In a viral TikTok video that's racked up millions of views since its September 28, 2025, posting, a man purporting to be the great-great-great-nephew of KFC founder Colonel Harland Sanders has unleashed what he calls the "true" original recipe for the chain's iconic fried chicken. The clip, shared under the handle @realcolonelsanders, accuses Kentucky Fried Chicken of blocking him online after he slammed their marketing as a "disrespectful" sexualization of his ancestor's image. With over 5 million views and counting as of October 1, 2025, the video has sparked a frenzy of copycat recipes, corporate backlash debates, and even a cheeky challenge to KFC itself.

The self-proclaimed heir, who remains anonymous beyond his family ties claim, frames his revelation as a principled stand. "I've spent years on this account upholding Colonel Sanders's legacy and Kentucky Fried Chicken history," he says in the video, his voice laced with frustration. But after calling out KFC's ad team as "weird, disrespectful, and disgusting," he alleges the brand silenced him. "They blocked me because I wouldn't stay quiet about how they've twisted my great-great-great-uncle's image for profit."

At the heart of the drama is the poster's critique of KFC's evolving campaigns. He points to ads over the past decade that he says have "sexualized" the Colonel—depicting the white-suited entrepreneur in flirtatious or exaggerated scenarios, sometimes with fans encouraged to join in via social media challenges. "They've turned my uncle into a sex symbol for likes and sales," he claims, citing examples like a 2023 Super Bowl spot where a cartoon Colonel winks at viewers amid suggestive innuendos. "It's not honoring the man who built this empire; it's cheapening it."

KFC has yet to respond directly to the video, but a company spokesperson told Unilad on September 30, 2025, that the brand "respects Colonel Sanders' legacy and continues to innovate in ways that celebrate his entrepreneurial spirit." Insiders note the chain's marketing shift toward irreverent humor, including celebrity endorsements from Reba McEntire and a 2024 "Colonel Remix" campaign, has drawn mixed reactions—praise for relevance, criticism for straying from the founder's folksy roots.

The poster insists his actions stem from a place of family pride, not spite. "I can't support a company that's mocking what he stood for," he says, vowing to pivot his content toward authentic Southern cooking traditions.

Diving into the meat of the matter, the video's centerpiece is a meticulously detailed recipe, complete with measurements and step-by-step instructions displayed on-screen. Drawing from what he describes as "family facts and receipts"—including notes from Colonel Sanders' actual nephew, Lee Cummings—the poster reconstructs the legendary "11 herbs and spices" blend that's eluded home cooks since KFC's 1952 debut.

The spices, he asserts, are: sage, garlic powder, cardamom, cayenne, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, coriander, ginger, white pepper, and black pepper. Quantities are precise: for example, 1 teaspoon sage, 1/2 teaspoon cardamom, and a dash of cayenne for heat. He pairs this with a buttermilk brine, double-dredge in flour-cornstarch mix, and pressure-frying at 350°F for crisp perfection.

Dismissing the infamous 2016 Chicago Tribune "leak" (which included MSG and was quickly debunked by KFC), he credits his grandfather's handwritten tweaks for authenticity. "This isn't guesswork—it's generational knowledge," he emphasizes. "Adjust to taste, but this is how it was meant to be."

The reveal ends with a bold gauntlet: "I have facts and receipts to back this up. Show us what yours is, KFC." Social media exploded, with users sharing their attempts—#RealKFCRecipe trended on TikTok, amassing 1.2 million posts by October 1.

While the video's emotional pull is undeniable, questions swirl about the poster's lineage. Public records confirm Colonel Sanders had descendants through his daughter Margaret, but verifying a "great-great-great-nephew" requires deeper genealogy dives—efforts underway by outlets like LadBible. The account, launched in 2023, has 150,000 followers built on KFC lore videos, lending credence but not proof.

KFC, ever protective of its "secret" (reportedly locked in a vault in Louisville), has historically sued over recipe claims. No legal action yet, but experts predict a response soon. Meanwhile, taste tests by YouTubers like Binging with Babish (September 30 upload) rate the shared blend "shockingly close" to the real deal, minus the proprietary pressure-fryer magic.

As copycats flood kitchens worldwide, this saga underscores a timeless tension: corporate evolution versus founder reverence. Whether hoax or heritage, @realcolonelsanders has reignited the fried chicken mystique—one spicy reveal at a time.