Jake Harper
Colonel Harland Sanders, the founder of the fast-food chain Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), is known for his distinctive appearance, which includes a white suit, black string tie, and bleached moustache and goatee. This iconic look has become synonymous with the brand, and Sanders remained the face of the company even after selling it. While there are no indications that Colonel Sanders' face is featured on KFC's buckets, his image has been used extensively in the company's advertising campaigns, and he is instantly recognisable as the face of KFC.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Colonel Sanders' facial hair | Mustache and goatee |
| Colonel Sanders' hair colour | White |
| Colonel Sanders' suit colour | White |
| Colonel Sanders' tie colour | Black |
| Colonel Sanders' influence | The face of the company |
| KFC's former name | Kentucky Fried Chicken |
| KFC's current name | KFC |
| KFC's number of restaurants | 23,000 |
| KFC's number of countries | More than 135 |
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What You'll Learn
Colonel Sanders' iconic look
Colonel Harland Sanders, the founder of the Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) restaurant chain, is known for his iconic look, which includes a white suit, a black string tie, a black bow tie, a pair of shiny black shoes, and signature spectacles. He is also known for his white hair and matching bleached mustache and goatee. This distinctive appearance has been the subject of many Halloween costumes and has been replicated in various advertisements and pop culture references.
The evolution of Colonel Sanders' iconic look began with his honorary title of Kentucky Colonel, bestowed upon him by Governor Ruby Laffoon in 1935. This title, given to distinguished gentlemen of the South, inspired Sanders to cultivate a specific image. He initially wore a black frock coat and a string tie, but later switched to a white suit, which had the added benefit of hiding flour stains. He also grew a goatee and mustache, which he bleached to match his white hair.
Sanders' decision to adopt this particular look was a strategic marketing choice. By creating a recognizable appearance, he made himself into the literal face of the company. This distinctive image helped him as he travelled the country, signing up franchisees and expanding the KFC empire.
Even after selling the company, Colonel Sanders remained closely associated with the brand. He continued to appear in TV commercials and make public appearances, always donning his signature white suit and black tie. His enduring influence over executives and franchisees was such that they respected his culinary expertise and feared his disapproval of any deviations from "the Colonel's chicken."
Today, Colonel Sanders' iconic look continues to be a source of fascination and inspiration. It has been replicated in Halloween costumes, with enthusiasts paying close attention to the details of the white suit, black tie, and shiny black shoes. The look has also been referenced in popular culture, with actors such as Rob Riggle, Billy Zane, and Rob Lowe portraying Sanders in various KFC advertisements.
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The history of the KFC bucket
Harland Sanders, the founder of KFC, played a crucial role in the early days of the company and its subsequent success. Born in 1890, Sanders developed and perfected his famous fried chicken recipe in his 40s, which later made him rich and famous. In 1930, Sanders began serving meals, including chicken dishes, to truck drivers from a roadside gas station in Corbin, Kentucky. Over time, his popularity grew, and he opened the Sanders Café, where he served chicken fried in an iron skillet.
In 1935, Sanders was commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel by Kentucky Governor Ruby Laffoon. He embraced the title and cultivated his distinctive look, including a white suit, a black bow tie, and a bleached mustache and goatee to match his white hair. This unique style became synonymous with the Colonel and has been replicated in Halloween costumes and advertisements featuring actors portraying him.
As Sanders' business expanded, he recognized the potential of restaurant franchising. In 1952, he opened the first Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise in Salt Lake County, Utah, with Pete Harman as his first franchisee. Harman played a pivotal role in the chain's development, trademarking the famous slogan, "It's finger lickin' good."
The introduction of the KFC bucket in 1957 was a strategic move to appeal to families, offering a convenient and affordable meal option. The bucket's design featured the trademark image of Colonel Sanders in his iconic outfit, reinforcing the brand's association with the Colonel. This visual branding, along with the unique packaging, helped to establish KFC's presence in the fast-food industry and contributed to its expansion.
Over the years, KFC experienced mixed success domestically, undergoing several changes in corporate ownership. Despite this, the company continued to expand internationally, particularly in the 1970s and 1980s, with a strong presence in Japan, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Sanders remained a symbol of the company even after selling it, traveling extensively to promote the brand and maintain its culinary standards.
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The colonel's influence over franchisees
Harland "Colonel" Sanders, the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, was not only the instantly recognisable face of the company but also retained much influence over franchisees, who respected his culinary expertise. In fact, even after selling the company in 1964, Sanders travelled 200,000 miles a year on the company's behalf, filming many TV commercials and appearances.
Sanders was a perfectionist, haunted by the fear that someone, somewhere, was doing something to hurt his chicken. He was particularly vexed by franchisees tampering with his recipes, undercooking or overcooking, or simplifying them to cut costs and time. He was also famously displeased with the company's gravy, which he believed was inferior to his own recipe.
