Yum! Brands, the parent company of Kentucky Fried Chicken, has announced a major shift in its corporate structure, moving the KFC U.S. corporate office from Louisville, Kentucky, to Plano, Texas. This decision is part of Yum! Brands’ broader plan to establish two new brand headquarters in the United States—one in Plano and another in Irvine, California.
Impact on Employees and Operations
The relocation will affect approximately 100 KFC U.S. corporate employees, many of whom are currently based in Louisville. Additionally, 90 remote workers will be asked to move to either the Plano or Irvine campus within the next 18 months.
According to Yum! Brands, the move is designed “to foster greater collaboration among brands and employees.” Employees of KFC and Pizza Hut will report to the Plano headquarters, while Taco Bell and Habit Burger & Grill will remain in Irvine.
Mixed Reactions from Local Officials
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg expressed disappointment at the decision, stating, “I am disappointed to learn that Yum! Brands will move its KFC employees to Texas — especially since the brand was born here and is synonymous with Kentucky. I’ve asked to meet with the Yum! CEO soon and am heartened Yum! will retain its corporate headquarters and 560 employees here. I will work tirelessly with Yum!’s leadership to continue growing its presence in Louisville.”
Continued Commitment to Louisville
Despite the move, Yum! Brands has confirmed that its corporate headquarters and the KFC Foundation will remain in Louisville. Additionally, the company has announced a $1 million endowment to the College of Business at the University of Louisville.
Sarah Davasher-Wisdom, president and CEO of Greater Louisville Inc., the regional chamber of commerce, acknowledged the disappointment but remained optimistic about Yum!’s future involvement in the community. “KFC is a Greater Louisville homegrown company that has become one of the largest restaurant chains in the world over the last 90 years. While GLI is disappointed to see the relocation of some employees from our region, we are optimistic that Yum! will continue its long-standing partnership with our community and that Greater Louisville will continue to be part of the company’s long success story.”
Future of KFC in Louisville
Yum! Brands emphasized that KFC would continue to have a significant presence in Louisville. The company has plans to build a “first-of-its-kind flagship restaurant” in the city.
David Gibbs, Yum! Brands’ chief executive officer, stated, “These changes position us for sustainable growth and will help us better serve our customers, employees, franchisees, and shareholders. Ultimately, bringing more of our people together on a consistent basis will maximize our unrivaled culture and talent as a competitive advantage. I’m confident this is another important step in growing our iconic restaurant brands globally.”
