KFC Secret Recipe Relocated

Kentucky Fried Chicken - KFC recipe for eleven herbs and spices to be moved to secret location.
@worldwise1 (14885)
United States
September 9, 2008 8:40am CST
I was amused to hear over the news this morning that KFC is moving the recipe for their famous eleven herbs and spices, under guard, to a new secret location. The recipe, written by the Colonel himself, is said to be contained on a yellowed paper that is inside a briefcase that will be secured to the arm of the courier. This caused me to ask myself, "What would I do to get hold of that list of ingredients?" Do you think someone would actually take desperate measures in order to obtain the recipe? This is my burning question for the day.
8 people like this
17 responses
@alphason (233)
10 Sep 08
Really, who would want to steal the secret recipe? OK as far as fast food goes KFC is not so bad, but do they really think that the general public or there competitors are that interested in the secret. I think the recipe is not tat essential to their business, I do find that there is a variatin in the taste between branches so there must be more to the process than the secret recipe only.
2 people like this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
10 Sep 08
While the Colonel was in control, alphason, he managed to keep the product consistent from chain to chain, but, as we all know, once the cat is away the mouse will play.Then again, nothing has the quality that it used to.
@Shaun72 (15959)
• Palatka, Florida
10 Sep 08
That is very intersting to want to know this recipe. I love to eat their orignal recipe that is for sure. My mother told me when she worked there yeard ago that the chicken was soaked in a pan of buttermilk. then some sort of spices where add after they were soaked . She never told me what the spices were but that still counds really neat. I think the spices came premade.
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
10 Sep 08
That makes sense, Shaun, if the Colonel wanted to protect the recipe that he would find a way to keep the herbs and spices secret. I also like the original recipe and think it's a wonderful tradition to continue.
@GardenGerty (160909)
• United States
9 Sep 08
I think it is probably just a big publicity thing. Each chicken cooking restaurant has its own secret recipe. Each has its own loyal following. It would be for the notoriety that someone would steal it. Of course some nutty person might try to steal it for his "fifteen minutes of fame." It is interesting that in this high tech day and age they can still put some much emphasis on that kind of a secret. Of course it is also the fact that that yellow piece of paper is a company icon.
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
10 Sep 08
Considering that the Colonel built his fortune on that recipe, GG, I can understand their not wishing it to get out. I've heard of some families who guard recipes religiously. As, for loyalty, shoot, I like them all!
@Aurone (4755)
• United States
9 Sep 08
How amusing. Who would want it? I mean seriously, what would you do sell it to Church's chicken?
2 people like this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
10 Sep 08
They probably figure, Aurone, that someone could get hold of the recipe and start selling their chicken at a lower price -shutting them down.
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
9 Sep 08
I saw this article too World and I am still amazed that the secret is still kept secret all this time..A friend of mine had this cookbook where cooks have experimented with different recipes trying to copy famous food. They did have a recipe for the biscuits, (which I copied), and for Wendys frosties and Famous Amos chocolate chip cookies.. So they obviously were not able to copy the famous eleven herbs and spices and since it is hard to find a subsitute, they can see them taking this precaution..
@Draco04 (24)
• United States
10 Sep 08
I think it is stupid. Why would anyone want the recipe?. There chicken is good but not enought to sell the recipe. I think they just did this to draw more people toward them. Why would the want to move the recipe in the first place. It's not that anyone really cares.
2 people like this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
10 Sep 08
They value that recipe very highly, Draco, and if I'm not mistaken the Colonel made them promise not to reveal it when he eventually sold the franchise. There are those who don't feel that imitation is nice flattery.
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
10 Sep 08
Thank you for making me laugh, I don't even like KFC in the first place, I find it far too spicy, greasy and unappetizing, so I wouldn't even go near the recipe. Even if the recipe was facing me I wouldn't bother looking, I have no interest. But I think it's all a big hype a way of selling their product because they have a secret recipe. Hey anyone could do that to get sales and it's all a big commercial thing to be honest that's just my opinion on the matter, probably because I am biased on the subject, but nevertheless the story amused me!
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
10 Sep 08
I believe the important thing here, wolfie, is the tradition. Like it or hate it, KFC is probably the most famous fried chicken in the world, and that is something worth guarding.
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
9 Sep 08
I think it was pretty silly. They should have just kept quiet and moved it.