Sanders was eager for franchisees but did not take on just anyone. He sought prestigious franchisees, such as the owners of large restaurants or friends among the officers of the National Restaurant Association. His first franchisee was Pete Harman, a friend who operated one of the largest restaurants in Salt Lake City, Utah. Harman's restaurant pioneered the famous bucket container and the "Kentucky Fried Chicken" moniker.
Sanders' influence over franchisees was such that he would make surprise visits to KFC restaurants, and if the food disappointed him, he would denounce it as "God-damned slop" or push it onto the floor. His colourful language and temper were well-known, and he was not afraid to stand up for what he believed in. This influence extended beyond his death in 1980, as he allegedly put a hex on a baseball team whose fans had tossed his statue into a river in celebration.
Overall, Colonel Sanders' influence over franchisees was significant, shaped by his culinary expertise, strong personality, and commitment to maintaining the quality of his chicken.
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The colonel's legacy after his death
Colonel Harland Sanders, the founder of the Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) restaurant chain, has left a lasting legacy that continues to be celebrated even after his death. Sanders was known for his distinctive appearance, donning a white suit, a black bowtie, shiny black shoes, and signature spectacles. He also sported a bleached mustache and goatee to match his white hair, a look he maintained for every public appearance in the last two decades of his life.
Sanders' impact on the food industry began in 1930 when he started serving meals to truck drivers at a roadside gas station in Corbin, Kentucky. Although fried chicken was not initially on the menu due to its lengthy preparation time, Sanders' popularity grew with dishes like country ham and steak dinners. This success led him to open Sanders Café, where he introduced chicken fried in an iron skillet. By 1940, Sanders had perfected his "Secret Recipe" for frying chicken in a pressure fryer, reducing the cooking time significantly.
The colonel's fame and influence extended beyond his lifetime. Even after selling the company, he remained its symbol, travelling extensively on KFC's behalf and appearing in numerous TV commercials. He retained influence over executives and franchisees, who respected his culinary expertise. Sanders was known for his strong opinions and would not hesitate to express his disappointment if a KFC restaurant's food fell short of his expectations. In 1973, he sued Heublein Inc., the then-parent company of KFC, over the alleged misuse of his image.
Sanders' legacy is also reflected in the continued use of his image in popular culture. In recent years, actors such as Rob Riggle, Billy Zane, and Rob Lowe have portrayed him in KFC advertisements. WWE wrestler Dolph Ziggler even dressed up as the colonel during a commercial. Additionally, Sanders' unique style has inspired Halloween costumes, often including a bucket of fried chicken as a playful nod to his association with KFC.
The colonel's impact extends beyond his role in building a global fast-food empire. His life story, including his varied career path and road to success in the fried chicken business, continues to capture the public's imagination. His journey serves as a testament to perseverance and the power of turning a simple recipe into a worldwide phenomenon.
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The colonel's costume for Halloween
Colonel Harland Sanders, the founder of the famous Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) restaurant chain, is known for his distinctive appearance. Even after his death in 1980, Sanders remains the instantly recognisable face of the company. His white suit, black bow tie, and matching white hair, moustache, and goatee are iconic. So, if you're looking to dress up as the Colonel for Halloween, here's what you'll need to do:
Firstly, you'll need to get your hands on a white suit. This is an essential part of the Colonel's costume. You can find these suits at various costume shops or online retailers. The suit should be crisp and well-fitted.
Next, you'll need to accessorise. Start with a black bow tie or a black western tie, depending on your preference and what you can source. Add a pair of shiny black shoes or, if you want to be more comfortable, a pair of black Oxford shoes. To complete the look, don't forget the signature spectacles—go for half-frame glasses. If you want to go the extra mile, you can carry a wooden cane and a red apron as additional accessories.
Now, let's talk about the hair and beard. If you're blessed with white hair, a moustache, and a goatee, you're already set. If not, you can easily purchase a Colonel Sanders wig and beard set online or from a costume shop.
Finally, no Colonel Sanders costume is complete without some fried chicken! You have a few options here. You could carry a bucket of fried chicken, either real or fake, or you could opt for a chicken stuffed animal. If you're feeling creative, you could even dress up as a bucket of chicken or wear a chicken costume yourself!
And there you have it—your very own Colonel Sanders costume for Halloween. It's sure to be a "cluckin' good time"!
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Colonel Harland Sanders' face is on a bucket of chicken. He was the founder of the Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) restaurant chain and remained the company's symbol after selling it.
Colonel Sanders' face became the literal face of the company. He had a recognisable look, with his signature white suit, black string tie, and bleached moustache and goatee. Having a recognisable look helped him when he started hitting the road to sign up franchisees.
Colonel Sanders did not invent the bucket of chicken. It was Pete Harman, a friend of Sanders and the owner of one of the largest restaurants in Salt Lake City, who pioneered the famous bucket container and used the “Kentucky Fried Chicken” moniker.
