Insights on Achievement and Resilience from Colonel Sanders' Quotes

A Legendary Life: Colonel Harland Sanders and the Birth of Kentucky Fried Chicken

Colonel Harland Sanders, born on September 9, 1890, in Henryville, Indiana, would go on to create a culinary sensation that has become a global phenomenon. His journey began in the 1930s, when he started frying chicken at his service station in Corbin, Kentucky.

Sanders' secret recipe, containing 11 herbs and spices, became the cornerstone of his business. It was a recipe that he honed over time, having read hundreds of cookbooks as a firm advocate for continuous learning and growth.

In 1952, the first KFC restaurant opened its doors in Salt Lake City, Utah. The key person involved in the development of KFC as a franchisee during Colonel Sanders' lifetime was Pete Harman, who became the first franchisee in 1952. Colonel Sanders traveled across the USA between 1952 and 1956 to convince restaurant operators to use his chicken recipe. By 1964, there were around 600 KFC locations in the USA and Canada.

Throughout his life, Sanders faced numerous challenges and setbacks, including the death of his father when he was six years old and his mother working long hours in a tomato canning factory. However, he remained resilient, believing in the power of persistence and hard work. As he once said, "The hard way builds solidly a foundation of confidence that cannot be swept away."

Sanders' relationship with his employees and franchisees was remarkable. He treated them like his own family, forming strong bonds that extended beyond business. He maintained close relationships with both his ex-wife Josephine and his children, and his marriage to Claudia Ledington-Price in 1949 marked a significant period in the growth of KFC as a renowned global brand.

However, Sanders' relationship with Heublein Inc., the company he sold his company to in 1971, was tumultuous. He observed the quality of his beloved KFC degrade and engaged in several legal battles to protect his vision for the future of his brand.

Despite these challenges, Sanders remained generous and giving, stating, "Feed the poor and get rich or feed the rich and get poor." This philosophy was evident in his personal life, as well as in his business dealings.

Colonel Sanders passed away on December 16, 1980, leaving behind a legacy that is famous worldwide. Today, KFC has more than 24,000 restaurants in over 145 countries and territories, a testament to the enduring appeal of his secret recipe and the spirit of hard work and persistence that he embodied.