KFC Flies the Coop: Moves Headquarters from Kentucky to Texas

In a significant corporate move, Yum Brands has announced the relocation of KFC's headquarters from Kentucky to Texas, stirring disappointment from local officials. While some operations will remain in Kentucky, including the KFC Foundation, the majority of corporate functions will be based in Plano. Kentucky's Governor Andy Beshear expressed sadness over the decision, highlighting KFC’s long-standing ties to the state founded by Colonel Harland Sanders in the 1930s. Yum's CEO noted the change aims to drive sustainable growth as many companies are drawn to Texas’s favorable business climate.

KFC, the fast-food giant renowned worldwide, has officially moved its corporate headquarters from its historical home in Kentucky to Texas, as part of Yum Brands' larger strategic realignment. The switch to Plano is designed to capitalize on the state’s favorable tax and business conditions while still maintaining a footprint in Kentucky for certain operational aspects like the KFC Foundation. This decision evoked a sense of loss from local leaders, especially Governor Andy Beshear, as KFC symbolizes a significant part of Kentucky's cultural identity since its inception by Colonel Sanders in the 1930s. The trend of corporations moving to Texas has been rising, with cities like Austin notably appealing to businesses post-pandemic, according to real estate experts.