Colonel Sanders' 135th Birthday! 🎉 Experience the Story of the Man Who Changed the World with KFC's Limited-Time "Colonel's Day 9-Piece Barrel"

This year is special! The legend born 135 years ago

As we find ourselves in 2025, doesn't the Colonel standing at the corner KFC look a bit prouder than usual? 🧔✨

In fact, this year marks a major milestone: the 135th anniversary of the birth of KFC founder Colonel Sanders! Born on September 9, 1890, in Indiana, USA, his life was a tumultuous story of repeated setbacks and successes.

The secret "Original Recipe" chicken, which the Colonel spent 10 years perfecting by 1940, is seasoned with 11 herbs and spices and carefully cooked for about 15 minutes in a specialized pressure cooker. That taste continues to captivate people around the world to this day.

Save 500 yen! Limited-time "Colonel's Day 9-Piece Barrel"

To celebrate this special anniversary, KFC will be selling the "Colonel's Day 9-Piece Barrel" for one week only, from September 3rd to September 9th. Priced at 2,290 yen (tax included), you can enjoy 9 pieces of Original Recipe chicken for 500 yen less than the regular price!

But why "9 pieces"? There is actually a good reason for this. In honor of the "9" in the Colonel's birthday on September 9th, we have focused on the special number of 9 pieces. It is truly a commemorative product packed with love for the Colonel.

Don't miss the additional money-saving campaign

When you purchase a "Colonel's Day 9-Piece Barrel," you can add as many sets of eligible side dishes as you like for "390 yen each (tax included)," which is a discount of up to 210 yen off the regular total price.

The eligible side dishes are:

• Mochi Custard Tsukimi Pie (2 pieces)

• Potato (S) (2 pieces)

• Biscuit (2 pieces)

• Colonel Crispy (2 pieces)

• Choco Pie (2 pieces)

• Coleslaw (S) (2 pieces)

Since the autumn delicacy "Tsukimi Pie" is also included, you can enjoy the seasonal feeling too! 🌕

There are 5 parts to the Original Recipe chicken; which one is your favorite?

By the way, did you know that there are 5 parts to the Original Recipe chicken, each with a different taste and texture? Learning the names of the parts will double your enjoyment the next time you visit KFC!

The #1 most popular 'Thigh' - The King of Juiciness

The thigh is the fattiest part among the five cuts. It has a firm texture and is very satisfying to eat. It consistently ranks at the top of popularity polls and is truly the 'face of Original Recipe Chicken.' It is characterized by its plump texture and juicy flavor, making it an unforgettable treat once you've tried it.

Everyone's favorite 'Drumstick' - Outstanding ease of eating

This is a representative cut popular for its ease of eating and juicy flavor. Many of you probably remember fighting over the 'drumstick' when you were kids, right? It has a handle, making it easy to eat and a cut the whole family can enjoy.

For those who prefer it light: 'Keel (Breast)'

This is a light and tender cut, characterized by its low fat content and refreshing mouthfeel. Aside from the cartilage and small bones, it is quite substantial. It is recommended for health-conscious individuals or those who aren't fond of greasy food.

For the connoisseur: 'Rib'

Although it has many small bones, this is a cut where you can enjoy a deep, savory flavor. The spices soak in between the small bones, creating an incredible taste. It takes a little effort to eat, but you are rewarded with a rich, intense flavor.

Small but delicious: 'Wing'

A cut with firm meat and rich in collagen. Although the size is small, you can enjoy its tight, delicious texture, and it is also popular among women.

Actually, it's not widely known, but some stores allow you to request specific cuts

In fact, depending on the store, you can request specific cuts! However, you cannot order 'all of one specific part.' There are rules in place for how they are served to ensure everyone can enjoy them fairly.

The 'value' for each cut is set as follows:

• Wing: 0.5

• Rib: 1

• Thigh: 1.5

• Drumstick: 1

• Keel: 1

When purchasing 2 pieces, you can choose a combination that totals 2. Why not try requesting 'something light' or 'a more substantial cut' the next time you go to KFC?

The tumultuous life of Colonel Sanders

Now, let's take a deeper look at the person known as Colonel Sanders. In his youth, he drifted through 40 different jobs, and the first gas station he started managing in his late 30s went bankrupt. However, his idea of adding a cafe to his second gas station, which he started at age 40, was a hit, and this became the prototype for what would later become KFC.

A boy who discovered the joy of cooking at age 7

Carrying the first bread he had ever baked by himself, Colonel traveled 5 km to deliver it to the factory where his mother worked, bringing his younger brother and sister along. His mother, of course, and the women working at the factory were full of praise. At just seven years old, he discovered the joy of making people happy through cooking.

This experience is what later led to the KFC philosophy of "wanting to make people happy with delicious food." ✨

The days of challenge supported by his mother's words

Colonel started working at age 10 to support his family, but because of his youth, he couldn't focus on his work and was fired. At that time, his mother said to him, "The important thing in work is to do your best."

These words continued to support him through a turbulent life in which he experienced 40 different occupations. Painting, working for the railroad, being a lawyer's assistant... various experiences would later be put to use in his management.

A new challenge starting at age 40

In June 1930, following a comment from a customer at his gas station, he started "Sanders Court & Cafe," a six-seat restaurant corner converted from a storage shed in a corner of the gas station.

At this time, the Colonel was already 40 years old! Even from our perspective today, starting a new business at 40 takes courage, doesn't it? But the Colonel did not give up.

