked back on a fulfilled life. He went from being a boy with a simple background without a school leaving certificate to becoming a millionaire. In retrospect, the most important thing for him was not the money, but the fact that many others could live well through him, and of course, to make his delicious chicken specialties known beyond Kentucky’s borders.

“What makes me proud? that I’ve helped bring a good chicken to the table for millions of people.”

TODAY

Yum! – the group that stands behind KFC

Since 1997, KFC has been part of Yum! Brands, based in Louisville, Kentucky, is the parent company of KFC and operates over 41,000 restaurants in more than 125 countries and territories. YUM! is the world’s largest company in the field of system catering and the leading supplier of chicken specialties, pizza, and Mexican dishes. In addition to KFC, other well-known restaurant brands such as Pizza Hut and Taco Bell belong to the group.

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