The Colonel’s Secret

How Colonel Sanders discovered something more original than his 6 spices

Most Americans know about the fast-food restaurant chain,Kentucky Fried Chicken (“KFC”). Colonel Sanders, 6 original recipes,  a bucket of chicken… This franchise has not only become a staple of fast-food eateries, but also, a symbol of the American Dream. What many people don’t realize is how a young protégé of Colonel Harland Sanders helped build Kentucky Fried Chicken into the institution it is today, while also changing the industry forever.

This young protege named David was a go getter who early on displayed a work ethic that impressed Sanders.

Beginning as a head cook at the Hobby House, a restaurant located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, David met the Colonel while he was going cross country trying to convince owners into converting their restaurants into Kentucky Fried Chicken establishments. David’s boss at Hobby House, Phil Clauss, showed interest in joining the KFC franchise. This eventually led to Hobby House becoming a Kentucky Fried Chicken and David becoming a cook at the newly minted KFC restaurant. David, who dreamt of one day owning his own establishment like both Clauss and Sanders, worked hard. Soon, he was taken under the wing of the Colonel (see what I did there), and found a mentor that would help show him the ropes of restaurant ownership.

At times the two didn’t see eye to eye, with the Colonel disapproving of how David did certain things. In fact, when Clauss, who now owned four KFC restaurants, saw his new venture struggling, it was David who he asked to them over - much to the Colonel’s disapproval. It wasn’t that the Colonel didn’t see potential in the young cook now owner. Sanders was very particular about every aspect of the operations of his restaurants and, while David admired and was appreciative of his mentor, there were just some things that the two could simply not agree on. For example, David would dump the chicken out of the pot rather than meticulously remove each piece one-by-one, which was the Colonel’s preference. Yet David, respectful and appreciative of the achievements of the Colonel and the opportunities provided to him, found a way to co-exist with his particular mentor.

As time went on David turned out to be rather clever where innovations where concerned. Things such as the famous red bucket that adorned the outside of KFC restaurants and convincing the Colonel to appear in advertising for branding purposes, helped revolutionize the industry and made Kentucky Fried Chicken a household name. David also simplified the menu, which made it easier for patrons to select products to purchase.

After years of hard work and dedication, David decided that it was now time to strike out on his own. He sold his four franchises for $1.5 million dollars and used the money to open his own restaurant in 1969 in Columbus, Ohio.

It was then that David shortened his name to Dave and added his last name of Thomas when he decided to become the face of his new brand.

He named the restaurant “Wendy’s” after his daughter and went on to become one of the most successful fast food restaurant icons in history. To date, “Wendy’s” has opened a whopping 6,949 restaurants worldwide with almost $500,000,000 in revenue made each year.

The idea that was sparked from a red bucket of chicken to a pig tailed, red headed girl continues to bring comfort food to millions around the world and will continue inspire the dreams of many more for years to come