Shelbyville Specialty for Sale - Shelby County
THE CLAUDIA SANDERS DINNER HOUSE & BLACKWOOD HALL
Historic Real Estate, Restaurant Business & Intellectual Property Offering
Sealed Bids Due July 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET
Few properties in America offer the combination of history, hospitality, real estate, tourism, intellectual property, and brand recognition found at the Claudia Sanders Dinner House and Blackwood Hall.
Located in Shelbyville, Kentucky, this extraordinary offering includes the historic restaurant business, approximately 3 acres of commercial real estate, Blackwood Hall, furniture, fixtures and equipment, intellectual property, trademarks, goodwill, and the opportunity to become the next steward of one of Kentucky's most recognized hospitality landmarks.
Kentucky has produced many influential figures throughout its history, but few have had a greater impact on the Commonwealth than Colonel Harland Sanders. Through his entrepreneurial vision, relentless work ethic, and commitment to quality, Colonel Sanders built Kentucky Fried Chicken into one of the most recognized brands in the world while serving as an ambassador for Kentucky on a global stage.
Less widely known, but equally important, was Claudia Sanders. Her influence helped shape the final and most successful chapter of the Colonel's life and career. Together, they created a legacy that continues to attract visitors from around the world.
The property itself occupies a unique place in American restaurant history.
Prior to the sale of Kentucky Fried Chicken in 1964, the site served as the headquarters of Kentucky Fried Chicken and was the operational center from which Colonel Sanders managed and expanded the growing franchise system. Franchise operators traveled to Shelbyville to learn directly from the Colonel, making this one of the most important surviving locations associated with the development of the modern restaurant franchise model.
Adjacent to the restaurant sits Blackwood Hall, the former residence of Colonel and Claudia Sanders. For approximately twenty-five years, the home served as their primary residence while Colonel Sanders traveled the world promoting both Kentucky Fried Chicken and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Franchisees often stayed at the home itself while learning directly from the Colonel, studying cooking techniques, quality standards, operations, and hospitality. In many respects, Blackwood Hall became the classroom where the culture and standards of Kentucky Fried Chicken were passed directly from the founder to the people entrusted with carrying the brand forward.
The residence predates the Sanders family and carries its own unique history. Originally owned by the Saunders family, the home was given the name "Blackwood Hall" by the owner's daughter, who believed it resembled an estate described in a Nancy Drew novel of the same name. The name has remained with the property ever since.
Following the sale of Kentucky Fried Chicken, Colonel and Claudia Sanders established the Claudia Sanders Dinner House, creating a new chapter in their hospitality legacy. The restaurant became an extension of the values and traditions that made the Colonel famous, allowing the Sanders family to continue welcoming guests long after the sale of the KFC brand.
On August 1, 1974, Colonel and Claudia Sanders sold both the restaurant business and Blackwood Hall to Tommy and Cherry Settle, longtime friends who have carefully preserved and operated the property for more than fifty years. The Settle family continues to reside in Blackwood Hall today and has served as stewards of both the business and its remarkable history.
In 1999, a devastating fire destroyed much of the restaurant. Rather than allowing this Kentucky landmark to disappear, the facility was rebuilt and modernized, preserving its identity while creating the restaurant and event complex that operates today.
The current facility encompasses approximately 25,000 square feet and includes:
• Kentucky Room (Main Dining Room) – Seating for approximately 155 guests
• Saddlebred Room – Seating for approximately 54 guests
• Thoroughbred Room – Seating for approximately 60 guests
• Colonel's Quarters Event Facility – Seating for approximately 430 guests
• Gift Shop
• Commercial Kitchen Facilities
• Second-Floor Lounge & Balcony
• Multiple Private Dining and Event Spaces
• Extensive Parking
Combined indoor seating capacity approaches 700 guests, making the property one of the largest restaurant and banquet facilities in the region.
Today, the Claudia Sanders Dinner House continues to welcome thousands of guests annually and remains deeply woven into Kentucky's hospitality and tourism landscape. Holiday events remain a major draw, with approximately 2,500 guests served on Easter and nearly 2,900 guests on Mother's Day in 2026 alone.
Included in the offering are:
• Claudia Sanders Dinner House Restaurant Business
• Blackwood Hall
• Commercial Real Estate
• Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment
• Gift Shop Operations
• Intellectual Property
• Trademark Rights
• Brand Goodwill
• Operating Assets and Business Infrastructure
For investors, operators, hospitality groups, tourism organizations, and entrepreneurs, the opportunity extends far beyond current operations.
The business currently operates with limited marketing and a modest social media presence, creating significant opportunities for growth. Expansion opportunities may include enhanced event programming, strategic tourism partnerships, expanded merchandising, a revitalized bar program, licensing opportunities, branded food products, hospitality collaborations, and future brand development initiatives.
Blackwood Hall itself presents a variety of potential future uses, including:
• Boutique Museum
• Luxury Airbnb or Inn
• Bed & Breakfast
• Executive Retreat
• Private Event Venue
• Bourbon Tourism Experience
• Fine Dining Concept
• Hospitality Destination
Few offerings combine a globally recognized story, operating business, intellectual property, historic real estate, and future development potential in a single acquisition.
This is more than a restaurant.
It is a Kentucky landmark, a living piece of American business history, and a rare opportunity to become the next steward of one of the Commonwealth's most recognizable hospitality brands and destinations.
