Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), part of Yum! Brands, is moving its U.S. corporate headquarters from Louisville, Kentucky, to Plano, Texas.
The announcement was made Tuesday as part of Yum! Brands’ strategy to establish two new brand headquarters in Plano, Texas, and Irvine, California.
Under the new structure, KFC and Pizza Hut employees will be based in Plano, while Taco Bell and Habit Burger & Grill will remain in Irvine. Yum! Brands cited the move as an effort to enhance collaboration among its brands and employees.
The relocation will impact 100 KFC U.S. corporate employees and an additional 90 remote workers, who will be expected to transition to the new locations within the next 18 months.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg expressed disappointment over the move, emphasizing the brand’s deep ties to Kentucky’s heritage.
Despite the relocation, Yum! Brands will retain its corporate headquarters and 560 employees in Louisville. The company also announced a $1 million endowment to the University of Louisville’s College of Business.
Sarah Davasher-Wisdom, President and CEO of Greater Louisville Inc., acknowledged the disappointment but remained optimistic about the company's future engagement in the region.
“KFC is a homegrown company that has become one of the world’s largest restaurant chains. While we regret the relocation of some employees, we are confident Yum! Brands will continue its long-standing partnership with Louisville.”
KFC will also maintain a strong brand presence in Louisville with plans to build a flagship restaurant in the city.
Yum! Brands CEO David Gibbs emphasized that the move aims to position the company for sustainable growth and strengthen its competitive edge.
“Bringing more of our people together will maximize our culture and talent, helping us better serve our customers, employees, franchisees, and shareholders.”
(Source: Louisville Courier Journal)
