KFC Makes the Move: From Kentucky to Texas

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KFC is relocating its corporate headquarters from Kentucky to Texas as part of broader changes within Yum Brands, which owns the fast-food chain formerly known as Kentucky Fried Chicken.

In a move announced by Yum Brands, the office will be shifted from Louisville in Kentucky to Plano in Texas. However, KFC intends to retain some operations in Kentucky, including its foundation. The decision has been met with disappointment from Andy Beshear, the governor of Kentucky. “I am disappointed by this decision and believe the company’s founder would be too,” he stated.

The relocation is part of Yum Brands’ strategy to have two headquarters for its main brands. According to plans, KFC and Pizza Hut will be based in Plano while Taco Bell and Habit Burger & Grill will remain in Irvine, California.

David Gibbs, the CEO of Yum Brands, explained that these changes are intended to position the company for sustainable growth and better serve customers, employees, franchisees, and shareholders. However, Beshear contested this decision by arguing that KFC’s name has always been associated with Kentucky and its heritage.

KFC’s roots in the state can be traced back to the 1930s when founder Colonel Harland Sanders began selling fried chicken from a service station in Corbin. Today, Sanders’ face adorns more than 24,000 KFC restaurants across over 145 countries and territories worldwide.

In recent years, many US companies have relocated to Texas due to the state’s favorable business environment. According to a report by real estate services firm CBRE, Austin and other Texan cities have been particularly successful in attracting new headquarters.