10 Finger-Lickin' Facts You Didn’t Know About KFC

1. The Secret Recipe Is Locked Away—Literally

KFC’s iconic 11 herbs and spices recipe is treated like a state secret. It's handwritten, stored in a heavily guarded vault, and known to only two anonymous executives at any given time. Think Fort Knox, but for chicken seasoning.(Image Source: Reuters) 

2. You Could Once Buy The Recipe For A Few Cents

In the early days, Colonel Sanders licensed his recipe for just 4 to 5 cents per chicken piece sold. He traveled cross-country pitching his pressure-cooked chicken technique—often sleeping in his car and eating demo leftovers to save money.

3. KFC Fought—And Won—A Battle Against 'Mutant Chicken' Rumors

A fake viral story claiming KFC used genetically modified chickens with extra wings and legs led to legal action in China. A Shanghai court fined three tech companies over \$190,000 for spreading the hoax, complete with fake Photoshopped images.

4. The Colonel’s Suit Was Sold For Over 21,000 Dollars

Colonel Sanders’ iconic white suit and black bow tie were auctioned off and bought by the CEO of KFC Japan, Masao Watanabe, for 21,510 Dollars. It’s now displayed in Tokyo—a tribute to the chain’s huge popularity in Japan.(Image Source: sanderscafe.com) 

5. Carson Daly Got Chicken Nugget Cufflinks

When TV host Carson Daly joked about KFC’s quirky prom corsages made of fried chicken, the brand upped the ante by sending him custom nugget cufflinks. Stylish? Maybe. Edible? Not quite.

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6. There’s A KFC Museum In Kentucky

Located in Corbin, Kentucky, the original Sanders Café is now a museum showcasing Colonel Sanders' journey from gas station cook to fast food icon. It includes memorabilia, vintage records, and the original kitchen where the pressure-frying method was born.

7. Lost In Translation: China Ad Blunder

When KFC launched in China, its “Finger Lickin’ Good” slogan was hilariously mistranslated as “We’ll Eat Your Fingers Off.” Despite the translation fail, the brand eventually won over Chinese customers and remains a fast food favorite.

8. KFC Has Released Bizarre Food Creations

The Double Down was just the beginning. KFC has tested deep-fried soup, chicken-as-hot-dog-buns, Mac and Cheese Bites, and even the infamous "chizza" (chicken + pizza). Culinary innovation or chaos? You decide.

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9. Colonel Sanders Starred In Comic Books

The Colonel has been immortalized in limited-edition comics where he fights his evil doppelgänger “Colonel Sunder,” teams up with superheroes, and protects his recipe from villainous threats. Talk about a brand with a storyline.(Image Source: sanderscafe.com) 

10. Yes, He Once Shot A Man

In a dramatic business dispute over gas station signage, Sanders got into a gunfight that left one man dead and another wounded. While not a real military colonel, he was awarded the honorary title by Kentucky in 1935.