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In May, it will 60 years since the iconic chicken chain first opened its doors on Fishergate.
But do you know how or why Preston was their first European destination?
From Rags to Rooster
Harland Sanders was only 13 when he left home, dreaming of making his fortune.
After having numerous jobs, from a salesman to railroad firefighter, Harland began running a petrol station and sold his homemade fried chicken to people passing through. It proved to be popular and he later moved his fried chicken operation to a restaurant across the street. He named his signature dish ‘Kentucky Fried Chicken’ to distinguish it from ‘Southern Fried Chicken’.
His new venture proved so successful that he was named as a ‘Kentucky Colonel’ by Governor Ruby Laffoon in 1935.
Read more: 16 excellent things Preston gave the world
The Colonel Takes Flight
Harland, now going by the nickname ‘The Colonel’ recognised the chance to franchise his operation and opened the first KFC in 1952. He quickly expanded his operation and in 1955 he opened a KFC in Canada, the first outside of the US. The positive response from Canadians coupled with other fast-food chains, like McDonalds focusing on the US market, meant ‘The Colonel’ saw an opportunity to expand across the pond before competitors.
No buckets, just burgers
Unlike the Americans who has been enjoying fast food since the 30s, the UK didn’t get a fast-food restaurant until 1954 with hamburger chain ‘Wimpy’. Wimpy provided table service, making it a more upscale dining experience compared to the counter-service fast food chains that followed. It was popular and demonstrated the British people’s willingness to indulge in fast-food and American culture.
A Recipe for Success
Ray Allen, a Preston based business man, was already running small restaurants across Lancashire with his wife Shirley and started to take an interest in the fast-food business and managed several Wimpy branches.
It was during an International Restuarant Association Conference in Chicago that Ray Allen met Colonel Sanders. They got on very well.
After meeting at the conference, Sanders and Allen remained in constant contact with Allen giving Sanders advice on trademarks and patents. Sanders became so fond of Allen he even gave him a hand-written copy of the famous original recipe. Allen would later say that ‘the Colonel was a very kind man’, comments echoed by Ray’s business partner Harry Lantham.
Allen and Lantham started talking to Sanders about expanding his KFC restaurants in Europe and together they cooked up a plan.
Why did the chicken cross the pond?
A few years later, Allen and Lantham acquired the rights to expand the KFC franchise outside of the US. The two of them looked to Britain due to its growing fast-food scene, lack of US competitors and the Brits’ love of US culture and food due to TV shows like ‘I love Lucy’.
In May 1965 Allen gathered a crowd and opened Europe’s first KFC in the place he knew best…Preston! The restaurant even contained cutout of Colonel Sanders!
Read more: Six parts of Preston’s history and heritage we as a city could make more of
At the time, Preston was a big transport hub with good motorway links, like the M6, making it ideal for distribution and access. Additionally, its high working population meant there was a large group of people with disposable income, looking for a quick meal to grab on their lunch breaks.
But according to Allen, it took the people of Preston a while to buy into KFC’s menu and a common complaint was that chicken was for Roast Dinners not fast food. Initially they even had to give it away to encourage interest! Their approach soon paid off and the novelty of fried chicken caught on.
Back when KFC announced they were considering closing the Fishergate store, a decision they soon reversed due to the backlash online and from Blog Preston readers, the late Paul Swarbrick our former co-editor recalled when he visited the KFC in 1965.
Spreading Their Wings
Thanks to KFC’s success in Preston, expansion was rapid with Allen going on to open 250 outlets by 1975! He also continued to work for the franchise on a contractual basis and scoped out locations across the world including New Zealand and the Middle East.
Allen eventually sold his shares in KFC but not before he too was named as a Kentucky Colonel in 1965!
He kept in touch with Sanders throughout his life and ‘The Colonel’ even came to visit him in his new home of Jersey.
Despite initial skepticism, KFC proved that chicken wasn’t just for Sunday roasts, and soon Brits were flocking to get a taste. Allen and Latham took a risk putting the first KFC in Preston and it paid off, giving us a proper claim to fame.
So next time you tuck into a bargain bucket, remember—it all started in Preston!
Read more: See more of our history and nostalgia writing on Blog Preston
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