• Home
  • News
  • Fortune 500
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
KFC

KFC Pays $11,000 to Parents Who Name Child After Colonel Sanders

By
Chris Morris
Chris Morris
Former Contributing Writer
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Chris Morris
Chris Morris
Former Contributing Writer
Down Arrow Button Icon
November 2, 2018, 10:29 AM ET

A newborn baby girl in Southern Pines, N.C., has an $11,000 head start toward college, courtesy of KFC, after her parents named her after company founder Colonel Sanders.

Here’s the good news: The publicity stunt didn’t require the child to carry the name “Colonel” with her for the rest of the life.

Anna Pilson and Decker Platt are the proud parents of Harland Rose (who will go by Harley to her friends). The 8-pound, 1-once infant carries the somewhat lesser known first name of Colonel Harland David Sanders, who (like Harley) was born on Sept. 9.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BpjuXQkgWcP/?utm_source=ig_embed

Harland wasn’t originally on the short list of names Anna and Decker were considering, but after hearing about the KFC contest, they gave it some thought. When Anna went into labor on Sept. 8, they made their decision. Harley was born at 12 seconds after midnight on the 9th.

The money is being put into a college fund for Harley by KFC. At an assumed 8% rate of return (compounded annually), it would accumulate to about $44,000 when she’s ready for school.

That’s not exactly enough to cover a full ride, but it’s a good start.

About the Author
By Chris MorrisFormer Contributing Writer

Chris Morris is a former contributing writer at Fortune, covering everything from general business news to the video game and theme park industries.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in

Current price of silver as of Friday, December 5, 2025
Personal Financesilver
Current price of silver as of Friday, December 5, 2025
By Joseph HostetlerDecember 5, 2025
4 minutes ago
Netflix
Big TechNetflix
Netflix lines up $59 billion of debt for Warner Bros. deal
By Natalie Harrison, Janine Panzer and BloombergDecember 5, 2025
10 minutes ago
Sarandos
Arts & EntertainmentMedia
Netflix to buy Warner Bros. in $72 billion cash, stock deal
By Lucas Shaw, Michelle F. Davis and BloombergDecember 5, 2025
15 minutes ago
NewslettersCFO Daily
Gen Z fears AI will upend careers. Can leaders change the narrative?
By Sheryl EstradaDecember 5, 2025
1 hour ago
NewslettersTerm Sheet
Four key questions about OpenAI vs Google—the high-stakes tech matchup of 2026
By Alexei OreskovicDecember 5, 2025
2 hours ago
Personal FinanceSavings accounts
Today’s best high-yield savings account rates on Dec. 5, 2025: Earn up to 5.00% APY
By Glen Luke FlanaganDecember 5, 2025
2 hours ago

Most Popular

placeholder alt text
Economy
Two months into the new fiscal year and the U.S. government is already spending more than $10 billion a week servicing national debt
By Eleanor PringleDecember 4, 2025
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Success
‘Godfather of AI’ says Bill Gates and Elon Musk are right about the future of work—but he predicts mass unemployment is on its way
By Preston ForeDecember 4, 2025
21 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Success
Nearly 4 million new manufacturing jobs are coming to America as boomers retire—but it's the one trade job Gen Z doesn't want
By Emma BurleighDecember 4, 2025
22 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Success
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang admits he works 7 days a week, including holidays, in a constant 'state of anxiety' out of fear of going bankrupt
By Jessica CoacciDecember 4, 2025
21 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
Tariffs and the $38 trillion national debt: Kevin Hassett sees ’big reductions’ in deficit while Scott Bessent sees a ‘shrinking ice cube’
By Nick LichtenbergDecember 4, 2025
20 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Health
Bill Gates decries ‘significant reversal in child deaths’ as nearly 5 million kids will die before they turn 5 this year
By Nick LichtenbergDecember 4, 2025
1 day ago
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.