SaNdErs: SucCesS sTorY

(Version 1)

Out comes in the food industry literature was a trademark featuring an animated version of “The Colonel,” which has made a remarkable legend across the globe. Who can never recognize the famous logo accentuating a man who wears his beard and goatee, black western string tie, and white suit? Indeed! It was the massive global image of Colonel Harland Sanders who was the founder of one of the most successful multinational fast-food chains—the Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). Along with this artistic campaign are the popular advertising slogans "Follow your taste," "So good,” and "Finger lickin' good." Unveil Mr. Sanders’ spices of life and secret ingredients toward benchmark for success as you read on. 

Back then, Harland’s father died when he was six, and he amazingly mastered different dishes at the age of seven. In his early years, his love for cooking continue to flourish even if he had various odd jobs such as railroad fireman, soldier, insurance agent, steamboat pilot, and farmer.

Establishing his dream was bittersweet. Actually, the KFC’s fried chicken idea goes back to 1930 when Sanders, at the age of 40, first served his fried chicken in a dining area that he owned in North Corbin, Kentucky, which was then known as Sanders Court and Café where travelers were common customers. In a short span of his business name-building, he was granted by Kentucky Governor Ruby Laffoon the title of honorary Kentucky Colonel, recognizing his cooking skills and fame all over the state. Soon after were some expansions to cater the high demand.

Sanders’s quest for the perfect chicken is still on! In 1939, he ended up using pressure fryers that really hasten cooking time compared to his usual deep frying process. During this time was the search for the secret ingredients, and finally come up with the trademark Original Recipe in 1940. Found handwritten and signed by Sanders was a recipe having the exact amounts of the components, mainly eleven herbs and spices, which nowadays are being used by KFC in keeping foot its chicken. Would you believe that the spice mix has remained to be a trade secret up until now? 

At sixty, Sanders had to shut down his business during the construction of the new highway covering up his restaurant’s place. Unwilling to accept his fate, he was forced to franchise his chicken at the age of sixty-five. His relentless perseverance made him deal with several entrepreneurs to franchise and sell his trademark chicken. This was not a sweet revenge for him after all. History has it that he was rejected more than one thousand times before hearing the first “yes.” He sold the entire KFC franchising operation at age seventy-four, and over the years, a number of owners have handled the company to date.

 It’s never too late for anyone to stand up for what they believe in, and for those who aspire and try regardless of age; anyway, isn’t it just a number? Always recall this motivational story of a great man who actually started at the age of sixty-five, ironically when most retire, but now has been internationally renowned out of his finger lickin’ masterpiece.           

(Version 2)

The experience of rejection can lead to negative feelings such as loneliness, insecurity, depression, and low self-esteem. However, this claim was not true to Harland Sanders, the founder of KFC—now considered one of the most successful multinational fast food chains in the world. His achievement was real fruit of labor. Sanders had overcome over a thousand rejections because of genuine dedication, hard work, and perseverance. Read on and learn his secret ingredient to a successful life.

Back then, Harland’s father died when he was six. He had to cook regularly for his family. That made him amazingly mastered many dishes at the age of seven. In his early years, his love for cooking continue to flourish even if he had various odd jobs such as railroad fireman, soldier, insurance agent, steamboat pilot, and farmer.

Establishing his dream was bittersweet. Actually, the KFC’s fried chicken idea goes back to 1930 when Sanders, at the age of 40, first served his fried chicken in a dining area that he owned in North Corbin, Kentucky, which was then known as Sanders Court and Café where travelers were common customers. In a short span of his business name-building, he was granted by Kentucky Governor Ruby Laffoon the title of honorary Kentucky Colonel, recognizing his cooking skills and fame all over the state. Soon after were some expansions to cater the high demand.

Sanders’ quest for the perfect chicken is still on! In 1939, he ended up using pressure fryers that really quicken cooking time compared to his usual deep frying process. During this time was the search for the secret ingredients, and finally come up with the trademark Original Recipe in 1940. Found handwritten and signed by Sanders was a recipe having the exact amounts of the components, mainly eleven herbs and spices, which nowadays are being used by KFC in chicken preparation. Would you believe that the spice mix has remained to be a trade secret up until now? 

At sixty, Sanders had to close his business during the construction of the new highway covering up his restaurant’s place. Unwilling to accept his fate, he was forced to franchise his chicken at the age of sixty-five. His relentless perseverance made him deal with several entrepreneurs to franchise and sell his trademark chicken. This was not a sweet revenge for him after all. History has it that he was turned down more than one thousand times, particularly 1009 “no” before hearing the first “yes.” He sold the entire KFC franchising operation at age seventy-four, and over the years, a number of owners have managed the company to date.

It’s never too late for anyone to stand up for what they believe in, and for those who aspire and try regardless of age. Always recall the motivational story of this great man who actually started at the age of sixty-five, ironically when most retire, but now has been internationally known out of his finger lickin’ masterpiece.