Our History
The KFC Story
Humble Beginnings
The Colonel — aka Harland Sanders — was born Sept. 9, 1890, on a farm near Henryville, Indiana, and learned to cook at an early age. After serving in the U.S. Army and trying his hand at more than couple careers — firefighter, streetcar operator and insurance salesperson, to name a few. He then began running service stations in Nicholasville and Corbin, Kentucky. There, he started serving his delicious fried chicken to interstate travelers, eventually perfecting the pressure cooker method and his secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices.
KFC TimelineClick on year for details
1930 - The Big 40
When Harland turns 40, he buys a roadside motel in Corbin, Kentucky and begins serving his southern style chicken.
1939 - Top Secret
Finally, the Colonel perfects his unique blend of 11 herbs and spices that are still used today... and still top secret
1950 - Iconic
The Colonel dons his iconic white suit for the first time and from then on, wears one every time he's out in public.
1952 - First franchise
The first Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise opens near Salt Lake City, Utah.
1956 - On the road
Colonel Sanders sells his Corbin, Kentucky restaurant and goes on the road to sign up new KFC fanchisees.
1957 - The original bucket
Say “bucket of chicken” and you think KFC®. The original KFC® bucket from 1957 has now come to be recognized worldwide.
1964 - Time to step back
As a network of franchises grows across the USA, the Colonel feels it's time to slow down, and sells the KFC Company to investors.
1976 - Celebrity status
The Colonel is named the 2nd most recognizable celebrity in the world after an independent survey.
1980 - A legend passes
After a rich and full life, Harland Sanders sadly passes away at the age of 90. His legacy lives on through his Original Recipe chicken and the company logo adapts over the years, with the Colonel's face remaining at the forefront of the design.
1930 - The Big 40
When Harland turns 40, he buys a roadside motel in Corbin, Kentucky and begins serving his southern style chicken.
1939 - Top Secret
Finally, the Colonel perfects his unique blend of 11 herbs and spices that are still used today... and still top secret
1950 - Iconic
The Colonel dons his iconic white suit for the first time and from then on, wears one every time he's out in public.
1952 - First franchise
The first Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise opens near Salt Lake City, Utah.
1956 - On the road
Colonel Sanders sells his Corbin, Kentucky restaurant and goes on the road to sign up new KFC fanchisees.
1957 - The original bucket
Say “bucket of chicken” and you think KFC®. The original KFC® bucket from 1957 has now come to be recognized worldwide.
1964 - Time to step back
As a network of franchises grows across the USA, the Colonel feels it's time to slow down, and sells the KFC Company to investors.
1976 - Celebrity status
The Colonel is named the 2nd most recognizable celebrity in the world after an independent survey.
1980 - A legend passes
After a rich and full life, Harland Sanders sadly passes away at the age of 90. His legacy lives on through his Original Recipe chicken and the company logo adapts over the years, with the Colonel's face remaining at the forefront of the design.
Today
Today, KFC has the widest global footprint of any quick-service restaurant brand with 30,000+ restaurants in 150 countries and is one of the world’s fastest-growing retail brands.
