Harland Sanders Cafe

Every success story starts somewhere. For Colonel Harland Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame, it started right here. Inside his Shell gas station in the 1930s, Sanders ran a small kitchen serving food to hungry travelers. Over time, he developed his famous Original Recipe chicken with 11 herbs and spices. After a 1939 fire, the Colonel built the current structure as a cafe and motel—80% of which still exists today! When the new Interstate route skirted Corbin in the mid-1950s, Sanders closed up shop and hit the road to build his franchise empire.

Today you can get a classic bucket of crispy chicken, warm rolls, and gooey mac n’ cheese at the very first KFC. Then tour the onsite museum to explore the Colonel’s replica 1940s kitchen and an original motel room. Plus, spot KFC memorabilia like chicken buckets through the years and the Colonel’s all-important pressure cooker!