Uncovering the Colonel's Mask: The Story of the KFC Mascot's Name

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The KFC mascot is one of the most recognizable mascots in the fast food industry. The mascot's name is Colonel Sanders, and he is depicted as an older, Southern gentleman with white hair and a goatee. Colonel Sanders is dressed in a white suit with a bow tie and a bolo tie. He is often shown holding a bucket of KFC's signature fried chicken. Colonel Sanders was the founder and original face of KFC. He started the restaurant in 1952 in Corbin, Kentucky.



Harland Sanders

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  • Famous Entrepreneurs - Colonel Sanders
  • University of Houston - Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership - Biography of Colonel Harland Sanders
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While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.

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External Websites
  • Famous Entrepreneurs - Colonel Sanders
  • University of Houston - Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership - Biography of Colonel Harland Sanders
Also known as: Colonel Sanders Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Dec 23, 2023 • Article History Table of Contents Category: History & Society Byname: Colonel Sanders (Show more) Born: September 9, 1890, near Henryville, Indiana, U.S. (Show more) Died: December 16, 1980, Shelbyville, Kentucky (aged 90) (Show more)

He started the restaurant in 1952 in Corbin, Kentucky. The Colonel was known for his secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices, which is still used in KFC's original recipe chicken today. He also created the restaurant's unique cooking process, which involves pressure frying the chicken to lock in the flavor and keep it moist.

Recent News

Dec. 18, 2023, 6:31 AM ET (Yahoo News)

Harland Sanders (born September 9, 1890, near Henryville, Indiana, U.S.—died December 16, 1980, Shelbyville, Kentucky) American business executive, a dapper self-styled Southern gentleman whose white hair, white goatee, white double-breasted suits, and black string ties became a trademark in countries worldwide for Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Sanders, who quit school in seventh grade, held a variety of jobs before opening (1929) Sanders’ Cafe in the rear of a service station in Corbin, Kentucky. The cafe, which offered family-style dinners, soon gained a large clientele; and in 1935 Sanders received his honorary colonel’s title from the governor of Kentucky. He perfected his recipe for “finger lickin’ good chicken” in 1939 by using a secret blend of 11 spices and a pressure cooker to seal in flavour and moisture. After selling his restaurant, Sanders took to the road armed with his recipe but signed up only five restaurants in two years. By 1964, however, there were more than 600 franchises in the United States and Canada, and Sanders was making $300,000 a year.

In the same year, Sanders signed most of his fast-food empire over to John Brown of Kentucky and Jack Massey of Tennessee, providing that he received $2,000,000, a lifetime salary of $40,000 a year, and a seat on the board of directors. In 1971 the company, which boasted 3,500 franchises and $700,000,000 a year in business, was acquired by Heublein Corporation. Sanders remained active as an official ambassador and appeared in advertisements and commercials for the company even as a nonagenarian.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Adam Augustyn.

Kfc mascot name

KFC began with the blood, sweat and tears of one man, Colonel Harland Sanders. Born in 1890, he discovered his penchant for cooking at the mere age of 9. A man who valued hard work, grit and self-determination, he quit school in the sixth grade to earn money for his mother, brother, and sister after his father died.

In 1952, the Colonel achieved celebrity status when he decided to franchise his famous Kentucky Fried Chicken recipe blend of 11 herbs and spices to the rest of America. To date, there are more than 18,000 KFC outlets in 115 countries and territories around the world.

The Colonel's special recipe reached Malaysia in the 70s.

Kfc mascot name

Over the years, Colonel Sanders has become more than just KFC's mascot - he has become a pop culture icon. The character has appeared in countless commercials and advertisements, and his image is used on KFC's packaging and signage. In recent years, KFC has even brought the Colonel back to life with a series of actors portraying him in their marketing campaigns. The mascot's name, Colonel Sanders, reflects the character's persona as a Colonel in the Kentucky Fried Chicken Army. The title of Colonel was given to Harland Sanders, the real-life founder of KFC. The name adds a sense of authority and authenticity to the character, reinforcing the idea that KFC's fried chicken is made with a secret recipe that only the Colonel knows. In conclusion, the KFC mascot's name is Colonel Sanders. He is a beloved and recognizable figure who has become an integral part of KFC's branding and marketing. Whether he is appearing in commercials or adorning KFC's packaging, Colonel Sanders is a symbol of the restaurant's heritage and delicious fried chicken..

Reviews for "Behind the Bow Tie: The Name That Defines the KFC Mascot's Persona"

- Jane Doe - 2 stars - I was really disappointed when I found out that KFC's mascot is named "Colonel Sanders." I understand that he is the founder of the restaurant chain, but the name just doesn't sit right with me. It feels disrespectful and insensitive, especially considering the historical context of the term "colonel" and the association with militarism. I wish KFC would reconsider their mascot's name and choose something more inclusive and progressive.
- John Smith - 1 star - I can't understand why KFC decided to name their mascot "Colonel Sanders." It's such a strange and outdated choice. The concept of a colonel representing a fast food chain is bizarre, and it adds no value to the brand image. Additionally, the name is difficult to pronounce and remember. Overall, I find the mascot's name to be a poor decision on KFC's part.
- Sarah Johnson - 3 stars - While the name "Colonel Sanders" for KFC's mascot is not the most inspiring or creative choice, I don't think it's necessarily offensive. It simply reflects the history and origins of the brand. However, I do understand why some people might find it problematic and insensitive. It would be great if KFC could come up with a more modern and inclusive name, but I don't think it's a deal-breaker for me when it comes to enjoying their delicious fried chicken.
- Michael Thompson - 2 stars - I have to admit that the name "Colonel Sanders" for KFC's mascot doesn't make me want to rush to their restaurant. It sounds old-fashioned and doesn't align with the trendy and modern image that many fast-food chains are adopting. I think KFC missed an opportunity to come up with a more unique and memorable name that could better represent their brand. Overall, the choice of "Colonel Sanders" as the mascot's name feels uninspired and unappealing to me.

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