Episode

How KFC Built a Brand Around a Stolen Recipe

Podcast
Brand Storytelling with Fexingo: Narrative, Mission, and Stories That Sell
Published
Jun 29, 2026
Duration seconds
787
Processing state
not_requested
Canonical source
https://audio.fexingo.com/business/brand-storytelling/episode-0080.mp3
Audio
https://audio.fexingo.com/business/brand-storytelling/episode-0080.mp3
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Markdown
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Summary

This episode of Brand Storytelling explores how KFC turned a stolen fried chicken recipe into the foundation of a global brand. Lucas and Luna trace the origins of Colonel Sanders' secret blend of 11 herbs and spices, the legal battles that followed, and how KFC transformed a theft into a marketing asset. They discuss the 2024 discovery of a handwritten recipe in a Kentucky attic, the subsequent lawsuit with a former supplier, and how the company used the controversy to reinforce brand lore. The hosts examine the tension between authenticity and corporate control, and what happens when a brand's origin story is literally up for grabs. A case study in turning vulnerability into narrative strength. #BrandStorytelling #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #KFC #ColonelSanders #Marketing #BrandNarrative #SecretRecipe #LegalDrama #IP #Trademark #Authenticity #FastFood #BrandLore #CrisisMarketing #StolenRecipe #KFCRecipe #Business Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo