You probably know KFC for its “finger-lickin’ good” chicken and the smiling face of Colonel Sanders. But behind that crispy coating lies a history filled with more twists, turns, and downright bizarre moments than you might expect. From shootouts to surprising lawsuits, and marketing stunts that raised eyebrows, the story of Kentucky Fried Chicken and its founder is anything but bland. Get ready to dive into some of the wildest, weirdest, and most unbelievable facts about this global fast-food giant. You might never look at that bucket of chicken the same way again!
10 A Business Feud Escalates to Murder
Way back in the 1890s, when Harland Sanders was making his way in the world, life was a bit rougher. While running a Shell gas station, the future Colonel faced a persistent problem: a rival gas station owner kept painting over his signs to divert customers. Frustrated, and with little help from law enforcement, Sanders confronted his competitor, reportedly threatening him. This wasn’t an empty threat, it seems.
The rival, undeterred, was caught red-handed (or paint-handed) yet again. This time, however, things took a deadly turn. The rival pulled a gun and fired, tragically killing one of Sanders’ station managers. Sanders himself returned fire, wounding the attacker. With his sign-painting competitor jailed for murder, the path for the Colonel’s later chicken empire became a little clearer, albeit after a violent confrontation. It’s a stark reminder of the wilder times he lived in.
9 Colonel Sanders Grew to Dislike KFC
It’s ironic, but the man whose image is synonymous with KFC actually grew to resent the company he founded. By the time KFC was becoming a household name, Colonel Sanders was already 65. Feeling the franchise game was too much for him at that age, he sold the business in 1964 for $2 million. This deal also included a contract ensuring his likeness would continue to be used for the brand. He was 73 at the time of the sale.
Soon after selling, the Colonel became incredibly critical of the new management and the direction KFC was taking. He’d reportedly visit KFC locations, loudly criticizing the food quality, and even told a conference how much he disliked what KFC had become. He didn’t stop there; he sued his old company and attempted to start a competing chicken restaurant. He eventually settled for another million dollars, a sum the company likely considered a small price to keep the Colonel from publicly bashing their stores.
8 Wendy’s Founder Helped Shape Modern KFC
You might not think of Wendy’s and KFC as related, beyond both being fast-food giants. However, Dave Thomas, the founder of Wendy’s, played a crucial role in KFC’s early success. Before he started his famous burger chain, Thomas worked closely with Colonel Sanders.
Thomas was a font of innovative ideas for the burgeoning chicken franchise. He was the one who urged the Colonel to appear in television commercials, which helped solidify his image. He also advocated for the distinctive red and white color scheme for the restaurants and, perhaps most iconically, pushed for the creation of the KFC bucket. Thomas was so effective that he was often dispatched to struggling franchises to turn them around. His earnings from KFC eventually enabled him to start Wendy’s when he couldn’t find a burger joint he liked.
7 KFC Launched a Surprising Dating Game
After Colonel Sanders passed away, KFC’s marketing team started looking for new, often unconventional, ways to keep the brand fresh and engaging. One of their most eyebrow-raising ventures was a free-to-play dating simulator game titled “I Love You, Colonel Sanders! A Finger Lickin’ Good Dating Simulator.” Yes, you read that right.
In this game, players could attempt to woo a very buff, anime-style version of Colonel Sanders. While video games created as marketing tools often flop, this one became a surprising cult hit. It garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews, likely fueled by its sheer absurdity and meme potential. Who knew people would be so eager to court a fictionalized, handsome version of the chicken magnate?
6 The Colonel’s Not-So-Charming Side with Women
Given his history of getting into shootouts and brawls, it might not be a total shock to learn that Colonel Sanders wasn’t always the epitome of charm, especially towards women. For a man who built an empire on fried chicken and gravy – foods not exactly known for being slimming – one might expect a more understanding attitude.
