Originally Published by FranchiseWire
One of the most popular and beloved fast food brands is Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). The fast food franchise has more than 24,000 locations in over 145 countries. This iconic brand is the brainchild of Colonel Harland David Sanders, who came up with the world-famous chicken recipe of 11 herbs and spices after nearly a decade of perfecting it.
With the ubiquity of KFC franchise marketing — about 185 million people see a KFC commercial every week! — you have undoubtedly seen Sanders’ friendly smile and are aware of his world-famous chicken. But did you ever wonder about how it all started? What is the Colonel Sanders story and is Colonel Sanders even a real colonel?
The Colonel Sanders story started in 1890 when Harland David Sanders was born in Henryville, Ind. When Sanders was only six, his father passed away and he was left to cook for his siblings while their mother was away at work. This caused him to grow up quickly and become a tough person, and he dropped out of school in the seventh grade to become a farmhand.