Texas Governor Greg Abbott has suggested Kentucky Fried Chicken should change its name to Texas Fried Chicken, after KFC announced it is moving its U.S. headquarters to the Lone Star State.
Newsweek contacted Yum! Brands, KFC’s parent company, for comment on Thursday outside of regular office hours.
Why It Matters
Multiple major corporations have moved their corporate headquarters to Texas, attracted by the Republican controlled state’s low taxes and business friendly policies. These include investment company Charles Schwab Corporation, energy firm Chevron and Elon Musk companies X, formerly Twitter, and SpaceX. Now KFC has moved there, despite its brand’s ties to Kentucky.
What To Know
On Wednesday Abbott shared a New York Times story on X about KFC’s announcement that it would be relocating its headquarters to his state.
In an apparent joke the governor added: “Kentucky Fried Chicken is leaving Kentucky & moving to Texas. Welcome to Texas, Colonel & company. Many hungry Texans appreciate your move.
Kentucky Fried Chicken is leaving Kentucky & moving to Texas.Welcome to Texas, Colonel & company.Many hungry Texans appreciate your move.Now, and hear me out, any chance you would consider a name like Texas Fried Chicken or TFC?It’s a great brand https://t.co/nYKqi9DayO
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) February 19, 2025
“Now, and hear me out, any chance you would consider a name like Texas Fried Chicken or TFC? It’s a great brand.”
Yum! Brands revealed KFC would move its corporate headquarters from Louisville in Kentucky to Plano, Texas, on Tuesday.
The shift will mean 100 employees relocating to the new headquarters over the coming six months, with another 90 workers making the move over the next 18 months. However, KFC will keep a corporate office in Louisville and plans to open a new flagship restaurant in the city.
Texas has recorded solid economic growth over the past decade, with an analysis by Realtor.com predicting it will become the most populous state in the Union by 2045.
The suggestion that KFC change its name to Texas Fried Chicken was earlier made by Louisville Councilman Anthony Piagentini. In a post on X he said: “If KFC doesn’t give a c*** about us I don’t know why we should reciprocate. Call it Texas Fried Chicken and make it official.”
KFC opened its first restaurant in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1952. It was founded by Colonel Harland Sanders, who initially sold his fried chicken by the side of the road. In 2024 the company claimed its number of restaurants across the globe had passed 30,000.
What People Are Saying
In a statement sent to Newsweek, dated February 18, Yum! Brands said: “Yum! Brands announced today its plans to designate two brand headquarters in the U.S., located in Plano, Texas, and Irvine, California, to foster greater collaboration among brands and employees.
“This strategic decision will involve relocating KFC U.S. corporate office employees currently in Louisville, Kentucky, to the KFC and Pizza Hut Global headquarters in Plano, Texas. In addition, U.S.-based remote employees will be asked to relocate to the campus where their work happens.”
David Gibbs, Yum! Brands’ chief executive officer, commented: “These changes position us for sustainable growth and will help us better serve our customers, employees, franchisees and shareholders.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear condemned KFC’s move to Texas during an interview with The Associated Press, saying: “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.”
What Happens Next
Abbott’s comments reflect his confidence as the Texan economy continues to boom and attract companies from other states. However they risk offending politicians in Kentucky, another Republican controlled state, who have spoken out against KFC’s move.
The post Greg Abbott Wants KFC To Become ‘Texas Fried Chicken’ appeared first on Newsweek.
