Business & Money • Entrepreneur

Colonel Sanders

Colonel Sanders was the public persona of Harland David Sanders, an American businessman best known for founding Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC).

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Colonel Sanders was the public persona of Harland David Sanders, an American businessman best known for founding Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). He became one of the most recognizable figures in fast food, serving as the company's founder and later its brand ambassador.

Early life

Harland David Sanders was born near Henryville, Indiana, in 1890. He worked in several jobs before entering the restaurant business.

Founding KFC

Sanders began serving fried chicken at a service station in Corbin, Kentucky, and later turned the recipe into a franchise business that became Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). He developed and promoted a pressure-cooker method and a signature seasoning blend for his chicken.

Public image

Sanders became known for his white suit, white hair, goatee, and black string tie, which became part of KFC's brand identity. The title "Colonel" came from the honorary Kentucky Colonel designation, which helped shape his public image.

Later years

He sold the KFC business in 1964 and later remained associated with the brand as an ambassador. He died in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1980 at age 90.

Key facts

Harland Sanders was born in 1890 near Henryville, Indiana, and died in 1980 at age 90.
He founded the fried chicken restaurant business that became Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC).
Sanders developed and promoted a pressure-cooker method and a signature seasoning blend for his chicken.
He sold the KFC business in 1964 and later remained associated with the brand as an ambassador.
The title "Colonel" came from the honorary Kentucky Colonel designation, which helped shape his public image.

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Canadian context

KFC became an international fast-food brand, including in Canada, where Colonel Sanders' image and recipe remain part of the chain's branding.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Colonel Sanders?

Colonel Sanders was Harland David Sanders, an American businessman and the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC).

How old was Colonel Sanders?

He was 90 years old when he died in 1980.

What did Colonel Sanders do?

He built a fried chicken business, developed its recipe and cooking method, and turned it into the KFC franchise chain.

How did Colonel Sanders start KFC?

He began by serving fried chicken at his service station in Corbin, Kentucky, then franchised the recipe and concept in the 1950s.

What is Colonel Sanders' real name?

His real name was Harland David Sanders.

Is Colonel Sanders a real person?

Yes. Colonel Sanders was a real person, not a fictional character.

References

Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/money/Harland-Sanders
Supports: Birth name, birth and death dates/places, American businessman, trademark appearance
KFC — https://global.kfc.com/our-history
Supports: Born near Henryville, Indiana; early cooking; service stations in Kentucky; pressure-cooker method; secret recipe
Encyclopedia.com — https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/colonel-sanders
Supports: Created KFC at age 66; franchise timeline; founded chain
Encyclopedia.com — https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/economics-magazines/sanders-colonel
Supports: Honorary Colonel title; timeline including Corbin, recipe development, sale of KFC, death
University of New Hampshire — https://www.paulcollege.unh.edu/rosenberg/pioneers/harland-colonel-sanders
Supports: Harland David Sanders was the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken and became brand ambassador