Corbin, Kentucky – The World’s First Kentucky Fried Chicken

At first sight, Corbin in Kentucky looks like a nice, rather small 9,000 people town. However, there are some hidden gems, like a series of open air concerts in summer. The key reason people might have a smile in their face when they talk about this place quite in the middle between Knoxville and Lexington is a rather unhealthy one. One of the most famous fast food restaurant chains started in here. And you can still visit the world’s first Kentucky Fried Chicken and follow the company history when you are in town. I did so for the first time in the mid-2010’s. On the ninth day of my Six US States and Nashville trip, I just had to go back to Corbin. Here is a Pictured Story about a birthplace of poultry-based fried nutrition.

 

Corbin (Kentucky) – Location & Transport

Corbin is located right at the I-15. If you leave the Interstate from the South, there is quite a nice set of commercial services and stores, which are handy for travelers. A Walmart Supercenter is located in North Corbin. Sander’s Cafe and the first Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant are located in the rather Northern part of town, right at the US-25W. The city has also some other interesting sights. Some are linked to railroads, as two lines merge there. The historic style center of town is worth a visit. Among other places, it hosts the Pinball Museum of Corbin. Very close to that is Sanders Park, which you should not miss if you are a fan of the famous bucket. The restaurant has a large parking lot. Street parking is available in Downtown Corbin.

Apart from the museum, the first KFC is still a (modern) KFC restaurant. The times of the restaurant are 9:30 to 23:00 daily. However, the lobby and thus the exhibition part already closes at 22:00.

 

Corbin (Kentucky) – Sanders Park

In the heart of Corbin, the city is honoring Harland David Sanders, who is typically known as Colonel Sanders. He is not born in Corbin, but in Henryville, Indiana, just North of Louisville in Kentucky. Sander was born on 9th September 1890 and died in Louisville at the age of 90 on 16th December 1980. He is buried in the rotunda of Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort. Louisville is still hosts the U.S. headquarters of the franchise, the international operations are managed from South Salt Lake in Utah nowadays. This is also the first franchise place of the brand. The key catch of Sanders Park is the statue of the entrepreneur. However, it is absolutely worth to read the information signs around the square. Right South to it, there is also a really neat mural.

 

Corbin (Kentucky) – Sanders Cafe / First KFC

After working in different businesses before, Sanders took over a Shell gas station on US Route 25 in 1930. This place does no longer exist and was located on the opposite side of the road. Just four years later, he leased the Pure station on the opposite side of the road. It was easier visible for travelers. At this place, he started to sell fried chicken. He expanded the restaurant and then bought the cafe, which was named Sanders Court & Cafe. The historic (non-operational) gas pumps and some signs around it still remember of these roots of Kentucky Fried Chicken. In 1957, Pete Harman opened the first franchise store in Utah.

Harman later had a lot of influence in growing the brand nationwide and internationally. Kentucky Fried Chicken was a rare alternative to hamburger restaurants. Within ten years, KFC became the sixth largest restaurant franchise in the United States. Later the brand was driven by Pepsi, before they became part of Tricon, now Yum!, including chains like Pizza Hut or Taco Bell.

Inside Sanders Cafe

The cafe is nowadays a mixture of a restaurant and a museum. In most of the exhibition rooms, you can nowadays still sit down and eat your order. Compared to my first visit, the museum part has grown a lot and nowadays shows significantly more items. The exhibition is rather widespread, starting with Sanders and his wife, but also featuring a lot of information about the Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise. A very interesting part to me was how Sanders Cafe grew and became the foundation of a global brand. There is also a model illustrating how Sanders Court looked alike.I also enjoyed that you can step into a replica of the former motel’s guestroom. A core exhibit is the kitchen with original appliances. Finally, there is the original recipe. The spices are still separately produced and packed in the two locations, so that nobody knows the entire combination.

Especially the section about the development of the franchise has grown a lot, including a wide range of items. The development of the bucket was fun to watch. But it is also interesting to have a look into the first Sanders Cafe menu. There is also a lot of merchandise and other items illustrating the popularity of the chicken frying brand. As you see, most of the rooms also work as part of the restaurant. There are also some statues of Colonel Sanders, so that you can still take a picture with him.

 

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