Great American Success Story

Great American Success Story

Colonel Harland Sanders

There’s a great story behind the man who wanted every housewife in America to take a night off from cooking during the week and pick up a bucket of “finger lickin’ good” fried chicken for her family.   

I discovered Col. Harland Sanders The Autobiography of the Original Celebrity Chef on the Kentucky Fried Chicken Facebook page.  This long forgotten manuscript written in 1966 is an amazing story.  An American success story. Perhaps a story only possible in America. 

What motivated him to build Kentucky Fried Chicken?  Turns out when he was 65 the government built a new interstate highway that directed traffic away from his restaurant.  His restaurant closed but the soon to be world famous cook took with him a secret recipe for fried chicken.

In his autobiography Sanders says, “The idea of a 66-year old man practically starting all over again was daunting, but it was the most interesting part of my life.  At my age it was a challenge, despite having faith in my product, in me and in my ability to pull it off.”

Sanders was born into a poor family in 1890.  His father died when Harland was five years old and his mother took in the neighbors’ sewing to support the family later working three miles from home peeling tomatoes.  Harland took over much of the household responsibilities including caring for younger siblings and cooking for the family.  He became quite an accomplished cook.

Harland took his first job at the age of ten working on a farm.  He dropped out of school in the seventh grade and by the time he was nineteen he had painted carriages, worked as a streetcar conductor, volunteered in the Army at age 15 (he doesn’t remember them asking his age), and held down various jobs for the railroad. He married at 18, soon welcomed a daughter and taught his young bride how to cook. His path to Kentucky Fried Chicken took many twists and turns over the years as he tried his hand as an insurance salesman, a ferry boat entrepreneur, tire salesman and politician.

By the time he was 40 he was operating a service station in Kentucky.  With a motto of “hard work works” while always giving away a service, something a little extra like washing your windows and checking your oil, he built enviable customer loyalty. In 1930 travelers had limited options for finding a decent meal along the way.  Sanders recognized the need and began cooking for the hungry folks who stopped for gas.  He served guests at the dining table in a small area of the service station that was his home.

The food was good. Very good.  The entrepreneur seized the opportunity, offered a quality product and another American success story was born.  As people heard about his food they started to come to the station for a good meal.  The house specialty was fried chicken made with a secret blend of 11 herbs and spices. He became so successful he had to move across the street to accommodate the growing number of customers. In 1935 Governor Ruby Laffoon of the Commonwealth of Kentucky appointed him to the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels for his contributions to the state as a restaurateur.  

His success was threatened in 1955 when the new highway literally closed his restaurant.  He was a retirement age and eligible for social security.  He had little else to his name.  But what he did have made him world famous and successful beyond his dreams.  He had a secret recipe for "finger lickin' good" fried chicken.

He knew by this time that his chicken was top quality and set about franchising the company with proceeds from auctioning off everything in his restaurant.  His monthly social security check of $150 paid his gasoline to take him all around the countryside looking for that first investor.  He ate only when he had to and was appreciative of complimentary meals when he visited restaurants.  Finally after countless “no’s” he got a “yes.” 

His business and his fame grew.  Eventually he allowed himself a $30,000 annual salary and, disliking dependency, dropped his Social Security check.  The rest as they say is history.

Through all of the ups and downs of building his successful business he never borrowed any money and never issued stock. He was known as a perfectionist who never compromised on quality or service.  He was a showman mingling with surprised guests at various franchises wearing his famous white suit and goatee. He loved to work and, in addition to the Golden Rule, followed two other rules: “Do all you can, and do it the best you can.”  Things change but these rules are timeless.  His story is the proof.