‘Texas Fried Chicken’: KFC headquarters moves from Kentucky to Texas

• Kentucky Fried Chicken is relocating its U.S. corporate headquarters from Louisville, Kentucky, to Plano, Texas. About 100 corporate employees will move within six months, with 90 remote workers transitioning over 18 months.

• Yum! Brands cited the move as a way to enhance collaboration among its brands, with KFC joining Pizza Hut’s global headquarters in Plano.

• Despite the relocation, KFC will maintain offices in Louisville, fund a $1 million endowment at the University of Louisville and open a flagship restaurant in the city.

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Kentucky Fried Chicken is relocating its U.S. corporate headquarters from Louisville, Kentucky, to Plano, Texas, according to a press release from its parent company, Yum! Brands. The move will see about 100 corporate employees make the transition over the next six months.

A push for greater collaboration

Yum Brands said the decision aims to foster greater collaboration among its brands, including Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and Habit Burger Grill. The KFC team will join the KFC and Pizza Hut headquarters already based in Plano.

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Additionally, around 90 remote employees will relocate. Yum! Brands has pledged relocation and transition support for all affected staff.

“These changes position us for sustainable growth and will help us better serve our customers, employees, franchisees and shareholders.” 

– David Gibbs, Yum! Brands CEO

Texas welcomes the “Colonel & company”

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, R, welcomed KFC’s move on social media, posting on X, “Welcome to Texas, Colonel and company. Many hungry Texans appreciate your move. Now, and hear me out, any chance you would consider a name like Texas Fried Chicken or TFC?”

Kentucky Fried Chicken is leaving Kentucky & moving to Texas.

Welcome to Texas, Colonel & company.

Many hungry Texans appreciate your move.

Now, and hear me out, any chance you would consider a name like Texas Fried Chicken or TFC?

It’s a great brand https://t.co/nYKqi9DayO

— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) February 19, 2025

Honoring the company’s Kentucky roots

Despite the relocation, KFC will maintain a strong presence in Kentucky. Yum! Brands and the KFC Foundation will keep offices in Louisville, and have committed a $1 million endowment to the College of Business at the University of Louisville. The endowment will fund scholarships.

KFC also plans to open a first-of-its-kind flagship restaurant in Louisville, celebrating its deep-rooted history.

Founded more than 75 years ago by Harland Sanders, better known as “The Colonel,” KFC began in 1930 when Sanders opened a roadside motel in Corbin, Kentucky, serving his famous Southern-style fried chicken to travelers.