Online Encyclopedia
KFC
KFC, previously known as Kentucky Fried Chicken, is a division of Yum! Brands, Inc.. Originally founded by Harland Sanders (better known as Colonel Sanders), KFC is known for its fried chicken which is prepared via a pressure cooker method; food prepared using this method of cooking is more tender than that prepared by other methods. KFC receives raw products from Tyson Farms . The world's first KFC was established in 1952 in Salt Lake City, Utah by Harland Sanders and Pete Harman .
Contents |
Food
The spices used in the chicken are a trade secret. However, a chemical analysis commissioned by William Poundstone revealed some of the primary ingredients: salt, ground black pepper, flour, and monosodium glutamate. KFC claims that Colonel Sanders' recipe had eleven secret herbs and spices, although it curiously does not claim that this is the recipe in current use.
The company adopted the abbreviated form of its name in 1991 to avoid the unhealthy connotations of the word 'fried'. KFC is currently experimenting with pot pies, boneless and roasted chicken in addition to its core food offering. In 2004 the company tried to further rebrand itself, featuring the term "Kitchen Fresh Chicken" in its advertisements (and noting in the fine print that its freshness claim does not apply to the chicken wings).
Beyond the fried chicken, KFC also serves dishes and side-dishes like french fries, chicken nuggets, coleslaw and hamburgers.
Notable KFC Employees (Past and Present)
- John Wayne Gacy (serial killer)
- Dave Thomas (entrepreneur) - operated several Kentucky Fried Chicken franchises before starting his own chain of Wendy's restaurants. He also invented the rotating bucket of chicken which at one time was outside every KFC.
- Harland Sanders (KFC founder) - his portrait was displayed in front of Higashi Osaka City KFC Kintetsu Fuse station in the store
Controversy
Later on after the death of the KFC founder, The cartoon version of Colonel Sanders himself appears on the company's more recent television commercials as a fictional character based on the real Harland David Sanders.
On October 16, 2003, actress; Pamela Anderson joined PETA in their animal rights campaign against KFC urging consumers to boycott the franchise until better treatment of its chickens is ensured.
On June 3, 2004, the FTC and KFC came to a settlement regarding KFC's advertising campaign claiming that "fried chicken can, in fact, be part of a healthy diet." The terms of the agreement were not disclosed however the TV commercials stopped airing after the settlement.[1]
On July 20, 2004, PETA released a video of gross cruelty to chickens taken at Pilgrim's Pride, one of KFC's suppliers in West Virginia. The supplier stated that it would investigate the claims.[2]