History of Kentucky Fried Chicken
Kentucky Fried Chicken was founded by Harland Sanders, who began serving fried chicken to travellers from his roadside restaurant in Corbin, Kentucky, during the 1930s. His cooking method used a pressure fryer and a blend of herbs and spices he had developed. As his reputation grew, Sanders began licensing his recipe to other restaurant operators, and the first formal KFC franchise opened in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1952.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, KFC expanded across the United States and into international markets. Sanders sold the company in 1964 but continued to appear in its advertising, becoming one of the most recognisable brand figures in the fast-food industry. Ownership changed several times, passing through Heublein, RJR Nabisco, and PepsiCo before the chain became part of Tricon Global Restaurants, later renamed Yum! Brands, in 1997.
KFC adapted its menu to local tastes in markets across Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, where it gained significant market share. The brand expanded into more than 150 countries. In recent years, KFC has tested plant-based menu options and invested in digital ordering and delivery services. It has also faced ongoing criticism from animal welfare organisations concerning its supply chain practices.
KFC operates in Israel as part of the Yum! Brands franchise network. Yum! Brands, which also owns Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, became a target of BDS campaigns following the escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from October 2023, with activists calling for boycotts of all brands within the portfolio over the companies' ongoing commercial operations in Israel.