The 411 - Origins of KFC

 

KFC, also known as Kentucky Fried Chicken, was founded by Harland Sanders in 1952 in North Corbin, Kentucky, USA. However, the origins of KFC actually go back to the 1930s, when Sanders began cooking and selling fried chicken at a gas station he owned in Corbin, Kentucky.

Sanders' fried chicken became very popular, and he eventually opened a restaurant called "Sanders Court & Cafe" where he served his signature dish. As his restaurant grew in popularity, Sanders developed his own secret blend of 11 herbs and spices to season his chicken, and he began franchising his concept to other restaurants in the 1950s.

The KFC brand name was adopted in 1952, when Sanders began franchising his restaurants under that name. KFC has since grown to become one of the largest and most well-known fast food chains in the world, with over 24,000 locations in more than 145 countries.

The change from Kentucky Fried Chicken was an attempt to downplay the "fried" part of this wondrous tasting dish. 

The exact recipe for KFC's 11 herbs and spices is a closely guarded secret, and only a small group of people are said to know the full recipe. However, over the years, various sources have speculated about what the secret blend of herbs and spices might include.

According to KFC, the official recipe is kept in a safe in Louisville, Kentucky, and only a few executives have access to it. However, the company has revealed that the seasoning blend includes salt, thyme, basil, oregano, celery salt, black pepper, dried mustard, paprika, garlic salt, ground ginger, and white pepper.

Some sources have claimed that there are other ingredients in the blend, such as sage, bay leaves, and cinnamon. However, KFC has never confirmed or denied these rumours.

Regardless of the exact ingredients, KFC's signature blend of herbs and spices is what gives its fried chicken its distinctive and beloved flavour.

KFC changed their name from Kentucky Fried Chicken to KFC in 1991 for marketing and branding purposes. At the time, there were rumors and concerns about the quality of the chicken served at KFC. Some people even claimed that the company was using genetically modified or mutant chickens to increase their profits.

To counter these rumours and concerns, KFC decided to change their name to KFC, which was easier to say and remember. The company also wanted to modernize its image and appeal to a younger generation of consumers.

Contrary to some rumours, KFC did not change its name because they were no longer legally allowed to use the word "chicken" in their name. The name change was solely a marketing decision.

Source: Some or all of the content was generated using an AI language model