KFC, the fast food chain once known as Kentucky Fried Chicken, is leaving the state where it was founded.
Yum Brands, the parent company of KFC, announced that the chicken chain's corporate headquarters will relocate from Kentucky to Texas. The move will bring KFC under the same roof as Pizza Hut, another Yum brand, in Plano, a suburb of Dallas.
This marks a significant shift for the 95-year-old company, which was founded in 1930 at a small motel in Corbin, Kentucky, by Colonel Harland Sanders. Today, KFC operates 30,000 restaurants in 150 countries, making it one of the most recognized fast-food chains globally.
The relocation is part of Yum's broader restructuring plans, which include consolidating its U.S. headquarters for all its brands, including Taco Bell and Habit Burger. The company said the move will "foster greater collaboration among brands and employees," according to a press release.
Keeping 'Kentucky' in KFC
Despite the relocation, KFC is not entirely severing its ties with Kentucky. The company plans to build a new "first-of-its-kind flagship restaurant" in Louisville, Kentucky, the city where KFC's original headquarters was located.
The announcement of the move has drawn criticism from Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, who expressed disappointment in the decision. In a statement to CNN, Beshear said he believed Colonel Sanders, "the company's founder, would be, too." The governor also noted that KFC's name and branding have long been tied to Kentucky's heritage and culture.
KFC's U.S. business has faced challenges in recent years, including a 5% drop in same-store sales. Competitors such as Popeyes, Wingstop, and Raising Cane's have gained ground among consumers. To address these struggles, KFC has been experimenting with new concepts, including a restaurant focused on chicken tenders and sauces. Additionally, Yum recently announced that Taco Bell's president will take over as KFC's new CEO next month.
Around 100 employees from KFC's Louisville office will relocate to Texas over the next six months, with another 90 remote employees also moving to the new headquarters. The move follows a broader trend of companies relocating to Texas, drawn by tax incentives and business-friendly policies. Companies such as Chevron, Tesla, SpaceX, and Hewlett-Packard have all made similar moves in recent years.
The post KFC Bolting From Longtime Home Of Kentucky For Texas — Here's Why appeared first on Wide Open Country.