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Darius Wilson
Ms. Newhouse
WRD 110-020
10 December 2011
As a resident in Kentucky, besides our bluegrass I can say that there is one restaurant in
particular that has made our name. That is KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken), the restaurant and
food chain that some (if not half) of our popularity came from. Most, if not everyone in
America, have adapted to fast food family meals, which have contributed to our economy
tenfold. Yet, back in the day, it was rare that family members ever ate out. They would attend
dinner at their homes and ate at a decent hour; along with fruits, vegetables, and more. However,
in today’s society it seems that restaurant meals are vital source for food; and gave multiple
Americans/families job and careers. The foods status is based on originality, location, word of
mouth, and reviews from critics and customers, and of course ratings; which made K.F.C. what it
is today. It has its own originality that Mr. Sanders made; the location(s) are well known, the 11
herb and spices chicken is pretty good after all these years, and more. We all have ate at
Kentucky Fried Chicken and we know from experience that their food is amazing (personal
opinion), and because of this we Kentuckians are bit famous. But that’s not how it first started,
of course, everything has to start somewhere.
Before KFC had the amount of respect and power it has today, the restaurant started in a
gas station. “I made a resolve that the
fact I would amount to something if I
could. And no hours, nor amount of
labor, nor amount of money would deter
me from giving the best there was
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in me”. (Colonel Sanders). In Mr. Sanders early age, he shifted from job to job. Due to his hot
and heavy temper, he traveled from place to place seeking jobs. However, he realized something
about his talents when he was a car salesman. Business was good and booming for him as a
salesman. Yet, when he was driving his car over a bridge, it collapsed and opened a gash in his
head. Someone requested to get him to the hospital. Yet, Sanders yelled, “You call the hospital
when I say you call one” (Colonel Sanders). and patched it with mud and walked away. This is
one way that Colonel Sanders showed his temper. In 1930 (during the Great Depression)
Harland “Colonel” Sanders opened his restaurant in a small front room in Corbin, Kentucky,
calling it “Sanders Court & Café”. Ten years later, Mr. Sanders create the original recipe for his
famous chicken. That’s when his famous chicken began to skyrocket. Later on, Sanders began
to sell his chicken in buckets, a clever way to increase serving sizes for families, parties, and
more; there became 190 franchisees and 400 franchises throughout the United States and Canada
after. Ironically when Colonel Sanders came back from a plane trip, he didn’t have enough time
to change into different clothes; instead he went off the plane with a solid white suit, that others
said looked great on him. That classy white suit became the Colonel’s iconic clothing(Colonel.
Thanks to KFC, we have created buildings, like the YUM Stadium, business part of the
YUM family and more. I believe without Kentucky Fried Chicken being existent today,
Kentucky and rest of America would be affected by this; after all, everyone likes secrets and that
recipe for 11 herbs and spices has something to deal with it. Before Yum was in picture (Pepsi
Co at the time), Colonel Sanders was a true business man. With various food chains already in
existence, he made deals/offers with restaurant owners to let him sell his famous K.F.C. on their
menus; and with that he began to see how his chicken skyrocketed. He made his first K.F.C.
restaurant in Salt Lake City. He almost shut his own restaurant down because he claims the
workers weren’t working hard enough. Shortly after, his age caught up with him and he had to
make a tough decision to sell his company to two people he trusted; names John and Brown, for
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two million dollars. Instead of the two million Colonel Sanders wanted, they told him he could
have stock beyond his wildest dreams. Due to the fact Sanders had hardly any knowledge of
stock, he declined their proposal and took the two million instead. Shortly after, in 1968 two
hundred and eighty employees became millionaires. Even though Colonel Sanders got really
short end of the stick, one can say he had a fulfilling life at the end.
Not too long ago the main food chain “YUM!” (KFC’s corporate owner) put their money
into building the KFC YUM Center. With this center being located in Louisville’s beautiful
downtown area, it has become a tourist and residential attraction. With the building’s unique
shape, along with its cylindrical back window; it is a place where modern pop culture’s gather.
There have been numerous celebrities performing in the YUM center just recently. Names such
as Justin Beiber, Dane Cook, and Kat Williams have performed in the YUM Stadium. Most of,
if not all, their tickets are pretty pricey sometimes; it really depends on the event. With this
stadium now open for business, it has become Louisville’s gold mine; with its first year’s
earnings to be $500,000 (Whas11). However, some are a bit concerned that the YUM Center
was ever made; due to the fact that $75 million dollar bonds were made to create it. Yet,
$500,000 was just made in a year; others only wonder how much it will make in five years.
