1890

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

Harland Sanders is born in Henryville, Indiana. He spends his early years making his way around the southern states, trying his hand working as a steamboat pilot, railroad fireman and farmer.

1930

THE BIG 40

When Harland turns 40, he buys a roadside motel in Corbin, Kentucky and begins serving

his southern style chicken.

1935

THE COLONEL

Harland’s restaurant is doing so well he is commissioned as "Kentucky Colonel"by the state governor for outstanding achievement in the community.

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 franchisees.

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.

1965

FIRST UK RESTAURANT OPENS

The UK opens it’s first KFC restaurant in Preston, Lancashire.

1976

CELEBRITY STATUS

The Colonel is named the 2nd most recognisable 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

LOOKING AHEAD...

To create healthier food and lower the carbon footprint, palm oil is replaced with rapeseed oil in the UK in 2011. There are now over 860 restaurants in the UK, one that becomes a concept store in 2014.