Wednesday, May 7, 2008

How a Famous Franchisor Got His Start in Retirement

Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) is one of the most famous franchises in the world, but many may not be aware how this global franchise got its start. This article, has a great synopsis on how Harland Sanders, named an honorary Kentucky colonel, was able to build a global franchise from the humble beginnings in a modest gas station kitchen in Kentucky. "After a fire, he rebuilt with a restaurant and hotel that were popular with travelers—until a new interstate highway diverted traffic away from the spot. Sanders, then in his 50s, hung up his apron and prepared for retirement. Convinced there was a larger market for his secret-recipe chicken, he set about selling it to restaurant owners door-to-door." Sanders sold his interest in the U.S. company in 1964 when he was 74. The famous logo recently changed for the fourth time in 50 years a couple of years ago. According to this article, "The company unveiled a new brand logo Tuesday that includes bolder colors and a more well-defined visage of the late Kentucky Fried Chicken founder, who will keep his classic black bow tie, glasses and goatee. This change gives us a chance not only to make sure we stay relevant but also communicates to customers the realness of Colonel Sanders and the fact that he was a chef,” said Gregg Dedrick, president of KFC’s U.S. division.

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