Pinterest

Colonel Harland David Sanders: The Man Behind the World's Largest Fast-Food Chain

Early Life and Career

Colonel Harland David Sanders was born on September 9, 1890, in Henryville, Indiana. He had a troubled childhood marked by his father's early death and his mother's remarriage. At the age of 13, Sanders dropped out of school and began working odd jobs to support himself.

In his early 20s, Sanders joined the U.S. Army and served in Cuba during the Spanish-American War. After his discharge, he worked in various occupations, including as a streetcar conductor, insurance salesman, and gas station operator.

Culinary Beginnings

Sanders' culinary journey began in 1930 when he purchased a Shell gas station in Corbin, Kentucky. He began offering fried chicken to his customers, and his recipe quickly gained popularity.

In 1935, Kentucky Governor Ruby Laffoon bestowed upon Sanders the title of "Colonel Kentucky" in recognition of his contributions to the state's culinary scene.

Founding Kentucky Fried Chicken

In 1952, at the age of 62, Sanders began franchising his fried chicken recipe. The first Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) franchise was opened in Salt Lake City, Utah. Over the next few decades, KFC expanded rapidly, becoming the world's largest fast-food chain.

Sanders served as KFC's president and spokesperson until he sold the company to a group of investors in 1964. He remained a KFC ambassador until his death in 1980.

Philanthropy and Legacy

Despite his fame and wealth, Colonel Sanders was known for his generosity. He donated millions of dollars to various charities and supported numerous educational initiatives.

Colonel Harland David Sanders' legacy lives on as the founder of KFC, one of the most iconic and successful fast-food chains in the world. His fried chicken recipe and his distinctive image remain recognizable symbols of American culinary history.

Pinterest