Fact Check: The First KFC Restaurant Opened in Utah, Not the UK

A common misconception places the birthplace of Kentucky Fried Chicken in the United Kingdom. In reality, the very first KFC franchise opened in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, in 1952—when Pete Harman, a local restaurateur, partnered with Colonel Harland Sanders to serve the now-famous pressure-fried chicken recipe.

The UK didn't see its first KFC until 1965, when the brand expanded to Preston, Lancashire. Today, the UK hosts over 900 KFC outlets, but the origin story remains firmly rooted in the American West.

Quick Timeline

• 1930s: Colonel Sanders develops his "11 herbs and spices" recipe at his Corbin, Kentucky service station.
• 1952: First franchise agreement signed with Pete Harman in Salt Lake City.
• 1965: First UK restaurant opens in Preston.
• Present: KFC operates in 150+ countries with 25,000+ locations worldwide.

So if you're ever asked where the original KFC started, the answer is Utah—not Britain.