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Entrepreneur: Start & Grow Your Business

KFC Corp.

Chicken

Background

Founded: 1930 Franchising since: 1952
In 1930, Harland Sanders opened Sanders Court & Cafe in the front room of a gas station in Corbin, Kentucky. He was named an honorary Kentucky Colonel in 1936 for his contributions to local cuisine. Colonel Sanders began franchising in 1952 and awarded the first franchise to Pete Harman in Salt Lake City, Utah. Their handshake agreement stipulated that the corporation would receive a royalty of one nickel for each chicken Harman sold.

His recipe is still a secret, but billions of Colonel Sanders' chicken dinners are served annually in more than 80 countries. KFC is now part of Yum! Brands, which also includes A&W Restaurants, Long John Silver's, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell.

1441 Gardiner Ln.
Louisville, Kentucky 40213
Phone:
(502)874-8201


Franchise Growth
Year U.S. Franchises Canadian Franchises Foreign Franchises Company Owned
2009 4297 0 7482 3801
2008 4,387 0 7,166 3,339
2007 4,371 0 6,700 3,187
2006 4,277 773 5,316 3,067
2005 4,277 773 5,316 3,067

Where Seeking Franchisees
In the U.S. Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, North carolina, North dakota, New hampshire, New jersey, New mexico, Nevada, New york, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode island, South carolina, South dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West virginia, Wyoming
Worldwide

Costs and Fees

Total investment: $1.2M-1.8M
Franchise fee: $45K
Ongoing royalty fee: 5%
Term of agreement: 20 years, renewable
Express/kiosk option available

Type of Financing Available
In-House Third Party
Franchise Fee No Yes
Startup Costs No Yes
Equipment No Yes
Inventory No Yes
Accounts Receivable No Yes
Payroll No Yes

Qualifications
Net worth requirement: $1M
Cash liquidity requirement: $360K
Business Experience:
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills


Rankings

Franchise 500® rank:
#14 (2009); #7 (2008); #23 (2006); #11 (2005);

Ranked #1 in category in:
2009; 2008; 2006; 2005;

Fastest-Growing Franchises:
#48 (2008); #75 (2005);

America's Top Global Franchises:
#13 (2009); #2 (2008); #7 (2006); #5 (2005);