KFC is moving to Texas, but it hasn’t been called ‘Kentucky’ for years. Here’s why
Yes, Kentucky, the Colonel is taking his secret recipe to Texas.
Yum! Brands, the parent of KFC U.S., announced Feb. 18 the headquarters of the chicken chain founded by Col. Harland Sanders will be leaving Louisville for Texas.
But honestly, when was the last time you referred to the home of “finger-lickin’ good” chicken as Kentucky Fried Chicken?
That went out in 1991. And do you remember why?
Think back to the days of fast food restaurants trying to go healthy and not have food awash in fat and cholesterol — care for a McLean Deluxe? Kentucky Fried Chicken was anything but healthy, and Pepsico’s largest and weakest link of restaurant chains was struggling with declining earnings, higher prices and an evil word in its name — fried.
So, to hold on to its market share, 4.5% of the $70 billion fast-food market at the time, the company made a change. It would forever be known as KFC.
“What we’re really trying to do is contemporize the Kentucky Fried Chicken image,” President of Kentucky Fried Chicken USA Kyle Craig said in March 1991. “As opposed to America’s favorite fried chicken restaurant, we’re trying to become America’s favorite chicken restaurant.”
Part of that change included healthy options including grilled chicken and skinless fried chicken on the bone. The Colonel also got an updated look, going from brown to blue.
At the time, restaurant analysts said the design and name switch would boost the company’s image, particularly by dropping the word “fried,” which many considered an unhealthy way to cook.
The relocation to Texas by Yum! Brands, which Pepsico spun off in 1997, is a move to help keep the company growing. Today, KFC has more than 30,000 restaurants in 150 countries and is considered the second-largest restaurant chain in the world, behind only McDonald’s.
“These changes position us for sustainable growth and will help us better serve our customers, employees, franchisees and shareholders,” said David Gibbs, Yum! Brands Chief Executive Officer.
“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.”
This story was originally published February 19, 2025 at 1:04 PM.
