…if the LifeLike Kentucky Fried Chicken resturant would be correct for my layouts late 50’s era? I really like the kit, it reminds me of when I was a kid, but I can’t find any info on when KFC’s looked like the kit.
As near as I recall, KFCs have not changed in appearance very much over the years. The one here in Sierra Vista looks like KFCs everywhere else in Arizona if they were originally built by KFC and not some other company, and it is very close to what is depicted in the LifeLike kit.
Most chains like KFC have a standard building plan that must be used if you want to become a franchisee. Making every one appear the same means instant recognition by the public.
I was stationed at Ft Hauchucha 41 years ago. Sierra Vista didn’t have much of anything then.
I think the LL KFC is the 60’s era. We had one like that in my hometown in the 60’s.
Me too – I first came to Fort Huachuca in 1971 and Sierra Vista was nothing compared to today – population 40,000+ and Fry Boulevard if now 5 lanes for five miles with nothing but fast food joints from end to end. Most people call it French Fry Boulevard.
here ya’ go
KFC time line.
9/9/1890
Harland Sanders is born just outside Henryville, Indiana.
1900-1924
Harland Sanders holds a variety of jobs including: farm hand, streetcar conductor, army private in Cuba, blacksmith’s helper, railyard fireman, insurance salesman, tire salesman and service station operator for Standard Oil.
1930
In the midst of the depression, Harland Sanders opens his first restaurant in the small front room of a gas station in Corbin, Kentucky. Sanders serves as station operator, chief cook and cashier and names the dining area “Sanders Court & Café.”
1936
Kentucky Governor Ruby Laffoon makes Harland Sanders an honorary Kentucky Colonel in recognition of his contributions to the state’s cuisine.
1937
The Sanders Court & Café adds a motel and expands the restaurant to 142 seats.
1939
The Sanders Court & Café is first listed in Duncan Hines’ “Adventures in Good Eating.”
Fire destroys The Sanders Court & Café, but it is rebuilt and reopened.
The pressure cooker is introduced. Soon thereafter Colonel Sanders begins using it to fry his chicken to give customers fresh chicken, faster.
1940
Birthdate of the Original Recipe
1949
Sanders marries Claudia Price.
1952
The Colonel begins actively franchising his chicken business by traveling from town to town and cooking batches of chicken for restaurant owners and employees.
The Colonel awards Pete Harman of Salt Lake City with the first KFC franchise. A handshake agreement stipulates a payment of a nickel to Sanders for each chicken sold.
1955
An interstate highway is built to bypass Corbin, Kentucky. Sanders sells the service station on the same day that he receives his first social security check for $105. After paying debts owed, he is virtually broke. He decides to go on the road to sell his Secret Recipe to restaurants.
Believe me, it hasn’t changed much. [:D]
[quote user=“river_eagle”]
here ya’ go
KFC time line.
9/9/1890
Harland Sanders is born just outside Henryville, Indiana.
1900-1924
Harland Sanders holds a variety of jobs including: farm hand, streetcar conductor, army private in Cuba, blacksmith’s helper, railyard fireman, insurance salesman, tire salesman and service station operator for Standard Oil.
1930
In the midst of the depression, Harland Sanders opens his first restaurant in the small front room of a gas station in Corbin, Kentucky. Sanders serves as station operator, chief cook and cashier and names the dining area “Sanders Court & Café.”
1936
Kentucky Governor Ruby Laffoon makes Harland Sanders an honorary Kentucky Colonel in recognition of his contributions to the state’s cuisine.
1937
The Sanders Court & Café adds a motel and expands the restaurant to 142 seats.
1939
The Sanders Court & Café is first listed in Duncan Hines’ “Adventures in Good Eating.”
Fire destroys The Sanders Court & Café, but it is rebuilt and reopened.
The pressure cooker is introduced. Soon thereafter Colonel Sanders begins using it to fry his chicken to give customers fresh chicken, faster.
1940
Birthdate of the Original Recipe
1949
Sanders marries Claudia Price.
1952
The Colonel begins actively franchising his chicken business by traveling from town to town and cooking batches of chicken for restaurant owners and employees.
The Colonel awards Pete Harman of Salt Lake City with the first KFC franchise. A handshake agreement stipulates a payment of a nickel to Sanders for each chicken sold.
1955
An interstate highway is built to bypass Corbin, Kentucky. Sanders sells the service station on the same day that he receives his first social security check for $105. After paying debts owed, he is virtually broke. He decides to go on the road to sell his Secret Recipe to r
Everybody gets all upset if you tell the poster to “Google it” but the timeline is just copy and pasted right off KFC’s history page. Google KFC history and you will get that timeline.
I know we are getting away from the “train” topic here but here is a little known tidbit of onfo regarding KFC The famous paper bucket that KFC uses for its larger sized orders of chicken and has come to signify the company was originally created by Wendy’s restaurants founder Dave Thomas. Thomas was originally a franchisee of the original Kentucky Fried Chicken and operated several outlets in the Columbus, Ohio area. His reasoning behind using the paper packaging was that it helped keep the chicken crispy by wicking away excess moisture. Thomas was also responsible for the creation of the famous rotating bucket sign that came to be used at most KFC locations in the US
I am also thinking that that building style was maybe late 60’s early 70s ook at this website
I did lookup the KFC website and read the timeline before I posted…Im not that lazy, well close.[:)] I still dont know it that answers my question, but I’ll look for a photo of a resturant from the 50’s and see what it looks like or I’ll just say “scr#w it” and use it even if its a little out of date. No need to be exact, this is supposed to be fun.
I remember seeing the Round Bucket on the pole around 1970. I have one of the KFC kits assembled and put away and it looks like '70’s to me.
Now theres a project and a half for ya…a lighted rotating bucket of chicken on a pole…with steam comming off of the chicken.