Michelle ThompsonKFC, previously known as Kentucky Fried Chicken, is relocating its corporate headquarters from Kentucky to Texas, as announced by its parent company, Yum Brands. The office will move from Louisville to Plano, although some operations, including the KFC Foundation, will remain in Kentucky.
Governor Andy Beshear expressed disappointment, stating that the company’s founder would likely feel the same. In recent years, many companies have moved to Texas, drawn by the state’s lower taxes and business-friendly environment. Yum Brands’ decision is part of a strategy to establish dual headquarters for its key brands, with KFC and Pizza Hut in Plano, while Taco Bell and Habit Burger & Grill will stay in Irvine, California.
Yum Brands CEO David Gibbs noted that the move would foster sustainable growth and improve service to customers, employees, franchisees, and shareholders. However, Beshear emphasized that KFC’s identity is tied to Kentucky, highlighting the company’s promotion of the state’s culture and heritage.
KFC’s roots in Kentucky date back to the 1930s when founder Colonel Harland Sanders first sold fried chicken at a Corbin service station. Today, Sanders’ image is featured on the fronts of over 24,000 KFC locations worldwide.
Since the pandemic, many US companies have shifted their headquarters, with Texas cities, particularly Austin, benefiting from the state’s business-friendly policies, according to CBRE’s real estate report.
