Marion Kay Seasoning and 99X

I have been asked what information Canada has on Marion Kay items



In 1973 Marion Kay Bill S asked KFC to allow him to blend the spices for KFC chicken. He was NOT given permission from KFC corporation.



By letter dated March 15, 1973, Edward E. Ellis, General Counsel for KFC, advised Marion K. Summers ("Summers"), President of Marion-Kay, that KFC would not grant Marion-Kay permission to sell its seasoning to KFC franchisees for use in the preparation of Original Recipe Kentucky Fried Chicken

(FROM COURT CASE Affidavit).



BUT he was selling it to the Stores the CHS retained when he sold the Franchise to Brown & Massey. CHS retained 4 Area; Canada, Florida, Utah, England. The USA locations which he was selling it to these locations, with CHS approval NOT KFC corporation.



CHS was bringing Marion Kay Seasoning to Canada and it was NOT called 99X at the time in 1974. Marion Kay Seasoning is what the bags were labelled. That were sent to the Canadian and USA locations. That CHS has influence over.



The problem that started to happen was KFC in USA states around, Florida & Utah were having question why the KFC chicken taste difference at some locations.



Marion Kay was suppling up to 235 Locations In Canada and the USA 2 states. KFC New Age Corporation could NOT do anything as it was Approved by CHS to the stores he had ALL say over by contract.



It was when the other locations OWNED by New Age Corporation Brown & Massey started to buy Marion Kay spices and then some asked if they were allowed to buy it from KFC Corporation.



KFC corporation Could ONLY stop the Franchises licensed and under there corporate rules NOT use the Marion Kay Seasoning. They could NOT stop CHS and the Locations outside of there Control.



Marion Kay Seasoning was sold to the Locations CHS approved and recommend they Buy it. The change happens after 1980. When CHS passed on to the Chicken bucket in the sky. NOW New Age Corporation could pressure franchises and the other States to follow the standard set BY KFC Corporation, NOT CHS.



By this point Marion Kay had labelled 99X as a retail product to customers BUT the Seasoning to the 4 Locations outside of the KFC fingers were receiving Marion Kay Seasoning.



There were 2 Different Names at this point. Marion Kay Seasoning & 99X for retail sales.



When Marion Kay lost the court case, they were Ordered to stop selling the Marion Kay Seasoning to the KFC FRANCHISES. and they were forced to change the items in the mix at that time Marion Kay Seasoning was dropped and the 99X was changed. This was agreed between KFC and Marion Kay. To stop the potential of law Suit.



You must understand Marion Kay Bill S was not doing anything wrong when CHS was alive and directing the sales of Marion Kay Seasoning to his locations. BUT now that the court determined that Marion Kay could NOT sell to KFC Franchises, they encompassed ALL KFCs as Franchise even the 4 stated and Areas the CHS had control of.



Marion Kay was only the Season spice blender that had 100% of the recipe as Durkee’s had mixed it ALL in the past for Claudia and CHS, after Harland Jr. passed away and Claudia could not keep up.



The Original item Bill Summers sent out to the KFC in 1973 was called Marion Kay Seasoning NOT NOT 99X. The 99X was only the retail cans being sold to the public.



YES, 99X was forced to change the formula after 1983. Bill Summer had even given statement that he agreed to change the 99X. when Bill S gave the statement it changed he also said “ Marion-Kay maintains that KFC seasoning can be easily duplicated by any competent spice blender”