KFC Success Story I Leadership and Success Know No Age

It’s a common belief that to achieve big in life, you must start young. Many leadership myths rest on the idea that early movers are the only ones who win. However, Colonel Harland Sanders, the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), broke this myth as he wrote the KFC success story.

His story from being a small-town person to building a global franchise empire is a testament to the power of resilience, perseverance, and visionary leadership. It was hard work and dogged determination, in the face of bad luck and even worse judgment, that eventually brought Harland Sanders success. But that success didn’t come quickly.

This case study unravels KFC’s success story of innovation, resilience, and adaptation, offering insights into its business strategy, marketing genius, operational efficiency, and lessons learned along the way.

Early life and humble beginnings of Harland Sanders

His early life was marked by hardship and struggle. To support his family, he worked in various jobs, including as a streetcar conductor, a soldier in the U.S. Army, a railroad fireman, an insurance salesman, and even a lawyer.

But despite his hard work, success remained elusive, and Harland faced many setbacks. However, these diverse experiences later contributed to his resilience and adaptive nature.

Discovering a passion to do something new

In 1930, in the small rural town of Corbin, Kentucky, Harland opened up a filling station. Realising that just as cars need gas, people need good food, he opened a small outlet in a corner of the gas station.

Here, he started serving staple meals and fried chicken in a small dining area attached to the gas station. It was during this time that he discovered his passion and love for cooking.

The fried chicken Sanders prepared was such a big hit with the customers that every day there was a long queue in front of him, waiting to be served. That was the beginning of what developed into the world’s largest fast food fried chicken chain.

His secret recipe became so popular and demanding that he converted the service station into a full-fledged 142 seater restaurant called Sanders Court & Café.

He spent the next nine years refining his cooking technique and perfecting his blend of seasonings. The final recipe had eleven herbs and spices, and supposedly, the company still uses the same blend today.

The birth of Kentucky Fried Chicken – Self-marketing was everything

The restaurant business flourished. After impressing the locals, the Kentucky governor awarded him the honorary ‘Colonel of Kentucky’ title in 1936, in recognition of his accomplishments. He was even mentioned in Duncan Hines’ 1939 book Adventures in Good Eating.  

Later, as a part of his unique self-marketing strategy, Harland Sanders began referring to himself as ‘Colonel Sanders’ and started wearing a white linen to bolster his ‘typical Southern gentleman’ image. After that, all he needed was his friendly smile, and the face of Kentucky Fried Chicken was born. 

However, success was short-lived. In the early 1950s, a new interstate highway was planned to bypass Corbin, effectively cutting off the steady stream of customers to Sanders’ restaurant. Faced with deteriorating business, Sanders was forced to close his establishment. This setback was a pivotal moment in Sanders’ journey from struggle to success, as it spurred him to innovate and find new ways to share his fried chicken with the world.

From struggles to success – The rise of a fast-food empire

Undeterred, Colonel Sanders focused on franchising, marking the beginning of the KFC franchise system. He embarked on a tireless journey across the United States to promote his franchise, where he faced countless rejections and skeptics. 

However, his relentless pursuit began to pay off.  His belief in his product and unshakeable self-confidence propelled him forward. By the mid-1960s, KFC had over 600 locations in the United States and Canada.

Later, in 1964, at 73, Sanders sold the Kentucky Fried Chicken corporation to a group of investors for $2 million, equivalent to about $17 million today. Despite selling the company, Sanders remained the face of KFC and continued to be involved as a brand ambassador. Sanders’ distinctive image, complete with white suit, black string tie, and goatee, became synonymous with quality fried chicken.

Continued dedication

Even though he sold his franchise, Colonel Sanders was deeply invested in KFC’s quality and reputation. He often visited KFC franchises to ensure that his standards were being upheld.

If he felt that a franchise was not meeting the high standards he had set, he would voice his disapproval. His commitment and dedication to maintaining high standards and the unique flavor of his secret recipe helped KFC stand out in the burgeoning fast-food industry.

Fun fact: Sanders coined the slogan ‘Finger-lickin good’ as his own personal attestation to the quality of the products.

His journey from struggles to success was marked by an unwavering commitment to excellence, ensuring that the brand he built remained true to his original vision.

KFC – a global food chain

Today, KFC operates in over 150 countries and has over 24,000 outlets. Colonel Sanders’ original recipe still remains a closely guarded secret, and his image continues to be a powerful marketing tool for the brand.

Despite numerous setbacks and challenges, Sanders’ relentless determination and passion for his product transformed a simple fried chicken recipe into a global phenomenon.

Colonel Sanders’ journey from struggles to success: Inspirational lessons to learn

Leadership and success are often forged in the fires of adversity. Those who rise above challenges and persist despite countless failures usually leave a lasting impact on the world. One such leader is Colonel Harland Sanders, the man behind Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC).

KFC’s success story offers several inspirational lessons to young leaders and professionals.

Age is just a number

Sanders started KFC when he was 65 years old.

It highlights that a person’s age is not a determining factor in his/her ability to succeed or excel in leadership roles. 

Ultimately, success and leadership are more closely tied to factors like experience, skills, mindset, and the ability to inspire and motivate others.

Never give up

Sanders faced countless rejections and failures throughout his life but never gave up on his dreams. His persistence paid off, showing that determination can overcome even the most significant obstacles.

He had a ‘never give up’ attitude. This principle is crucial for achieving long-term goals.  It enlightens one to stay motivated and focused on the vision. 

Moreover, failure is not the end but an opportunity for growth. Leaders and professionals who embrace this mindset analyze setbacks, extract valuable lessons, and use them to improve their approach further.

Passion and quality

Yes, passion and quality are crucial components of effective leadership and success. Passion fuels a leader’s drive and inspiration, while quality ensures that their actions and decisions are effective and impactful. 

Sanders’ passion and dedication to the quality of his product were unwavering. His commitment to excellence helped establish KFC as a trusted brand worldwide.

Adaptability

Sanders worked in various jobs and industries before finding his true calling. His adaptive nature was crucial in his eventual success.

Being adaptable allows leaders to embrace new ideas, technologies, and approaches, which can lead to innovation and competitive advantage. In essence, adaptability is not just desirable for leaders; it’s a fundamental skill to thrive in today’s dynamic environment.

Branding and image:

Sanders’ distinctive look and personality became essential to KFC’s branding. His ability to connect with people and promote his brand was instrumental in KFC’s growth.

It signifies that a strong personal brand can amplify a leader’s voice and make them more influential within their organization and industry.  This differentiation can attract clients, investors, and other key stakeholders. 

Navigating success amidst adversity

Colonel Harland Sanders’ journey from humble beginnings to founding KFC and turning it into a global phenomenon is a remarkable story of self-belief and hard work. 

Leaders and young professionals can draw inspiration from Colonel Sanders’ remarkable journey in a world that often challenges our self-confidence. With unwavering confidence, resilience, and commitment, leaders can chart the path to success even in adversity.

Inspiring quotes by Colonel Harland Sanders:

“One has to remember that every failure can be a stepping stone to something better.”

“I’ve only had two rules. Do all you can and do it the best you can.”

“The hard way builds solidly a foundation of confidence that cannot be swept away.”

In brief:

Even today, Harland Sanders is still smiling at his customers: his laughing face is the trademark of Kentucky Fried Chicken. Whether you like KFC or not, the story of Colonel Harland Sanders is truly amazing. This story is inspirational because it exemplifies how perseverance, dedication, ambition, and hard work can create success regardless of age.