SHELBYVILLE, Ky. – More than 70 personal belongings of Colonel Harland Sanders, the founder of KFC, were auctioned on Tuesday, July 31st, 2026, in Shelbyville, Kentucky. The auction drew collectors from across the United States and online bidders eager to own pieces of fast-food history.

The collection featured items from both Sanders' personal and professional life, including handwritten notes, recipe cards, his signature black clip-on bow tie, and a 1964 executive planner that sparked intense bidding. The planner ultimately sold for $30,000, while a 1955 Kentucky Colonel certificate fetched about $23,000, and the iconic bow tie sold for $8,000.

Bill Menish, owner and lead auctioneer with The Menish Group, told Fox News, "They had all of this in basements and closets and everything, and decided it was time to let the world, who loves the man, have an opportunity to buy the memorabilia."

Menish also highlighted how Sanders revolutionized the fast-food industry by introducing the pressure cooker, which was not originally intended for fried chicken, reducing cooking time from 30 minutes to 10 minutes. "And that's what really revolutionized his ability to service the fast food growing industry," Menish said.

The auction generated additional interest due to a handwritten note on the back of the 1964 planner. A family member expressed a desire to see the buyers of these personal items, saying, "I really wanted to see the people who were going to be purchasing my grandpa's stuff."

Meanwhile, Colonel Sanders' former home and the Claudia Sanders Dinner House remain up for sale in Kentucky.

Sources