About this video

• Video Title: I Was the Next Colonel Sanders. KFC Had Other Plans. | 'Almost Famous' by Op-Docs
• Channel: The New York Times
• Speakers: Haddon Salt (narrator)
• Duration: 00:08:51

Overview

This video is a personal account by Haddon Salt, the founder of H. Salt Fish & Chips, detailing his journey from his family's fish and chip shop in England to establishing a successful franchise in America. He contrasts his dream of empowering individuals through self-employment with the corporate goals of KFC when they acquired his company, ultimately leading to the dilution of his original vision.

Key takeaways

• Haddon Salt's Entrepreneurial Spirit: Salt felt a strong pull towards America's promise of opportunity and self-employment, which inspired him to bring his family's fish and chip business to the U.S. after WWII.
• Brand Building on Authenticity: He emphasized quality and the "romance of England" in his initial H. Salt Esquire shops, creating a strong brand identity and customer loyalty.
• Rapid Expansion and Acquisition: H. Salt Fish & Chips grew rapidly, eventually leading to an acquisition by KFC, which Salt initially saw as a validation of his success.
• Clash of Visions: Salt's goal of empowering individuals clashed with KFC's corporate strategy, leading to a compromise in quality and standards that ultimately stifled the company's growth and authenticity.
• Personal Reflection on Success and Loss: Despite the business's eventual decline under KFC's management, Salt reflects on the experience with a sense of detachment, acknowledging that "life moves forward" and emphasizing the importance of his name and reputation.

The video title, "I Was the Next Colonel Sanders. KFC Had Other Plans. | 'Almost Famous' by Op-Docs," is not misleading. It accurately reflects the narrative presented in the transcript. The speaker, Haddon Salt, draws a parallel between himself and Colonel Sanders as a successful food franchise founder. The subsequent mention of "KFC Had Other Plans" directly addresses the core conflict in the story: the acquisition of his company by KFC and how their corporate objectives diverged from his original vision. The phrase "'Almost Famous'" likely alludes to his significant success that, while substantial, didn't reach the same global iconic status as KFC.