5 KFC Announced Its Own Gaming Console (with a Chicken Warmer!)
Building on the unexpected success of their dating game, KFC decided to venture even further into the gaming world. Their next move? Announcing the KFConsole. And if you thought a dating sim was wild, this console came with a built-in chicken chamber designed to keep your fried chicken warm while you game.
Announced in 2020, the KFConsole generated a massive amount of buzz, with many initially dismissing it as an elaborate prank. However, reports confirmed it was intended as a real product. As of now, it hasn’t hit the market, leaving many to wonder about the practicalities and safety of combining high-powered gaming with hot, greasy chicken. Only time will tell if this culinary-gaming hybrid ever sees the light of day.
4 KFC’s Outrageous Sandwich Creations
While some saw the KFConsole as a fun gimmick, KFC has also introduced menu items that many found genuinely outrageous. Chief among these is the KFC Double Down. This infamous creation ditches bread buns entirely, sandwiching bacon, cheese, and sauce between two pieces of fried chicken fillet. It’s a sandwich that truly tests the limits of culinary convention (and perhaps your arteries).
If the Double Down wasn’t extreme enough for you, KFC later unveiled the KFC Doughnut Sandwich. This item features a piece of fried chicken nestled between two whole glazed doughnuts. These creations certainly get people talking, but they also make you wonder if some food concepts are best left as ideas rather than actual menu items.
3 The Great UK Chicken Shortage of 2018
Imagine going to KFC only to find out they have no chicken. Sounds like a nightmare, right? Well, in 2018, this became a reality for KFC locations across the United Kingdom. A decision to switch delivery contractors in an attempt to cut costs backfired spectacularly, leading to a widespread chicken shortage.
Hundreds of KFC stores were forced to temporarily close, while others offered severely limited menus. The situation became a national talking point. To their credit, KFC handled the PR crisis with a sense of humor, taking out full-page newspaper ads featuring an empty KFC bucket rearranged to spell “FCK” along with an apology. It was a bold move that helped them navigate a very clucky situation.
2 KFC’s Stance on Antibiotics in Chicken
Back in 2016, concerns were growing about the use of human antibiotics in livestock, including chickens. Consumer groups and health organizations worried that this practice could contribute to the rise of antibiotic-resistant superbugs, posing a significant threat to public health. Many major fast-food chains had already pledged to stop using chicken raised with medically important antibiotics.
KFC, however, was slower to make this commitment. While they had policies against using antibiotics to promote growth, they still permitted the use of some antibiotics for disease prevention as late as 2017. Following sustained pressure, KFC eventually announced it would transition to using only chicken raised without antibiotics important to human medicine across its U.S. supply chain, a move they completed.
1 KFC Trinidad’s Controversial Emancipation Day Ad
Fried chicken is beloved by many, yet it’s also unfortunately associated with a racial stereotype targeting Black people. This made a marketing decision by KFC Trinidad particularly ill-advised. On Emancipation Day, a holiday celebrating the end of slavery in Trinidad and Tobago, the local KFC branch posted a graphic on social media.
The image featured a piece of fried chicken casting a shadow that formed a Black Power fist. The backlash was immediate and widespread, with accusations of tone-deafness and racial insensitivity. KFC Trinidad quickly deleted the post and issued an apology, but screenshot of the ad continued to circulate, often falsely attributed to Black History Month or other contexts. It became a prime example of how quickly a marketing misstep can turn into a lasting negative image, with articles still trying to debunk its continued misuse online.
Conclusion
From gunfights in its founder’s early days to gaming consoles that warm your chicken, KFC’s journey is far more colorful and complex than its simple, comforting food might suggest. The legacy of Colonel Sanders is multifaceted, blending entrepreneurial spirit with a fiery temper and a complex relationship with the very brand he created. These strange but true tales add another layer to the story of one of the world’s most recognizable fast-food chains. It certainly gives you something to chew on next time you’re enjoying a bucket of that secret recipe chicken.
What’s the most surprising KFC fact you learned today? Do you know any other strange tales about the Colonel or KFC? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
