Colonel Harland Sanders, an unknown name for the society for more than half of the century. And today, when you think of KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken), you picture crispy, golden-brown chicken, the mouthwatering aroma of 11 secret herbs and spices, or perhaps the friendly face of Colonel Harland Sanders smiling from the logo. But behind this global fast-food empire lies a story of relentless struggle, repeated failures, and an extraordinary comeback—one that didn’t happen until the age of 65.
Life tests you first then rewards you. Colonel Sanders’ life was anything but easy. He faced poverty, rejection, and multiple business failures before finally achieving success. His journey teaches us that it’s never too late to turn your life around—if you have the courage to keep going.
There is a lot to learn from a struggling cook to the founder of one of the world’s most famous fast-food chains.
Early Life and Struggles
Life was not easy for Sanders from very beginning. Harland David Sanders was born on September 9, 1890, in Henryville, Indiana. His father, Wilbur, died when Harland was just six years old, leaving his mother, Margaret, to raise three children alone.
Sanders had to participate in household works. With his mother working long hours, young Harland had to step up. By the age of seven, he was already cooking meals for his siblings—fried vegetables, stews, and simple dishes. This early responsibility planted the seeds of his future in cooking.
At ten, he started working as a farmhand to help support his family. By twelve, his mother remarried, but his stepfather was harsh, often beating him. Harland ran away from home and found work as a horse-drawn carriage painter, a streetcar conductor, and even a railroad fireman.
Life was tough, but Sanders never lost his determination. He worked hard at every job, learning skills that would later help him in business.
First handshake with business and failures
With very less options, a young man, Sanders tried multiple businesses, but nothing seemed to work out.
1. The Failed Steamboat Business
In his 20s, he worked on steamboats and dreamed of running his own ferry business. He saved money, bought a boat, and started transporting passengers. But soon, competition grew, and his business collapsed.
2. The Struggling Gas Station Owner
By the 1930s, Sanders was running a gas station in Corbin, Kentucky. To attract more customers, he began serving homemade meals—especially his Southern-style fried chicken. Travelers loved it, and soon, people were visiting just for the food, not the gas!
This led him to open Sanders Court & Café, a small restaurant with a motel. His fried chicken, cooked in a pressure fryer (a method he perfected), became famous.
3. The Highway That Ruined His Business
For years, his restaurant thrived. But in the 1950s, a new interstate highway was built, bypassing his town. Overnight, his customers disappeared. At 65 years old, Sanders was forced to sell his restaurant at a loss.
He was left with nothing but a small $105 monthly pension and a secret fried chicken recipe.
The Birth of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC)
As it is well said, “Defeat never comes to any man until he admits it”. Most people would have given up at this point. But not Colonel Sanders.
He believed in his secret recipe—a perfect blend of 11 herbs and spices. Instead of retiring, he decided to franchise his chicken.
The Lonely Road Trip
With nothing but his old car, a pressure cooker, and a bag of seasoning, Sanders drove across America, stopping at restaurants. His pitch was simple:
“If you like my chicken, I’ll teach you how to make it. You pay me 5 cents per chicken piece sold.”
Most restaurant owners laughed at him. Some slammed the door in his face. Others said, “Nobody wants your old-man chicken.”
He heard “NO” 1,009 times.
But then, Pete Harman, a restaurant owner in Salt Lake City, Utah, took a chance. The result? Customers lined up for hours. The demand was so high that Harman had to rent extra kitchen space just to keep up.
This was the turning point.
The First KFC Franchise
By 1952, Sanders had his first official franchise deal. He traveled tirelessly, cooking his chicken in restaurant kitchens, training staff, and expanding his brand.
The harder you work, the luckier you get
The turning point struck Sanders when he was 65 years of age. By 1964, KFC had 600 franchises. Sanders sold the company for $2 million. It may look a small amount today, in fact it is about $17 million today. He stayed as the brand’s face. His white suit, black tie, and friendly smile became iconic.
KFC grew into a global empire, with thousands of outlets worldwide. The man who once struggled to pay bills became a millionaire in his 70s!
Legacy of KFC
What started as a roadside café became a global phenomenon.
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- 1970s: KFC expanded internationally, opening stores in the UK, Japan, and beyond.
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- 1980s: The brand became one of the largest fast-food chains in the world.
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- Today: KFC operates over 25,000 outlets in 145+ countries, serving millions daily.
Colonel Sanders lived to see his dream come true. He passed away in 1980 at the age of 90, but his legacy lives on.
Key Lessons from His Life
1. Failure is Just a Step Toward Success
Sanders failed in multiple businesses before KFC. Yet, he never saw failure as the end.
2. Age is Just a Number
At 65, most people retire. Sanders started his empire.
3. Persistence Beats Talent
He was rejected 1,009 times before his first “YES.” Imagine if he had quit at 1,008?
4. Adapt or Die
When the highway killed his restaurant, he didn’t give up—he reinvented his business model.
5. Believe in Your Product
Even when others doubted him, Sanders knew his chicken was special. That confidence made KFC possible.
Final Thoughts
Next time you see a KFC bucket, remember:
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- It was built by a man who went bankrupt at 65.
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- It was built after 1,009 rejections.
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- It was built because one man refused to quit.
If Colonel Sanders could turn his life around after a lifetime of failures, what’s stopping you?
Very motivational