Some aren’t realizing that one cannot receive most, if not all, their money it took to create the
Yum Center. With K.F.C.’s initials within the Yum bubble, that specific food chain is their
golden child. Along with the logo, location (Louisville Kentucky) of the Yum Corporation
(Pepsi Co. as the previous title of Yum) one can really see how KFC has expanded. Colonel
Sanders makes a quote on riches. He says, “There’s no reason to be the richest man in the
cemetery. You can’t do any business from there” (Colonel Sanders). That’s exactly what he
wasn’t. He really wanted to amount to something in this short amount of time we call life. He
made an impact on food, the fast food economy and more. Yet is money really an issue in
today’s society? Or is it the fact over time, risks has become forbidden? The economy has went
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down a bit, however, that doesn’t mean places like YUM Stadium was a mistake. In fact
Louisville, has been greatly admired because of it. With the money and publicity that the Yum
Stadium received the city is, in a way, being forced to fix and clean itself. With all the tourists
coming to this lovely stadium there are some that are cleaning the landscape and remodeling
downtown, which before the stadium was built, nothing more than a dull and dead place for
people to walk by. Also, Kentucky Fried Chicken has done more things for the economy than
just a fancy stadium for sports games and performers to attend to. As I mentioned the location of
the Yum Center (Louisville Kentucky), K.F.C. can be considered as their biggest food chain
Yum owns so far. Next to the other food chains (such as Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, A&W, and Long
John Silvers), Kentucky Fried Chicken is what makes Yum a company built through power, from
the bottom up.
KFC isn’t just great for Kentucky popularity, but good for the rest of America as well. In
1960, Kentucky Fried Chicken was the most popular fast food chain in America (Kfc.com). In
today’s Yum revenue, Kentucky Fried Chicken has contributed to three percent of their overall
growth.
Due to the fact that their customers are from teenagers/college students all the way to
families its amazing that Yum (K.F.C.’s owner) make around seven-hundred million dollars a
year (including franchise and licensing fees) (Yum.com). With Kentucky Fried Chicken making
so much money for their food chain, they are giving back to the community as well. There are
eight hundred dollar college scholarships, contributing to world hunger, breast cancer, diabetes
research, and more.
Also, KFC has gone international in their chicken fast food business. In 1971, there were
three thousand and five hundred franchises and company owned foot chains worldwide. Plus,
KFC had a really huge impact on China’s economy by a landslide. Kentucky Fried Chicken
invested into China’s domestic economy by giving 2.7 billion Yuan; which made three thousand
jobs (Slideshare). Moreover, Yum (K.F.C.’s owner) has made $750,000,000; making China its
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number one within the profit producing Division (Yum.com). Today, Yum is leading as number
one in China as building leading brands (K.F.C., Pizza Hut, and more). In India, Kentucky Fried
Chicken predicts that it will open five hundred outlets by 2015. Get this, in 75+ countries Yum
has made 900 new restaurants. Not only that Kentucky and America has adapted to Kentucky
Fried Chicken, but other places in the world, such as England, and as mentioned; China and
India has adapted to colonel Sanders food as well.
http://www.yum.com/annualreport/downloads/pdf/2010AnnualReport.pdf
Yet, there are some who believe that KFC is the root of evil due to their animal cruelty.
For their poor methods in keeping the chicken’s health, sanitation issues in chicken houses, and
their killing methods for chickens, it can be seen as KFC being the corporate Grim Reaper. When
knowing you’re bound to kill animals for food you personally question it, is it really a big deal?
There are markets, organic stores, restaurants, and more that are killing animals for food. If
people are really blaming Kentucky Fried Chicken for animal cruelty and more, they shouldn’t
have bias opinions over just that single restaurant. There are other fast food chains that serve
worse food (in diet wise) and uses somewhat the same methods; such as McDonalds, Taco Bell
(which was sued for they falsified they serve 100% beef in their products which was actually
50% beef and 50% filler. I’ll let your imaginations do the thinking on that).
However, I can understand that KFC and other food chains methods for chickens and
other animals can be questionable. Due to the fact they inject their animals with steroids and
other chemicals, it seems they’re not realizing that we are taking in those steroids and developing
health issues. It comes to mind which side is right.
However, there are some who doesn’t like KFC. There was a poll going around in a year
old research article (slideshare). There was a 68% tally that KFC doesn’t have the best
chicken. Others say that Popeye’s Chicken is way better and a bit healthier. Some believe that
KFC is worse for you than restaurants like Mac Donald’s. There are jokes such as “you’re so fat
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you go to KFC for lunch.” Yet, KFC has come with Kentucky Grilled Chicken. Yet, in 2007,
the original recipe was made differently; just the fact its cooking oil has altered to a 0 trans fat
cooking oil, but still has the 11 herbs and spices. Later on KFC has shifted from Fried to Grilled
chicken. KGC (Kentucky Grilled Chicken) was later on introduced in 2009 for healthier chicken
on the Menu (Kfc.com).
