The real history of Colonel Sanders

Colonel Sanders is popularly known as the mascot and founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken (now known mainly as KFC). Before KFC became internationally famous, it was started by Harland Sanders who used to run serve up simple dished at a gas station by the roadside.

Despite dying in 1980, Sanders and his likeness are world-famous for the connection to the KFC brand. Sanders originally created his recipe for fried chicken in the mid-1930s where his famous “11 herbs and spices” originated.

Sanders actually got into a shootout with a business rival early in his career, and the charges were dropped against him since he did not fire the first shot. Sanders was actually in the military and lied about his age to serve in Cuba in 1906, and was made an honorary colonel by the Governor of Kentucky Ruby Lafoon in 1935. Sanders embraced his honorary colonel title and discovered it was an effective marketing tactic to make him stand out from the competition.

Sanders had a very diversified job history before his fried chicken became world-famous. He had worked as a farmhand, and also worked in law and delivering babies as well. A brawl in the courtroom with a client ended his legal career, but he also operated a steamboat for some time.

Contrary to popular belief, the first official KFC franchise started in Utah and not Kentucky. Back then, KFC looked like a very unique regional menu in a place like Utah.

Sanders famously sued KFC after he sold the company because they wanted to block him starting his own chain after criticizing a drop in quality. They settled out of court on the condition that Sanders could give a cooking lesson to KFC executives.

That’s just some of the real history of Colonel Sanders.