Colonel's Day
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What Is Colonel's Day?
September 9th is "Colonel's Day" in Japan, established by KFC's Japanese operator, Kentucky Fried Chicken Japan, Ltd., to commemorate the birthday (September 9, 1890) of KFC founder Colonel Sanders (born Harland David Sanders), and registered with the Japan Anniversary Association in 2003.
Who Was Colonel Sanders?
Sanders developed his signature fried chicken recipe at a small cafe in the corner of a gas station he started in Corbin, Kentucky, in 1930, when he was 40, and later went on to build a worldwide restaurant chain through franchising.
- The secret recipe: his Original Recipe is famously said to use "11 herbs and spices," kept a closely guarded secret to this day
- A late-blooming challenge: his first franchise opened in 1952. After his own business faltered and he lost nearly everything at 65, he traveled to restaurants across the country with his recipe and kept expanding the franchise
- What "Colonel" means: it isn't a military rank — it's the honorary title "Kentucky Colonel," bestowed on him by the governor of Kentucky in 1935
A Day That Honors a Life of Persistent Challenge
Sanders' path was anything but smooth; he's remembered as someone who overcame repeated setbacks to achieve late-blooming success. Through this anniversary, KFC also shares a message about the value of continuing to take on new challenges at any age.
Tips for Marking This Day
- Celebrate Colonel's Day with a taste of KFC's Original Recipe chicken
- Learn about Colonel Sanders' life and the long road to his eventual success
- Reflect on the idea that "it's never too late to try something new" as it applies to your own life
- Check out KFC's limited-time Colonel's Day promotions
A Late Bloomer's Success, Proving It's Never Too Late
Colonel Sanders developed his recipe after 40 and rebuilt from almost nothing at 65 to lay the foundation of a global chain — his life still carries a powerful message today: it's never too late to take on a new challenge. Let September 9th give you the nudge you need for a new step of your own.