Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise partners , JRN , Inc ., are making a significant investment to renovate and expand the famous Sanders Café KFC located in Corbin . Major construction is taking place to update and expand the restaurant and museum , transforming the guest experience for its visitors from all over the world .

Today , the restaurant features the original Sanders Café dining room , showcases a model of the Colonel ’ s original kitchen and a replica hotel room . Those elements will keep their historical integrity and receive some updates . Renovation plans also consist of a 3,000-square-foot addition , which includes a dining area expansion that will offer seating for up to 132 guests .

Plans for the restaurant ’ s renovation were entirely custom created to keep the historical integrity of the location while adding additional square footage and expanding memorabilia displays that highlight the history of the place and the KFC brand .

Though the redesign is unique to this location , some design elements are drawn from KFC ’ s signature American Showman design aesthetic , which pays tribute to Colonel Sanders .

Some key elements featured in the interior of the restaurant will include :

— Harland ’ s Herb and Spice room that celebrates Colonel Sanders signature World Famous Original Recipe Chicken and secret blend of 11 herbs and spices

— A historical KFC timeline that celebrates the legacy of Colonel Sanders to be featured in an expanded museum space

— Model of Sanders Café ’ s original kitchen and a hotel room

— A retail area where guests can purchase souvenirs to commemorate their visit to the Sanders Café

While the restaurant transformation is expected to take more than nine months , the restaurant plans to remain open throughout construction .

Page 56 — The Times-Tribune • Community Guide 2022

Tri-County Community Guide 2022 | Page 56