KFC, the fast food chain previously known as Kentucky Fried Chicken, is facing backlash for moving its corporate headquarters from the state after which it is named to Texas.
Yum! Brands, the chain’s parent company, is moving about 100 employees from its office in Louisville, Kentucky, more than 800 miles south-west to the city of Plano in Texas, where the group’s Pizza Hut chain is headquartered.
Yum! Brands said its “strategic decision”would allow it to “foster greater collaboration among brands and employees”.
The governor of Kentucky, Andy Beshear, said in statement: “I am disappointed by this decision and believe the company’s founder would be, too.
“This company’s name starts with Kentucky, and it has marketed our state’s heritage and culture in the sale of its product.”
The employees are expected to move in the next six months and will receive relocation support. An extra 90 remote workers will be expected to move to Texas or other Yum! Brands’ corporate offices during the coming 18 months.
David Gibbs, Yum! Brands’ chief executive officer, said: “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 maximise our unrivalled culture and talent as a competitive advantage.”
