KFC, the globally recognized fast-food chain, is moving its corporate headquarters from Louisville, Kentucky to Plano, Texas, according to a statement from its parent company, Yum Brands. This relocation is part of a broader strategy by Yum Brands to establish dual headquarters for its major brands. While KFC and Pizza Hut will now be based in Plano, Taco Bell and Habit Burger & Grill will remain headquartered in Irvine, California.
The move will affect around 100 corporate employees, along with dozens of remote workers, who will be required to relocate to Texas and will receive support for the transition. Yum Brands emphasized that the decision reflects a focus on growth and enhanced collaboration across its teams.
“These changes position us for sustainable growth and will help us better serve our customers, employees, franchisees, and shareholders,” said David Gibbs, CEO of Yum Brands. The company also expressed hope that having two headquarters would foster greater cooperation between its brands.
Despite the shift in headquarters, Yum Brands has stated that it will continue to maintain its corporate offices and the KFC Foundation in Louisville, preserving its long-standing connection to the city.
The relocation comes amid a growing trend of companies moving their operations to Texas, drawn by the state’s lower taxes and business-friendly policies. In recent years, Texas has become a popular destination for corporations seeking favorable conditions for growth and expansion.
Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky has publicly criticized KFC’s decision to leave the state, calling it “disappointing” and expressing that the company’s founder, Colonel Harland Sanders, would likely feel the same. “This company’s name starts with Kentucky, and it has marketed our state’s heritage and culture in the sale of its product,” Beshear stated in a response to the move.
KFC’s history in Kentucky dates back to the 1930s, when Sanders began selling fried chicken from a service station in Corbin, Kentucky. Today, Sanders’ image is iconic, featured on the storefronts of over 24,000 KFC restaurants in more than 145 countries and territories worldwide.
Since the pandemic, many U.S. companies have relocated their headquarters, with Texas emerging as a leading destination. According to real estate services firm CBRE, cities such as Austin have benefited from the state’s favorable environment for business.
