Texas Has Taken the ‘Kentucky’ Out of KFC—Here’s What That Means

PLANO, Texas (KPEL News) - It’s official: Kentucky Fried Chicken is no longer based in Kentucky. After nearly a century of calling the Bluegrass State home, KFC’s U.S. headquarters is packing up its famous 11 herbs and spices and heading south to Texas.

In a move that some might say is akin to heresy in the fried chicken world, Yum! Brands announced this week that KFC’s U.S. corporate office is relocating from Louisville to Plano, Texas—home to the global headquarters of KFC and Pizza Hut.

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That means the brand built on Kentucky pride will now operate from the land of brisket, barbecue, and Whataburger. It took nearly 70 years, but Texas has finally succeeded in taking the “Kentucky” out of KFC.

Why the Move?

According to Yum! Brands CEO David Gibbs, the decision to shift KFC’s U.S. corporate offices to Texas is all about "fostering greater collaboration" and "maximizing competitive advantages." The company believes consolidating operations in Plano will position the brand for stronger growth, even as KFC struggles to keep up with Popeyes and Chick-fil-A in the chicken wars.

"Bringing more of our people together on a consistent basis will maximize our unrivaled culture and talent as a competitive advantage," Gibbs said in a statement.

In other words, Louisville just wasn’t cutting it anymore.

What Happens to KFC in Kentucky?

Despite the move, Yum! Brands isn’t cutting all ties with Kentucky. The company is leaving behind a reduced corporate presence in Louisville and is even throwing in a $1 million endowment to the University of Louisville’s College of Business. Additionally, KFC plans to build a "first-of-its-kind" flagship restaurant in Louisville, though details on what makes it unique remain unclear.

This gesture might soften the blow, but for Kentuckians, losing the KFC headquarters feels a little like New Orleans losing the Saints—unthinkable.

Texas Wins Another One

Texas has a long history of poaching businesses from other states—just ask California. Now, it can add KFC’s headquarters to its growing list of corporate conquests.

Plano, already home to Pizza Hut and Dr Pepper, is becoming something of a fast-food capital. And while Texas has plenty of pride in its own fried chicken (looking at you, Raising Cane’s), landing KFC’s U.S. operations is a serious flex.

But let’s be honest: Texas doesn’t do "Kentucky" fried anything. If KFC really wants to thrive in the Lone Star State, it might have to tweak the menu. Maybe a mesquite-smoked, Texas-style crispy chicken? A brisket and biscuit combo? If nothing else, someone at corporate better make sure they know how to pronounce “y’all” properly.

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A Bigger Battle Ahead

KFC’s relocation comes at a critical time. In Q4 of 2024, KFC’s same-store sales dropped 5%, while competitor Popeyes saw a slight increase. The brand is searching for a way to reinvigorate its U.S. market, and executives seem to think a Texas reboot could be the answer.

Meanwhile, competitors like Chick-fil-A, Raising Cane’s, and Bojangles are all expanding aggressively. KFC has been a fried chicken heavyweight for decades, but with shifting consumer tastes and an ultra-competitive market, the brand needs a serious comeback.

Will moving to Texas be the secret ingredient to KFC’s revival? Or will the fried chicken chain lose more of its identity in the process?

One thing’s for sure—when it comes to corporate relocations, Texas just keeps winning.