Yet, KFC hasn’t just expanded within the food industry, but also within the media. I
believe what really makes Kentucky Fried Chicken stand out in from of other fast food
restaurants isn’t just the food, but the fact Colonel Sanders (an actual person) was his own icon.
Speaking of actual person, Kentucky Fried Chicken has a person impact on others. A worker
named J.M. said, “When I first began to work at K.F.C. it kind of sucks, but then I realized this is
what I need. To be honest I only stayed for the pay, however, I met someone who made working
at Kentucky Fried Chicken worthwhile. Yet, I really don’t like smelling like greasy food at night
but I get paid to; so I guess its somewhat of a fair trade” (J.M.). Yet, there are others who has
opinions stating that K.F.C. let’s him support his family, meet new friends, and more. Also, a
student claims that “Kentucky Fried Chicken has amazing side dishes, especially the mashed
potatoes with gravy” (anonymous) With personal views in mind, we can see that Kentucky Fried
chicken may suck if you work there, but the rewards can definitely be beneficial. K.F.C. is
showing up on movies, news, and television shows. One television show aired on Comedy
Central called “South Park” has Colonel Sanders as an underground dealer. The episode dealt
with KFC being banned within South Park, yet there was an underground gang sliding KFC
under the table. A character named Cartman says, “Hey Colonel. I’ve been your biggest
supporter since I was two years old. I love your chicken. I love you!” (Southpark).
http://www.southparkstudios.com/full-episodes/s14e03-medicinal-fried-chicken With the
nation eating and enjoying KFC’s food at meal times, it makes you wonder how they cannot be
mentioned. People outside Kentucky believe in these really small rumors going around that
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KFC’s chicken is fresher in Kentucky. For my personal opinion, it has the overall taste it has in
other states.
In conclusion, Kentucky
Fried Chicken has benefited the
economy tremendously in
numerous ways. It’s
understandable that a fast food
restaurant can be emphasized as
the villain of society, due to; poor
nutrition, slaughter of animals, and
more. However, there are few or half the population that realizes fast food restaurants
contributes so much to society, especially
Kentucky Fried Chicken. A sixty-five year old man left something on this earth for us that we
take for granted; who didn’t just leave us a true American story, but a place that gives meaning
to the world. If it wasn’t for Yum Corporation (Kentucky Fried Chicken’s owner), who would
have created that wonderful stadium in downtown Louisville Kentucky; that made $500,000 in
one year? Or better yet, serve food in a bucket for families, companies, events, and more? Also,
Kentucky Fried Chicken has even dealt with an international economy by giving it so much
money (Yuan) and creating 3,000 jobs for others, and making multiple outlets across the world;
how can people hold so much against this one fast food restaurant? Plus, Kentucky Fried
Chicken tries to make their food healthier by grilling it and altering the cooking process. Has
any restaurants tried to? Where can I go to McDonalds or Burger King and get a grilled burger?
Everyone has heard the famous quote, “there’s more that meets the eye”. We can say that K.F.C.
(if any restaurants) doesn’t serve food that should be eaten only twice a month; yet, people only
single out one fast food restaurant that performs animal cruelty and doesn’t realize there are
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companies that are performing the same action(s), if not worse. The benefits that K.F.C. gives
outweigh the negatives in my opinion.
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Work Cited
CreativeCommons.com. Np. Org. Web. 13 November 2011
J.M. Personal Interview. 3 December 2011
Kfc.com. Kentucky Fried Chicken, 2011. Web. 13 November 2011.
Kfcyumcenter.com. Np. Web. 13 November 2011.
“Medical Fried Chicken.”. South Park. Writ. Trey Parker. Dir. Trey Parker. Comedy Central, 31
March 2010. Web. 3 November 2011
Pages, Mojo. “KFC Yum! Center on track to see profitable 1st year with at least $500,000
profit.” Images: Whas11.com (2011): n. pag. Web. 13 November 2011.
Sanders, Colonel, writ. Alison Guss and Gregg Weinstein. New Video Group, 1996. History
Television Productions, 1998. DVD.
SlideShare.com Np. Web. 13 November 2011.
Woopidoo.com. Np. Web. 3 November 2011
Yum.com. Yum Annual Report, 2010. Web. 9 December 2011