Introduction
KFC is one of the most popular fast food restaurants in the world, but there are some secrets they don’t want you to know. From the ingredients they use to the way they prepare their food, there are some things that KFC would rather keep hidden. In this article, we’ll reveal 11 secrets KFC doesn’t want you to know. We’ll also provide some tips on how to make healthier choices when eating at KFC. So, if you’re looking for the inside scoop on KFC, read on to find out what they don’t want you to know.
11 Secrets KFC Doesn’t Want You to Know
KFC is one of the most popular fast-food chains in the world, but there are some secrets that the company doesn’t want you to know. From the ingredients in their famous fried chicken to the way they prepare it, here are 11 secrets KFC doesn’t want you to know.
1. KFC Uses Trans Fats
KFC is known for its fried chicken, but what many people don’t know is that the chain uses trans fats in its cooking oil. Trans fats are unhealthy and can increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other health problems. KFC has been criticized for using trans fats, but the company has yet to make any changes.
2. KFC Uses MSG
KFC also uses MSG (monosodium glutamate) in its food. MSG is a flavor enhancer that has been linked to headaches, nausea, and other health problems. KFC has been criticized for using MSG, but the company has yet to make any changes.
3. KFC Uses Artificial Colors and Flavors
KFC also uses artificial colors and flavors in its food. These additives can be unhealthy and have been linked to a variety of health problems. KFC has been criticized for using artificial colors and flavors, but the company has yet to make any changes.
4. KFC Uses High Fructose Corn Syrup
KFC also uses high fructose corn syrup in its food. High fructose corn syrup is a type of sugar that has been linked to obesity, diabetes, and other health problems. KFC has been criticized for using high fructose corn syrup, but the company has yet to make any changes.
5. KFC Uses Sodium-Heavy Ingredients
KFC also uses sodium-heavy ingredients in its food. Sodium can be unhealthy and has been linked to high blood pressure, stroke, and other health problems. KFC has been criticized for using sodium-heavy ingredients, but the company has yet to make any changes.
6. KFC Uses Low-Quality Chicken
KFC also uses low-quality chicken in its food. The chicken is often frozen and has been linked to food poisoning and other health problems. KFC has been criticized for using low-quality chicken, but the company has yet to make any changes.
7. KFC Uses Unhealthy Cooking Methods
KFC also uses unhealthy cooking methods in its food. The chain often deep-fries its food, which can be unhealthy and has been linked to obesity and other health problems. KFC has been criticized for using unhealthy cooking methods, but the company has yet to make any changes.
8. KFC Uses Unhealthy Oils
KFC also uses unhealthy oils in its food. The chain often uses vegetable oils, which can be unhealthy and have been linked to heart disease and other health problems. KFC has been criticized for using unhealthy oils, but the company has yet to make any changes.
9. KFC Uses Unhealthy Salts
KFC also uses unhealthy salts in its food. The chain often uses iodized salt, which can be unhealthy and has been linked to high blood pressure and other health problems. KFC has been criticized for using unhealthy salts, but the company has yet to make any changes.
10. KFC Uses Unhealthy Additives
KFC also uses unhealthy additives in its food. The chain often uses preservatives, which can be unhealthy and have been linked to cancer and other health problems. KFC has been criticized for using unhealthy additives, but the company has yet to make any changes.
11. KFC Uses Unhealthy Ingredients
KFC also uses unhealthy ingredients in its food. The chain often uses artificial flavors, colors, and sweeteners, which can be unhealthy and have been linked to obesity and other health problems. KFC has been criticized for using unhealthy ingredients, but the company has yet to make any changes.
You may be familiar with the ever-present rotating red and white chicken basket and the wholesome face of lovable Colonel Sanders, but do you probably don’t know the actual story behind the franchise that’s been around since 1952. There are so many secrets about KFC and founder Colonel Sanders’ famous recipe, it’s hard to know what is fiction and what is fact, but we dug in to find out the history of the brand, menu hacks, items to avoid, and even some insight into that secret recipe (maybe).
And of course, not to turn you off to your bucket of chicken, but there are some things you should know before ordering your lunch or dinner. (Plus, come back to find out 11 Secrets Texas Roadhouse Doesn’t Want You to Know.)
While you may know the Colonel from the ads starring Jim Gaffigan, he was a real person named Harland David Sanders who spawned a fast-food empire with his chicken recipe. Sanders began selling food to travelers from a gas station in Kentucky. As History points out, he became a hit with travelers selling his simple country fare of country ham, okra, biscuits, string beans, and similar items as an alternative to the typical diner food found along the highways. And in 1939 he discovered that using pressure cookers to perfect his quick-frying chicken coated in his secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices.
