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Food & Lifestyle
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Beyond the 11 Herbs & Spices: The Story of Colonel Sanders' Other Chicken Nephew
While Colonel Sanders built a global empire, his nephew Lee Cummings was creating his own fried chicken legacy. After learning the trade from his famous uncle, Cummings developed a distinct honey-dipped, pressure-cooked recipe and launched Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken, a regional success story.
When you think of fried chicken royalty, one image invariably comes to mind: a kindly, goateed Southern gentleman in a crisp white suit. Colonel Harland Sanders is more than a mascot; he's a global icon, the face of a fast-food empire built on a secret blend of 11 herbs and spices. But the story of the Sanders family's contribution to fried chicken doesn't end with KFC. In the shadow of that global giant, another family member was building a legacy of his own: the Colonel's nephew, Lee Cummings.
A Protégé in the Making
Long before he had his own famous recipe, Lee Cummings was intimately familiar with his uncle's. Born in Indiana, Cummings spent his early years working alongside Harland Sanders, learning the food business from the inside out. He wasn't just a passive observer; he was one of the first people entrusted with the Colonel's secret recipe, personally mixing the iconic seasonings and helping to establish the very first Kentucky Fried Chicken franchises. He traveled the country, setting up restaurants and training new operators, becoming a crucial, if quiet, player in KFC's initial expansion.
A New Recipe for Success
After more than a decade helping build his uncle's empire, Cummings felt the pull of his own ambition. He had developed a deep understanding of the pressure-frying process and the tastes of American diners, and he believed he could create something different, something uniquely his own. In 1966, he struck out on his own, opening the first "Harold's Take-Home" in the small community of Harold's Cross Roads, Ohio. The name would soon change to reflect the star of the show: Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken.
The recipe was the key differentiator. While still pressure-cooked to seal in the juices, Cummings' chicken was marinated, honey-dipped, and featured a less peppery spice blend than his uncle's. It was a subtle but significant departure, crafted to create a distinct flavor profile. In an oral history interview, Cummings reflected on the divergence:
We were doing so many things that was so different from what Kentucky Fried Chicken was doing. We added the honey. We added the wedges. Of course, they came along later and added a lot of the things that we had started.
This commitment to a unique product, including signature side dishes like potato wedges, quickly earned Lee's a dedicated local following.
Building a Regional Empire
Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken began to grow, first through Ohio and then into neighboring states. The company's success attracted the attention of larger corporations. In 1981, the chain was acquired by Shoney's, Inc., a move that helped accelerate its expansion. Ownership has changed hands a few times since, but the brand has maintained its identity and its foothold in the American Midwest and South.
Unlike KFC's relentless global march, Lee's found its strength as a powerful regional player. Today, with over 130 locations primarily in 12 states, it thrives on a reputation for quality and a sense of community that larger chains often struggle to replicate. For many in states like Ohio, Kentucky, and Alabama, Lee's isn't a KFC competitor; it's the hometown favorite.
The Other Sanders Legacy
The story of Lee Cummings is a fascinating chapter in the history of American fast food. It's a reminder that even the most iconic brands have complex family stories behind them. While Colonel Sanders achieved worldwide fame, his nephew quietly proved that there was room for more than one famous chicken recipe in the family. Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken stands as a testament to innovation, friendly competition, and the enduring power of a well-cooked meal.