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KFC founder criticized gravy, leading to lawsuit

Created at 31 May · 4:16 PM2 sources↑ Market-relevant2 events
IN SHORT

Colonel Sanders publicly criticized KFC's gravy in 1978, calling it 'horrible' and 'wallpaper paste.' A lawsuit filed by a KFC franchise was ultimately dismissed by the Kentucky Supreme Court.

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Key Numbers

1978year of Sanders' interview
1964year Colonel Sanders sold KFC

Who's Involved

Colonel Harland Sanders
Founder of KFC, criticized company's gravy
KFC franchise in Bowling Green, Kentucky
Sued Colonel Sanders over his comments
Kentucky Supreme Court
Ruled on the lawsuit against Sanders
KFC founder criticized gravy, leading to lawsuit

↳ Why This Matters

Colonel Sanders, the iconic founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, was known for his strong opinions on the brand's food, even after selling the company. His public criticism of the chain's gravy, which he deemed inferior to his original recipe, sparked controversy and legal action, illustrating the challenges of maintaining brand consistency and founder loyalty.

Key facts

  • Colonel Sanders criticized KFC's gravy in a 1978 interview.
  • Sanders described the gravy as 'horrible' and 'wallpaper paste.'
  • A KFC franchise sued Sanders and the newspaper that published his comments.
  • The lawsuit was dismissed by the Kentucky Supreme Court.

Colonel Sanders, the iconic founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, was known for his strong opinions on the brand's food, even after selling the company. His public criticism of the chain's gravy, which he deemed inferior to his original recipe, sparked controversy and legal action, illustrating the challenges of maintaining brand consistency and founder loyalty.

Frequently asked questions

Colonel Sanders described the gravy as 'horrible,' 'wallpaper paste,' and lacking nutrition, stating it was not of the quality of his original recipe.

A franchise owner filed a lawsuit against Sanders and the newspaper that published his critical remarks about the gravy, claiming the comments were damaging.

The lawsuit was dismissed, and the Kentucky Supreme Court upheld the dismissal, ruling that Sanders' remarks were directed at KFC generally and did not identify the Bowling Green franchise.

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Cadence

How It Developed

31 May · 3:54 PM
Colonel Sanders reportedly disliked KFC's gravy, calling it "wallpaper paste," but it remains a popular menu item.
Fox News via PiQSuite

Sources

T1
The KFC menu item Colonel Sanders hated became one of the chain's biggest staplesm.piqsuite.com
T1
KFC founder Colonel Sanders despised this hugely popular menu item at the empire he createdm.piqsuite.com

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