KFC

Colonel Sanders, the founder of KFC, was born in 1890 on a farm in Henryville, Indiana. After losing his father at a young age, his mother had to work to support the family, leading Sanders to take on cooking responsibilities for his siblings.

At the age of 12, Harland Sanders took on the responsibility of caring for his two siblings and cooking for them while his mother worked to support the family.

After facing difficulties with his stepfather who did not accept his presence, Harland Sanders made the tough decision to leave home at the age of 13.

In 1930, Harland Sanders opened the 'Sanders Court & Café,' which later evolved into the famous Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) chain known for its secret blend of 11 herbs and spices.

In 1938, the founder of KFC finally perfected his fried chicken recipe by adding 11 herbs and spices, which are still a closely guarded secret by the company.

In 1939, Harland Sanders modified a pressure cooker into a pressure fryer to fry chicken faster. This new method reduced production time while maintaining the quality of pan-fried chicken.

Kentucky Governor Ruby Laffoon bestows the title of Honorary Kentucky Colonel upon Harland Sanders as a recognition of his significant contributions to the state's cuisine.

Colonel Sanders inaugurates the first KFC franchise, a pivotal moment that laid the foundation for the global success of the Kentucky Fried Chicken brand.

In 1955, Colonel Sanders sold the Sanders Court & Café.

By 1963, there were 600 KFC restaurants all over the USA, making it the largest fast food chain in the country. Franchising played a significant role in the growth of the Colonel's business.

On May 1, 1965, the first Kentucky Fried Chicken eatery in the United Kingdom opened its doors in Preston, Lancashire, marking KFC's expansion into Europe.

After renegotiating the contract with Colonel Sanders to grant him exclusive rights over Canada, KFC went public in 1966.

By 1970, the number of KFC outlets had increased to 3000 in 48 different countries.

In May 1965, KFC opened its first overseas branch in Preston, Lancashire, England. This marked the beginning of KFC's global expansion outside the United States.

In July 1971, John Y. Brown sold Kentucky Fried Chicken to Heublein for US$285 million, personally gaining around $35 million from the sale.

In 1975, Heublein settled out of court with Colonel Sanders for US$1 million, allowing his restaurant venture to go ahead under the reworked name: 'Claudia Sanders Dinner House'.

Colonel Harland Sanders, the founder of KFC, passed away in 1980 at the age of 90, leaving behind a legacy of his famous Original Recipe chicken.

In 1982, Heublein, the company that owned KFC, was acquired by R. J. Reynolds, the tobacco giant. This acquisition had implications for the management of KFC.

In July 1986, R. J. Reynolds sold KFC to PepsiCo for a book value of $850 million, marking the acquisition by PepsiCo.

In November 1987, KFC became the first Western restaurant chain in China, with an outlet in Beijing.

In August 1989, John Cranor proposed amendments to the existing 1976 contract for US franchisees of KFC. The proposed changes included allowing PepsiCo to take over weak franchises, increasing royalty fees, and not safeguarding existing restaurants against competition.

In 1990, Kentucky Fried Chicken officially rebranded to KFC after the Commonwealth of Kentucky trademarked the name, leading to a more concise and modern brand identity.

In March 1991, Kentucky Fried Chicken officially adopted the abbreviated name 'KFC', which was already widely known by that initialism. The change was made to represent the diversified menu of the chain and to move away from the unhealthy connotations of 'fried'.

In 1996, KFC repaired its relationship with franchisees by dropping contentious contract terms proposed by John Cranor. The company also introduced a new non-fried chicken called Tender Roast, which led to consecutive growth in KFC North America.

In August 1997, PepsiCo spun off its poorly performing restaurants division as a public company named Tricon Global Restaurants. This move valued the company at US$4.5 billion and included KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell.

In May 2002, Tricon Global Restaurant Inc. rebranded itself as Yum! Brands, encompassing brands like KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut.

In 2008, actress Pamela Anderson, along with PETA, revealed the harsh realities of how KFC produces its famous buckets of chicken, criticizing the fast-food chain for animal cruelty.

In 2010, KFC introduced the Double Down sandwich, which featured bacon and cheese sandwiched between two breaded chicken filets. Despite criticism for its high calorie and fat content, the Double Down became a viral sensation, reflecting KFC's bold approach to fast food innovation.

On March 31, 2011, Priszm, owner of KFC in Canada, filed for bankruptcy protection in Ontario and British Columbia.

In 2014, a rumor circulated on the internet claiming that KFC was using mutant chickens to produce more meat. However, this rumor was later proven to be false.

By 2015, KFC was facing challenges and launched a new initiative to revamp its packaging, decor, and menu to regain market share.

In 2019, Australia rebranded KFC back to its original name, 'Kentucky Fried Chicken'.

As of July 27, 2020, KFC has a brand value of US $8.3 billion and sales of $27.9 billion, with a presence in 135 countries.

KFC is exploring plant-based meat options and utilizing new technologies to enhance its business expansion.

March 27, 2024 marks a significant milestone for KFC as the company attains gender parity across its global corporate offices, showcasing a commitment to diversity and equality.