2 people like this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
10 Sep 08
I guess, Thoroughrob, like the reason behind most things these days, it was all done for publicity.
@carolscash (9492)
• United States
9 Sep 08
First of all, I don't know why it would be broadcast that they were moving it and to a new secret location. I do think that it would be a big risk and I would think that there are people out there that would try to get it. However, I also feel that if they had kept it quiet then it could have been done without any kind of hype. It is probably one of the most sought after recipes and yet, I am sure that if we seen it then we would think what is so special about that. I am sure that there is nothing major in it.
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
10 Sep 08
I don't think it's nearly as huge as it was in the very beginning, carolscash, but it would still be considered a coup if someone were to actually get hold of it. They went public with the transfer to drum up business, naturally.
@moneyandgc (3428)
• United States
10 Sep 08
I saw this headline today when I signed into aol. I had to laugh. They acted like they were really worried about that secret recipe getting out. If that was the case, I would think they would have done it in secret. I highly doubt the papparazzi is staking out KFC to watch and see if they ever moved the recipe. They could have just moved it and nobody would be the wiser. lol
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
10 Sep 08
I was thinking they had probably already moved it before making the announcement to the public, moneyandgc.
@Hastur (100)
10 Sep 08
Hey, thats a cool story. There are a lot of weirdos out there, you know? Surely someone will attempt something otherwise security mesaures wouldn't be taken. Can you post a link to the story or something? Thanks. http://thedayifreakedout.blogspot.com/
1 person likes this
@magojordan (3252)
• Philippines
10 Sep 08
I think that they are just saying this to gain publicity. However I think that KFC's recipe is really very special, not only the ingredients itself but also the way they cook it. I think that whoever knows the recipe is blessed to know that he or she could make KFC style chicken at home.
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
10 Sep 08
I agree with you, magojordan. And the herbs and spices used are so distinctive that I could tell if I was blindfolded if it was KFC.
@insulin (2479)
• Philippines
9 Sep 08
I saw the article too awhile ago and I read it and I guess they just want some attentions to make thier product more famous and to make the people more curious about it.:-0 Secret is a secret and I am sure its still a secret and this article is just for publicity but anyway If I will have the ingredients then Im sure they will hunt me down.Lol I remember spongebob squarepants,YOu know secret ingredients but no one still knows about it.Lol GOd bless and have a nice day.:-0
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
10 Sep 08
They certainly would hunt you down, insulin! That "finger-lickin' good chicken" has become an American institution.
@Sheepie (3112)
• United States
10 Sep 08
This reminds me of how Plankton is always trying to get the recipe for the secret formula for Krabby Patties on the cartoon show Spongebob Squarepants. Do you know if they can just copyright the recipe? Then again, if someone found it they could still make a duplicate but make it sort of different, I guess. Well, I love fried chicken of any kind, I don't really see what is so special about KFC, however it is good.
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
10 Sep 08
I adore Spongebob, Sheepie! The reason it is such a big deal is because it was the first innovative fried chicken franchise, which usually turns out to be the best. I believe it's still #1.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
18 Sep 08
Back in the good old days when were first introduced to the Colonel and his 11 secret herbs and spices, I for one was enthralled. I loved the finger licken' delectable deliciousness. But at some stage along the way the stuff called monosodiumglutomate, otherwise known as msg was found to be not terribly good for us even though it made food taste splendiferous. The Chinese takeaways removed it from their food and the taste of Kentucky fried changed drastically as well. I waited for the 11 herbs and spices (secret) to be changed to 10 but it didn't happen. Perhaps because it was replaced immediately with a substance that causes us to become addicted to the stuff. There are heaps of recipes purporting to be home made KFC world.: http://recipegal.com/other/genuineKFCsecretrecipe.htm just try Googling "kfc recipes" and see what you come up with. Have fun!
@switlyf (649)
• Philippines
10 Sep 08
Hmm.. that's so intriguing! I guess no one would be bothering in getting those secret recipe..Happy mylotting, cheers!
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
5 Apr 09
I'm not sure what someone would do for the recipe of KFC's chicken, lol. The question actually makes me think of the commercial for Klondike Bars. "What would you do for a Klondike Bar?" Appealing and interaction kind of commercial. Now I know someone who used to work for KFC and even the ingredient bags only say "Various Herbs and Spices"... Hmm which begs the question "what is in the chicken" and "Do we want to know?" Well have a great day!