AI-assisted summary
• KFC and Pizza Hut employees will report to a new headquarters in Plano, Texas.
• Taco Bell and Habit Burger & Grill will remain headquartered in Irvine, California.
• Louisville, Kentucky, leaders expressed disappointment but are optimistic Yum! Brands will continue its partnership with the community.

Kentucky Fried Chicken is about to leave its spiritual and physical home after its owner, Yum! Brands, said it will be leaving Kentucky.

In a news release from the company on Tuesday, Yum! Brands said it will create two new brand headquarters in Plano, Texas, and Irvine, California.

The famed chicken brand will not be the only property of Yum! Brands affected. Employees for Pizza Hut will also report to Plano alongside KFC employees. Corporate employees for Taco Bell and Habit Burger & Grill will remain headquartered in Irvine.

“These changes position us for sustainable growth and will help us better serve our customers, employees, franchisees and shareholders,” David Gibbs, Yum! Brands CEO said in a statement. “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.” 

‘Disappointed,’ local Louisville leaders speak out

According to the release, 100 KFC corporate employees will relocate to Texas over the next six months, with another 90 remote workers doing the same over the next year and a half.

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In a statement to the Cincinnati Enquirer, part of the USA TODAY Network, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said the move is disappointing.

“I am disappointed to learn that Yum! Brands will move its KFC employees to Texas — especially since the brand was born here and is synonymous with Kentucky,” Greenberg said.

Sarah Davasher-Wisdom, president and CEO of Greater Louisville Inc., the region's chamber of commerce, also shared her thoughts.

“KFC is a Greater Louisville homegrown company that has become one of the largest restaurant chains in the world over the last 90 years,” she told the Enquirer. “While GLI is disappointed to see the relocation of some employees from our region, we are optimistic that Yum! will continue its long-standing partnership with our community.

Some bad news, some good

Despite the news, Yum! Brands said it would be retaining the KFC Foundation and Yum! Brands corporate offices in Louisville. The company also said it would be announcing a $1 million endowment to the College of Business at the University of Louisville.

“I’ve asked to meet with the Yum! CEO soon and am heartened Yum! will retain its corporate headquarters and 560 employees here. I will work tirelessly with Yum!’s leadership to continue growing its presence in Louisville,” Greenberg continued.

Contributing: Olivia Evans - The Cincinnati Enquirer

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.