RELATED: Sign up for our newsletter for more fast-food secrets and healthy eating tips.
An aggressive marketer, Sanders painted advertising signs on buildings for miles around his gas station slash restaurant, according to History. Matt Stewart, who ran another local gas station, started painting over his signs, and when Sanders found out he rushed to stop him, accompanied by two Shell executives. And, according to Josh Ozersky’s book Colonel Sanders and the American Dream, Stewart grabbed his gun and fatally shot Shell district manager Robert Gibson. Sanders returned fire and wounded Stewart in the shoulder. Stewart was sentenced to 18 years in prison for murder, but charges against Sanders were eventually dropped.
RELATED: KFC Is Making These Major Changes to Its Iconic Chicken Sandwich
That 11 herbs and spices recipe has always been a secret, until, in 2016, a writer for the Chicago Tribune unearthed what is purported to be the actual recipe with all 11 herbs and spices—including the white pepper. While we can’t be 100% sure it’s the real recipe, white pepper is unusual and the flavor profile described in the recipe does match the flavors of KFC.
RELATED: The Best and Worst Menu Foods at KFC
Not for the faint of heart, gizzards are a muscle in a chicken’s digestive tract that holds all the dirt chickens pick up when pecking in the dirt—it aids the birds in digesting their food. A lot of people love them, and after they were removed from menus a few years back people demanded them back and created a Return Livers, Gizzards to KFC’s Menu Facebook page. The campaign proved so successful that KFC brought gizzards back to select locations.
RELATED: What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Fried Chicken
KFC’s famous bunless Double Down sandwich—in which bacon, sliced cheese, and the Colonel’s Special Sauce sat between two fried chicken filets—is no longer on the menu, but if you order the individual components, the staff will put the deep-fried madness together for you. The one element you can’t get? The special sauce, sorry!
RELATED: 15 Discontinued Fast-Food Desserts That Deserve a Comeback
If you’re of a certain age, you know KFC used to be called Kentucky Fried Chicken. Why the name change? Bloomberg reported in 1991 that the name change was part of a rebranding in an attempt to make the chain at least seem a little bit healthy. Using just the initials removed “fried” from the name and at least seemed to give the restaurant a different image. However, Snopes claims the name change was due to a trademark issue with the state of Kentucky.
RELATED: 20 McDonald’s Secrets Employees Don’t Want You to Know
Believe it or not, Dave Thomas, the man behind Wendy’s was an early KFC employee and franchise owner. According to The Balance Small Business, Thomas came up with the idea for the iconic red and white striped chicken bucket, the streamlined menu, and the rotating chicken bucket signs.
RELATED: KFC Is Nearing the Completion Of Its Revolutionary New Product, Its President Says
KFC loves stunt food and the attention it gets the chain, and in 2014 they offered a prom-ready fried chicken corsage, according to the Los Angeles Times. For those who were brave enough to buy this for their date, a florist sent the corsage structure and some baby’s breath, along with a $5 KFC gift card. That way, the buyer could purchase fresh fried chicken and arrange it themselves.
RELATED: 11 Secrets In-N-Out Doesn’t Want You to Know
This one is super easy, according to Buzzfeed. Order biscuits, coleslaw, and original recipe. Slice the biscuits in half, then add some shredded chicken and top with coleslaw. A dab of BBQ sauce might be good too!
RELATED: The Best Secret Menu Options at Your Favorite Fast-Food Chains
Okay bear with us here, but KFC Singapore is pretty wild. According to Mashed, in 2012 the chain’s Singapore franchises started selling Shrimp Stars and Fish Donuts. What does that even mean? Well, they’re less offbeat than they might sound. Shrimp Stars are shrimp nuggets in the shape of stars that are breaded and deep-fried, while Fish Donuts are fish patties breaded and deep-fried in the shape of donuts.
RELATED: 10 Secrets Chili’s Doesn’t Want You to Know
If you love your health, maybe avoid this bowl that’s stacked with rich mashed potatoes, popcorn chicken bites, cheese, and gobs of gravy. It’s also packed with 720 calories, 34 grams of fat, and an eye-watering 2,370 milligrams of sodium.
Read more secrets about your favorite restaurants:
11 Secrets Dunkin’ Doesn’t Want You to Know
11 Secrets Panera Bread Doesn’t Want You to Know
11 Secrets Arby’s Doesn’t Want You to Know