KFC, previously known as Kentucky Fried Chicken, is a division of Yum! Brands, Inc. and is based in Louisville, Kentucky. Originally founded by Col. Harland Sanders, KFC is known for its fried chicken which is prepared by coating fresh-cut pieces of chicken in a flour, salt, and pepper mixture, then cooking immersed in hot oil in a pressure cooker. The world's first KFC was established in 1939 in Corbin, Kentucky. The first franchise was established 1952 in Salt Lake City, Utah by Harland Sanders and Pete Harman , but since then has been sold four times, last to Yum! Brands, Inc.

Food

The spices used in the chicken are a trade secret. However, a chemical analysis commissioned by author 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).

In New Zealand, television ads for the chain feature "Kiwi For Chicken."

Beyond the fried chicken, KFC also serves dishes and side-dishes like french fries, chicken nuggets, coleslaw, and hamburgers, though not all may be found in all places.

Wendy's restaurants founder Dave Thomas operated several Kentucky Fried Chicken franchises before starting Wendy's restaurants. He also invented the rotating-bucket-of-chicken sign which at one time was outside every KFC.

Controversy

World's first KFC in Salt Lake City, Utah

On October 16, 2003, Playboy model and 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 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] Pilgrim's Pride fired eleven employees following the release of the video and provided animal cruelty training to its work force, however, none of the employees involved in the incident faced any criminal charges. [3]

See also

• Priszm Brandz, the Canadian franchisee of KFC and other Yum! Brands restaurants

External links

• Official website
• Kentucky Fried Cruelty, the PETA action website.
• KFC pulls two items from its Chinese menu after finding a seasoning used in the products contains an Sudan I, industrial dye linked to cancer