Harland Sanders Cafe & Museum
The astounding image of Chinese tourists standing in front of a statue of Colonel Sanders at the Great Wall of China for a photo is indelibly etched on my memory! Legendary Colonel Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken was as important as – possibly more important than – the amazing, centuries-old Great Wall of China, which astronauts can actually see while in orbit.
In light of the role of franchising in modern business practices, his success at franchising his chicken recipe in the 1940s is indeed worthy of acclaim. Before his franchises, he established the Harland Sanders Café and Court in Corbin, KY, where travelers could enjoy a hearty meal of Kentucky fried chicken and a night’s stay in his motel.
When Interstate 75 bypassed Corbin, his business went belly up. Using a Social Security check, he started franchising his Kentucky fried chicken recipe, which grew into KFC’s acclaim around the world.
On a rainy day in Corbin, KY, we broke our “no franchise food on the road” rule and enjoyed a lunch of grilled chicken while exploring the memorabilia at the Harland Sanders Cafe & Museum. The exhibits include his innovative open kitchen and model motel room for patrons to inspect.
And I got to have my photo taken with the Colonel.
Colonel Sanders and me at the Harland Sanders Cafe & Museum
