7 little-known facts about Colonel Sanders, the founder of KFC

10/17/2016

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History Story: 7 little-known facts about Colonel Sanders, the founder of KFC

His face is known worldwide today, his fried chicken recipe is loved by millions of people, his empire is the second largest restaurant chain in the world. But did you know these 7 surprising facts about Colonel Harland Sanders?

Actually, some people still don't know the symbol of KFC was a real person who lived a truly remarkable life...

#1 He was not a military colonel

Sanders was a Kentucky Colonel, which is an honor bestowed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky for outstanding contribution to the community. Of course, Sanders got the title for his magnificent fried chicken recipe.

#2 He quit school at the age of 16...

...and tried various jobs. Sanders worked as railroad conductor and insurance salesman, was washed out from the army and rejected from law school. He even operated a steamboat ferry and delivered babies! Moreover, he got married at the age of 18, became a father at the age of 19 and, when Colonel was 20 years old, wife and daughter left him.

#3 A the age of 65 was ready to commit suicide, but became rich at the age of 68

Sanders thought his life wasn't worth living anymore. It was full of failures. Happily, after thinking for a while, he realized there WAS a thing - he was excellent at cooking! He started selling fried chicken to his neighbors in Kentucky, and that was the beginning of his empire.

#4 Sanders opened his first restaurant inside a gas station

People came to the gas station just to taste Sanders' wonderful ham and steak dinners. He didn't have enough time to cook chicken at the station, but later Colonel opened a cafe across the street and began to serve his famous chicken. Food critic Duncan Hines even included Sanders’ Café in his 1935 road-food guide.

#5 Colonel sold his chicken empire for $2 million

When Sanders was 74 years old, his chicken had already became legendary. He sold his unique recipe and methodology to an investment group led by two Kentucky businessmen in 1964. Sanders remained the KFC spokesman, earning $40,000 a year for it.

#6 He swore like a sailor!

This smiling gentleman in a white suit was "famous among K.F.C. people for the force and variety of his swearing."

#7 Sanders had his own Christmas albums

KFC sold these albums around Christmastime. Sanders didn't sing the songs, but each album featured his greeting. And the albums were popular in KFC stores!

Do you know any other interesting facts about the famous founder of KFC? We are waiting for your comments!

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What are your thoughts on this subject?

209 Comments

Nina Kamwene

A story of hope for the Golden Agers! We can still live a life of joy, fulfillment, and wealth. I am doing my part as a Life(Career-After-Retirement-Empowerment) CARE coach. We have an opportunity to contribute our gifts and talents as we 'play' this game called life, until we take our last breath. Are we having fun yet? Thank you Quizz folks.

Roberta King

He lived in Mississauga Canada for a long time.

Peter Wolf

He sold his business to John Y Brown , former governor of Kentucky. Now owned by PepsiCo . Owners of Taco Bell, Pizza Hut , and more.

Gayla Stahl

I am glad that he overcame the sucide thoughts.

lmoores

He spent time in Australia 🇦🇺 in the 50s on a spiritual retreat.

Caroline Weis

When Colonel Sanders sold his company he stipulated that his recipe not be changed, but some time later he got some of the chicken and deemed it not fit for a pig because his spice recipe and whole cooking process was changed so he bought the company back and the rest is history.

Dawn Brady

Diane Thompson, why be so judgemental when you don’t know why his wife left him, for all we know he might have treated her badly, plus I don’t think their baby girl had much choice in the matter!

Raymond Cardona

Colonel Sanders lived in Mississauga, Ontario Canada from 1965 until he passed away in 1980! Bonnie

Gordon Mehaffey

Robert Mookerdum, are you serious?

Satish Chandran

Vimala Padmaraj, y do u use capital letters?

Julie Allen

Diane Thompson, Don't think his daughter had a lot to say about leaving him when she was a year old.

Paul Eric Martin

He was famously overlooked by the TV show This is Your Life - the producers didn't know him and thought he wasn't interesting enough for their audience - and yes when the shows sponsors found out the producer was fired. Also in his office in Louisville is a safe and you're invited to try and crack it to get the secret recipe insider. He visited Moscow once during the cold war era and was mobbed in Red Square by Muscovites asking for his autograph - famous worldwide - you bet ya

Susan Golebiewski

Didn't know this about Colonel Sanders. Thank you for the information.

Tom Thistle

Peter Wolf, he sold his business to Dave Thomas founder of Wendy's.

Carol Bruyere

so interesting, there is always time to achieve your goal. What a beautiful story

Kathryn Sutherland

No, wrong man, don’t you remember Dave, who did a lot of commercials for adoption because he was adopted. He named his restaurants after his daughter, Wendy. Google it. He lived long after colonel Sanders died. Heather Holman,

Diane Thompson

Used to love their savoury rice when it first came out. Why they changed that I don't know. Very interesting info about the Colonel. I wonder if his wife and daughter eat his chicken? They don't even deserve a sniff!

Diane Thompson

Alan Michael Smaldon, hahaha - love your comment! My kind of humour.

mike wronna

Who cares if he sang Christmas songs?

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