Colonel Sanders

What if one man's secret spice recipe could travel around the world in a red-and-white bucket? That's the real-life story of Colonel Sanders.

Colonel Harland Sanders (1890–1980) was an American cook and businessman in the 20th century. He is best known as the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). This short talk focuses on how his special fried-chicken recipe and his hard work turned a small roadside restaurant into a global fast-food brand.

In the 1930s and 1940s Sanders ran a service station and a café in Corbin, Kentucky, where he perfected a secret blend of '11 herbs and spices' and a fast cooking method. At age 62 he began franchising KFC, traveling across the United States to sign up shop owners. His image—white suit, string tie and goatee—became the international symbol of KFC. He sold the company in 1964 but remained the brand’s friendly ambassador. He also became the face of the brand, appearing in ads and on signs so people would recognize KFC stores.

Why it matters: Colonel Sanders showed that one good idea, lots of practice, and never giving up can change the world of food. Next time you see a KFC bucket, you'll know it began with a man who loved cooking and believed in his recipe.