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World's First KFC, world record in Salt Lake City, Utah

Apr 29, 2024
World's First KFC, world record in Salt Lake City, Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah, United States--The World’s first Kentucky Fried Chicken is located at 3890 S. State Street, in Salt Lake City, Utah; the original restaurant was demolished in 2004, and a new, more modern one was built in its place; the restaurant has a bunch of memorabilia displayed, including this original Colonel Sanders suit and sets the world record for being the World's First KFC, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.

World's First KFC, world record in Salt Lake City, Utah

"While Sanders may indeed have been from Kentucky, his Kentucky Fried Chicken didn’t really take off until a decade later in Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1952, the Colonel franchised his recipe to Pete Harman, a local restaurateur in the city," the Atlas Obscura says.


"A sign painter at Harman Café by the name of Rodney L. Anderson had the clever idea to refer to the product as Kentucky-fried chicken instead of Southern-fried to make it stand out.


"Within a matter of weeks, the restaurant was a runaway hit. Sanders and Harman remained close friends for the remainder of their lives and many credit the latter with KFC’s commercial success. Although the original Harman’s Café was demolished and rebuilt, the place still proudly proclaims itself to be the world’s first KFC."

World's First KFC, world record in Salt Lake City, Utah

"Visit your local KFC® at 3890 South State Street to grab our mouthwatering world famous fried chicken near you. Our chicken restaurant offers delicious fried chicken family meals, buckets of chicken, crispy chicken sandwiches, fried chicken tenders, classic Famous Bowls, home-style classics and warm buttermilk biscuits," the official website says.


"From our crispy fried chicken to our savory side dishes, KFC is here to meet your fried chicken needs all day long. Our Salt Lake City location also offers online ordering for pick up or delivery, so you can enjoy our freshly prepared chicken combos and meals whenever you want. Looking for great food near you?"

World's First KFC, world record in Salt Lake City, Utah

"That same year, Peter Harman met Harland Sanders in Salt Lake City. Sanders came to visit in 1952, and cooked a special meal for the Harmans in their cafe. He made them his special “secret recipe” fried chicken with 11 herbs and spices," the rosarioknows.com says.


"Harman hired sign painter Don Anderson to create a new sign for the cafe. Anderson came up with “Kentucky Fried Chicken,” and the name stuck. Later, Pete Harman trademarked the phrase, “Finger Lickin’ Good!” which became a slogan for the entire chain.


"The world’s first Kentucky Fried Chicken is located at 3890 S. State Street, in Salt Lake City. The original restaurant was demolished in 2004, and a new, more modern one was built in its place. The restaurant has a bunch of memorabilia displayed, including this original Colonel Sanders suit. Colonel Sanders’ recipe relied on pressure cooking his chicken to cook it faster and keep it juicy."

World's First KFC, world record in Salt Lake City, Utah

"KFC (also commonly referred to by its historical name Kentucky Fried Chicken) was founded by Colonel Harland Sanders, an entrepreneur who began selling fried chicken from his roadside restaurant in Corbin, Kentucky, during the Great Depression.


"Sanders identified the potential of restaurant franchising, and the first "Kentucky Fried Chicken" franchise opened in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1952. KFC popularized chicken in the fast-food industry, diversifying the market by challenging the established dominance of the hamburger.


"Branding himself "Colonel Sanders", the founder became a prominent figure of American cultural history, and his image remains widely used in KFC advertising. The company's rapid expansion made it too large for Sanders to manage, so in 1964 he sold the company to a group of investors led by John Y. Brown Jr. and Jack C. Massey." (Wikipedia)

World's First KFC, world record in Salt Lake City, Utah

"Leon W. “Pete” Harman (1919-2014), a native of Granger and a graduate of Cyprus High School in Magna, pioneered the first Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) franchise and helped build one of the world’s most prolific chicken brands," the Rachel SLC History says.


"Colonel Harland Sanders had perfected his chicken recipe through the 1930s and 1940s and operated his own restaurant, the Sanders Court & Café, in Corbin, KY. When I-75 bypassed Corbin, Col Sanders sold his restaurant and traveled the US to sell his chicken recipe to other restaurant owners. He was an early pioneer in the concept of franchising.


"The first to accept his offer was Pete Harman in SLC. With a handshake agreement, the Harmans agreed to pay Col Sanders five cents for every chicken sold. For $3.50, customers received 14 pieces of chicken, mashed potatoes, rolls and gravy. With the success of this handshake agreement Col Sanders incorporated his company under the name Kentucky Fried Chicken in 1952. By the early 1960s, KFC was sold in over 600 franchised outlets."

World's First KFC, world record in Salt Lake City, Utah

"Pete Harman bought the first franchise and started offering the Colonel’s secret recipe to Utahns who ate it up. Harman hired a sign painter named Anderson to advertise the chicken and he’s the one who came up with the name “Kentucky Fried Chicken.”


"Later Harman would also trademark the phrase “finger lickin’ good.” Harman’s business increased 75% the first year he started offering the Colonel’s chicken, and selling chicken differentiated the restaurant from its competition. It was cheap, and the Southern origins of the recipe made it seem simultaneously foreign, authentic and packed with gracious charm," the Utah Public Radio says.


"Pete Harman met the Colonel in Chicago, and Sanders visited the Harmans the following year. When he cooked up a batch of his secret recipe for chicken for them, Pete Harman jumped at the opportunity to purchase the first franchise."

World's First KFC, world record in Salt Lake City, Utah

"The first Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise opens near Salt Lake City, Utah. The Colonel dons his iconic white suit for the first time and from then on, wears one every time he's out in public. Finally, the Colonel perfects his unique blend off 11 herbs and spices that are still used today... and still top secret," the official website says.


"Colonel Sanders sells his Corbin, Kentucky restaurant and goes on the road to sign up new KFC franchisees. Say “bucket of chicken” and you think KFC®.The original KFC® bucket from 1957 has now come to be recognized worldwide. As a network of franchises grows across the USA, the Colonel feels it's time to slow down, and sells the KFC Company to investors.


"After a rich and full life, Harland Sanders sadly passes away at the age of 90. His legacy lives on through his Original Recipe chicken and the company logo adapts over the years, with the Colonel's face remaining at the forefront of the design. The Colonel is named the 2nd most recognizable celebrity in the world after an independent survey."

World's First KFC, world record in Salt Lake City, Utah

"The Sanders Cafe & Museum was renovated and reopened in the fall of 1990 as a museum. A modern KFC® kitchen was also built adjacent to the cafe on some of the former motel land and the two structures attached by an entrance lobby that contains many of the smaller museum displays," the Sanders Cafe & Museum says.


"The model motel room was restored to its original state as part of the renovation and modern restrooms added to the back of the original structure.


"While at the museum, visitors can tour the office of Harland Sanders, see the kitchen where Sanders developed the KFC® secret formula, and view KFC® memorabilia."

Photos: World's First KFC, world record in Salt Lake City, Utah

(1-7) KFC Global

(8) Wikipedia/Edgy01/Dan Lindsay

(9) http://www.sanderscafe.com/

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