KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN (KFC)
When you see the smiling face of Colonel Sanders on a bucket of KFC chicken, you might just think of tasty fried food — but behind that logo lies one of the most remarkable true stories of perseverance, failure, and late success in business history.
The story of Harland David Sanders, founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), teaches us that it is never too late to chase your dreams — and that every failure can be a step toward success.
🍗 Early life and Struggles: Harland Sanders was born on September 9, 1890, in Henryville, Indiana, USA, into a poor farming family. His father died when Harland was just six years old, leaving his mother to work long hours to support the family. As the eldest child, Sanders took responsibility for cooking and caring for his younger siblings — a skill that would later shape his destiny.
But school wasn’t easy for him. He often clashed with teachers and dropped out by the seventh grade, at age 12. Over the years, he worked in a string of different jobs — as a farmhand, streetcar conductor, railroad fireman, insurance salesman, and even a ferryboat operator. However, he lost most of these jobs due to bad luck or disagreements with employers.
By his mid-30s, Sanders had already faced more failures than most people face in a lifetime — but he refused to give up.
🍗 The birth of his passion: In the early 1930s, during the Great Depression, Sanders began operating a service station in Corbin, Kentucky, where he also served meals to travellers. Word quickly spread about his delicious home-cooked dishes, especially his fried chicken.
He kept experimenting with spices and cooking techniques until he perfected his famous recipe — a blend of 11 herbs and spices, the exact ingredients of which remain a secret to this day. To make cooking faster, he also developed a unique pressure-frying technique, which allowed the chicken to cook quickly while staying crispy on the outside and tender inside.
By 1935, his food had gained so much popularity that the Governor of Kentucky awarded him the honorary title of “Colonel” — a title that would stick with him for life.
🍗 Setbacks and starting over: Despite his growing reputation, Sanders faced another major setback in the 1950s. A new interstate highway was built, bypassing Corbin, and traffic to his restaurant dropped drastically. At the age of 65, he was forced to sell his restaurant at a loss, leaving him with little more than his savings and his secret recipe.
For most people, this would have been the end. But not for Colonel Sanders.
At an age when most people retire, he decided to start over — determined to share his chicken recipe with the world.
🍗 Rejection after rejection: Armed with nothing but a few cooking utensils and his recipe, Sanders hit the road in his old car. He travelled across the United States, visiting restaurants, cooking for owners, and offering them a franchise deal — if they liked his chicken, they could sell it in their restaurant, and he would receive a small commission for every chicken sold.
He was rejected over 1,000 times before someone finally agreed to partner with him. Most restaurant owners laughed at the idea of paying for a recipe from a retired man. But Sanders persisted. His unwavering belief in his chicken eventually paid off when Pete Harman, a restaurant owner in Salt Lake City, Utah, agreed to franchise his recipe.
Together, they opened the first Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) outlet in 1952. Harman also came up with the brand’s famous tagline — “It’s Finger-Lickin’ Good!”
🍗 Rise to fame: By the early 1960s, KFC had become one of America’s fastest-growing food chains. Colonel Sanders, dressed in his trademark white suit and black string tie, became not only the brand’s face but also its living symbol of quality and care.
In 1964, at the age of 73, Sanders sold the company to a group of investors for $2 million, though he continued to serve as its ambassador and spokesperson. Under new management, KFC expanded rapidly, reaching over 600 franchises within the next few years and soon spreading internationally to Canada, the UK, Mexico, and beyond.
🍗 Legacy and life lessons: Colonel Sanders passed away in 1980 at the age of 90, but his legacy continues to live on through the global success of KFC, which now operates in more than 150 countries and serves millions of customers every day.
His life is a shining example of how persistence, resilience, and self-belief can turn even the hardest failures into lasting success. From losing jobs and businesses to being rejected hundreds of times, Sanders proved that age is no barrier and that determination can overcome almost anything.
🍗 Did You Know?
🐥The original handwritten “11 herbs and spices” recipe is kept in a vault at KFC headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky.
🐤Colonel Sanders received more than 1,000 rejections before finding his first franchise partner.
🐥 KFC was the first American fast-food chain to open in China (in 1987) — and is now one of the most popular restaurants there.
🐤The Colonel’s famous white suit became his personal trademark — he was even buried wearing it.
🍗 Conclusion: Colonel Harland Sanders’ story isn’t just about fried chicken — it’s about never giving up, no matter how many times you fail. He began his greatest success story at an age when most people stop dreaming. His journey from a poor farm boy to a global business icon continues to inspire millions to follow their passions, no matter the obstacles.
So, the next time you enjoy a crispy piece of KFC chicken, remember: it’s not just a recipe — it’s the taste of courage, persistence, and the power of believing in yourself.
