Whether you’re a fan of their chicken or not, there’s no denying that KFC is one of the most popular fast-food chains in the world. With its roots dating back to the 1930s, the company has a long and interesting history. It is known for its fried chicken and its signature green and red logo. Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, KFC has been serving up their famous fried chicken to customers since the 1930s.
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KFC’s menu features a variety of chicken dishes, as well as salads, sides, and desserts. The restaurant’s signature dish is its original recipe fried chicken, which is made with 11 herbs and spices. Other popular menu items include the Kentucky Grilled Chicken, the Extra Crispy Chicken, and the Colonel’s Crispy Strips.
So, how did it all start? It wasn’t always fried chicken and famous logos. Keep reading to learn everything there is to know about the history of KFC.
Colonel Harland Sanders was born in 1890 in Henryville, Indiana. He was the oldest of three children and was orphaned at an early age. Sanders began working when he was just a boy, taking on a variety of odd jobs. When he was 16, he started working as a farmhand and then later as a railway worker.
In 1906, Sanders moved to Louisville, Kentucky, where he got his first job in the food industry as a dishwasher. He eventually worked his way up to become a cook and then a restaurant manager.
The Early Years: 1930-1939
KFC was founded by Colonel Harland Sanders in 1930. The Colonel began selling fried chicken from his roadside restaurant in Corbin, Kentucky. He used a pressure cooker to fry the chicken, which reduced the cooking time from 30 minutes to just 9 minutes. Sanders named his restaurant “Kentucky Fried Chicken” and began franchising his chicken restaurant in 1952.
KFC – The 60s: Expansion Across the Globe
KFC experienced rapid growth in the 1960s. The company expanded across the United States and Canada. In 1964, KFC became a public company on the Stock Exchange. The same year, Sanders sold the company to a group of investors led by John Y. Brown, Jr. for $2 million.
In 1967, KFC opened its first international restaurant in England. The company continued to expand internationally throughout the 1970s and 1980s. By the end of the 1980s, KFC had locations in over 30 countries.
KFC – The 90s and Beyond
In 1991, KFC was acquired by PepsiCo, Inc. for $3.3 billion. PepsiCo spun off its restaurant business in 1997, creating the publicly traded company Tricon Global Restaurants, Inc., which later changed its name to Yum! Brands, Inc. In the early 2000s, KFC began to focus on expanding in emerging markets such as China and India.
KFC has come a long way since its humble beginnings in Kentucky. The company is now one of the largest fast food restaurant chains in the world. With over 25,000 locations in 145 countries, there’s a good chance you’ve had a taste of the Colonel’s famous chicken. KFC is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., which also owns Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. Whether you love it or hate it, there’s no denying that KFC is a fast food legend.
KFC in Pop Culture
KFC has also left an indelible mark on popular culture. The character of the Colonel, with his iconic white suit and black string tie, has been parodied in countless television shows and movies. The chain’s catchphrase, “finger-lickin’ good,” has become synonymous with the brand and is recognized around the world.
One of the most interesting facts about KFC is its unique blend of 11 herbs and spices, which is used to season their chicken. The recipe has been a closely guarded secret since the company’s inception, with only a handful of people having access to it at any given time. In fact, the original recipe is stored in a high-security vault at KFC’s headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky.
Despite facing criticism over their menu choices and nutritional value, KFC continues to be a popular choice for fast food consumers around the globe. With new menu items and promotions released regularly, the chain shows no signs of slowing down. From its humble beginnings in a small Kentucky town, to its status as a global fast food powerhouse, KFC has earned its place in both culinary and pop culture history.
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