The Beginnings of Kentucky Fried Chicken And How It Got Its Name

Editor's Note: This article and podcast have been submitted to the franchise history project. Blue MauMau is building a comprehensive history of franchising by asking early franchise owners and franchisers to submit articles (registration needed) on their history to the Franchipedia.

Salt Lake City, UT -- He may have served a special fried chicken in his Kentucky restaurant. But after it went under, it was not until the now famous Colonel Harland Sanders met Pete Harman that the two together opened the world's first Kentucky Fried Chicken in 1952 and found the secret recipe to success in the Beehive State. Here, in a three part audio podcast series, is their story. It is a tale of a company that would pioneer modern fast-food franchising and how the business concept developed with the help of a franchisee. 

Mr. Jay Alexander, the Operations Liaison for Harman Management Corporation, spoke enthusiastically with Blue MauMau about the early days of Kentucky Fried Chicken. Harman Management Corporation has since grown from its first KFC franchise to some 375 restaurants strong in Western United States. It is KFC’s largest domestic master franchise network. Meanwhile, KFC has grown some 13,700 units in roughly 100 countries. It is part of Yum! Brands, Inc. with around 35,000 units.

As a backdrop to the interview at the original restaurant site, Salt Lake City's majestic Rocky Mountains climb up a wall of rock some 10,000 feet high. The old KFC building was taken down last year, replaced by an ultra modern facility that is both part eatery and part museum. Mr. Alexander, Harman's chief story teller begins...

• KFC Podcast, Part One - How Colonel Sanders and Pete Harman got together.  While the Colonel is away, Harman decides to name the chicken Kentucky Fried Chicken instead of Utah Fried Chicken. The world would never be the same.