Leon Weston "Pete" Harman (born 1919) is best known for having struck a deal with Colonel Harland Sanders to open the first KFC franchise. Located in Salt Lake City, Utah it opened for business in August 1952.
Harman was born in 1919 in Salt Lake City, Utah to David Reese (1874–1924) and Grace May (1879–1919) Hemenway. Harman was the youngest of 14 children in a Mormon family including La Conaus, David Vernon (World War I soldier for the US army) (1900–1980), Kenneth Hemenway(1902–1965), triplets Margery, Velma Lavon (1904–1993), & Bruce, twins Ralph Julius (1906–1973) & Carolin (born 1906), Amy Hemenway (born 1907), Maurice, Eliza May (born 1910), George Reese (1912–1976), & John (born 1916).
Harman and his wife, Arline, opened their first restaurant, The Do Drop Inn, with two employees in 1941.
Harman worked with Harlan Sanders to develop and prepare the KFC system for franchising, working to develop training manuals and product guides. His other claims to fame are the development of the bucket packaging and the emphasis on the "Finger-lickin' good" motto.
In 1990 the International Foodservice Manufacturer Association recognized Harman's achievements with its Gold Plate Award. At the time of the award the Harman Management Corp. of Los Altos, California, employs over 4,000 people and operates 238 KFC stores in four states. Credit for his success was given to his enlightened practices towards his staff including stock purchase schemes.
His original KFC building was demolished in 2004 to make way for a museum and an updated restaurant.