KFC, the fast food chain formerly known as Kentucky Fried Chicken, announced plans to relocate its corporate headquarters from Louisville, Kentucky, to Plano, Texas. The move will involve approximately 100 employees and is expected to take place within the next six months, with additional remote workers relocating over the next 18 months.
- KFC moving headquarters from Kentucky to Texas.
- Yum! Brands relocating about 100 employees.
- Kentucky officials express disappointment over move.
- Yum! Brands aims for greater collaboration.
- KFC's founder started the brand in Kentucky.
- Social media users joke about rebranding.
The decision to move KFC’s headquarters comes from Yum! Brands, which aims to foster better collaboration among its various brands, including Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. The relocation will see about 100 employees transition to Texas, with support for their move. An additional 90 remote workers are also expected to join them or relocate to other Yum! Brands offices over the next year and a half.
Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky expressed his disappointment, stating that the company’s founder would likely feel the same. He emphasized KFC’s strong connection to Kentucky’s heritage, as the brand has historically marketed itself as part of the state’s culture. Louisville’s mayor also voiced his concerns, noting the brand’s deep roots in the region.
Yum! Brands has indicated that the move is a strategic decision to position the company for sustainable growth. The relocation will result in two corporate headquarters: one in Texas and another in California. David Gibbs, the CEO, stated that bringing employees together will enhance the company’s culture and competitive edge.
Despite the headquarters move, Yum! Brands and the KFC Foundation will maintain offices in Louisville. The trend of companies relocating to Texas has been growing, driven by the state’s favorable corporate tax environment. Notably, Elon Musk moved Tesla’s headquarters to Austin in 2021, citing similar reasons.
The relocation of KFC’s headquarters marks a significant shift for the brand, which has strong historical ties to Kentucky. As the company transitions to Texas, it aims to enhance collaboration and growth while maintaining a presence in its original home state.
