KFC headquarters move, PLANO, Texas — KFC, the global fast-food chain synonymous with Kentucky’s cultural heritage, is moving its U.S. corporate headquarters from Louisville to Plano, Texas, parent company Yum Brands announced Tuesday. The decision ends the brand’s 90-year physical tie to the state where Colonel Harland Sanders first sold fried chicken from a gas station in the 1930s.
The relocation is part of a broader restructuring by Yum Brands, which owns KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and Habit Burger. While Pizza Hut will join KFC in Plano, Taco Bell and Habit Burger operations remain in Irvine, California. The KFC Foundation and select teams will stay in Kentucky, but the corporate shift marks a symbolic rupture for a brand that once branded itself Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Why Texas?
Texas has become a magnet for corporate relocations, drawing firms like Tesla, Hewlett Packard, and Oracle since 2020. Analysts cite the state’s lack of income tax, lower operating costs, and flexible regulations as key drivers. Commercial real estate in Plano, for example, averages 23persquarefootcomparedto33 in Louisville, according to 2023 CBRE data.
“This move positions us for sustainable growth,” Yum Brands CEO David Gibbs said in a statement. “Aligning KFC and Pizza Hut under one hub improves collaboration
while maintaining Taco Bell’s West Coast presence.”
Backlash in Kentucky
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear criticized the decision, framing it as a betrayal of the state’s legacy. “This company’s name starts with Kentucky,” he said. “Colonel Sanders built this brand here, and I suspect he’d oppose abandoning our community.”
Louisville officials have not yet detailed the economic impact, but the move raises concerns about job losses and reduced local investment. Yum Brands has not specified how many roles will relocate or be cut.
A Brand Built on Place
KFC’s identity is deeply tied to Kentucky. Colonel Sanders began selling chicken seasoned with his “11 herbs and spices” in Corbin in 1930, later franchising the recipe nationwide. The brand’s imagery—from Sanders’ face on logos to its original name—has long leveraged Kentucky’s association with Southern cuisine.
“Texas makes fiscal sense, but KFC risks diluting its story,” said Lisa Chen, a restaurant industry analyst at Bernstein Group. “Consumers connect the brand to Kentucky’s history. Relocating the HQ isn’t just a logistical change—it’s a narrative shift.”
The Bigger Picture
KFC joins a wave of companies rethinking headquarters locations post-pandemic. Remote work has reduced the need for centralized offices, while states like Texas and Florida lure firms with tax incentives. Over 20% of U.S. companies relocated HQs in 2022, per IRS data, with Texas ranking as the top destination.
Critics argue such moves prioritize short-term savings over community ties. “Corporations talk about values, but this is purely transactional,” said University of Kentucky economist Mark Jacobs. “States like Kentucky invest in infrastructure and education, only to lose anchor businesses to rivals with lower taxes.”
What’s Next?
Yum Brands aims to complete the relocation by late 2024. Kentucky lawmakers may propose tax reforms or incentives to retain other employers, but the state faces stiff competition from Texas’ pro-business policies.
For KFC, the challenge is twofold: cutting costs while convincing customers its Texas address won’t alter the product. The company confirmed the iconic fried chicken recipe will remain unchanged.