The honorary title of "Kentucky Colonel"

In 1935, his "contribution to the state's cuisine" was recognized, and he was awarded the honorary title of "Kentucky Colonel" by Kentucky Governor Ruby Laffoon.

Actually, "Colonel" is not a military rank, but an honorary title (honorary colonel/honorary citizen) given to those who have contributed to the state of Kentucky. Many people probably didn't know that, right?

The "secret recipe" completed over 10 years

The secret "Original Recipe" chicken that the Colonel completed in 1940 took him 10 years to perfect. Think about the length of this 10-year period. It is truly a difficult thing for us today to focus on something for 10 years, isn't it?

But the Colonel did not give up. He repeated trial and error until he perfected this recipe, seasoned with 11 herbs and spices and cooked in a pressure cooker to be plump and juicy.

The innovative idea of pressure cooking

The cooking method of deep-frying slowly at a maximum temperature of 185°C for about 15 minutes using a dedicated pressure cooker was innovative for that time. This special cooking method, different from a regular fryer, is what creates the tenderness that makes the meat fall right off the bone.

The contributor who brought fried chicken culture to Japan

In fact, the custom of eating chicken at Christmas in Japan is a tradition that was started by Kentucky Fried Chicken Japan (KFCJ) in 1974!

A unique Japanese culture not found in America

Chicken dishes have become a staple of Christmas in Japan. This custom, which does not exist in the United States, is said to have originated from the large-scale advertising campaigns that KFC has been running since the 1970s.

Incidentally, it is customary to eat turkey for Christmas in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, making the Japanese custom of eating chicken for Christmas quite rare from a global perspective.

It started with foreign customers

It is said that one of the triggers was an incident where a foreign resident in Japan could not get a turkey and ate KFC fried chicken instead.

The historical background of the high economic growth period, when Japan's economic power grew rapidly and citizens had the financial leeway to immerse themselves in consumer culture for the first time, also helped establish this culture.

In 2025, the autumn taste war has begun!

By the way, did you know that the 'Tsukimi (moon-viewing) menu' war between companies is intensifying this autumn? 🌕

McDonald's will start selling 'Tsukimi Burgers' from September 3rd. This year, they have renewed their tomato creamy sauce for the first time in eight years, and a new product, 'Toro-Uma Sukiyaki Tsukimi,' has also appeared.

KFC has also been selling its 'Toro-ri Tsukimi' series nationwide since August 27th, and the 'Triple Tsukimi Burger' even features a surprising menu item with three fried egg-style omelets stacked up!

With so many options to enjoy the tastes of autumn, it's hard to choose which one to pick. 😋

Modern KFC carrying on the Colonel's spirit

In 1997, it was decided that September 9th, the Colonel's birthday, would be 'Colonel's Day.' This decision was an expression of a strong will to steadily realize the Colonel's thoughts and ideals.

Commitment to an unchanging recipe

A precious recipe that all employees have protected every day since 1940. It is truly amazing that it has been kept without a single change for 85 long years.

In modern times, efficiency and cost reduction tend to be emphasized, but KFC stubbornly continues to protect its traditional manufacturing methods. The phrase 'hand-made one by one in the store' also conveys a strong commitment to quality.

Gratitude to customers

As can be seen from the purpose of this campaign, 'with gratitude to our customers for their continued patronage,' KFC never forgets to be grateful to its customers.

This spirit is the very embodiment of the Colonel's desire to make people happy with delicious food. ✨

Why don't you celebrate 'Colonel's Day' too?

September 9th is not just a day where the nines align. It is a very special day 135 years ago when a man was born who would later bring smiles to people all over the world.

The joy of sharing with family and friends

The 9-piece quantity is perfect for sharing with family and friends. It's wonderful to choose your favorite parts and enjoy conversations like, "I got the thigh today!" or "I love the drumstick."

The special feeling of a limited-time offer

Because it is a short period from September 3rd to September 9th, you won't want to miss this opportunity. If you eat it on September 9th, the Colonel's actual birthday, you'll likely feel even more special.

A 500 yen saving is also a nice bonus

Saving 500 yen off the regular price is great for the household budget. You can use the extra 500 yen to enjoy additional side menus or add a dessert.

Summary: The legend continues

Colonel Sanders' 135th birthday and the limited-time sale of the "Colonel's Day 9-Piece Barrel." This is a special event that goes beyond mere product sales, celebrating the life and passion of one man.

The Colonel experienced 40 different jobs, started a new challenge at age 40, and spent 10 years creating the perfect recipe. His life teaches us the importance of continuing to challenge ourselves without giving up.

And above all, his desire to "make people happy with delicious food" is still infused into the Original Recipe chicken, which is hand-prepared one by one at KFC stores around the world.

On September 9th, the Colonel's 135th birthday, why not celebrate this special day with a "Colonel's Day 9-Piece Barrel"? 🎂✨

The Colonel is surely watching over our smiles from heaven.

[Sales Information]

• Product Name: Colonel's Day 9-Piece Barrel

• Price: 2,290 yen including tax (500 yen off the regular price)

• Sales Period: September 3 (Tue) - September 9 (Mon), 2025

• Participating Stores: KFC stores nationwide (delivery not included)

• Additional Side Menus: Multiple sets can be purchased for 390 yen for every 2 items

*Prices and sales periods are subject to change. Please check with your nearest KFC store or the official KFC website for details.