AKFCF Summer 2022

QUARTERLY

Association of Kentucky Fried Chicken Franchisees, Inc.

PLUS: GAC Report | Shirley Topmiller | Legal Update

Summer 2022

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CONTENTS

AKFCF QUARTERLY SUMMER 2022

20

24

38

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

20 By Amber Peoples

4

From the Editor

6

President’s Report

GAC Report: Don’t Sit On The Sidelines With new challenges for franchisees emerging constantly, it is more important than ever to make relationships with Members of Congress and ensure that business-friendly Members have the interests of AKFCF top of mind.

24

Celebrating The KFC Foundation’s Biggest REACH Grant Award Year Yet! In April, the KFC Foundation was proud to announce $2 million+ in REACH Educational Grants were being awarded to 631 KFC restaurant employees — our biggest award year ever!

38

‘An Incredible Journey Of Respect And Care’

10 NCAC Report 12 In the News 46

KFC Foundation

48

RSCS Member Programs

50 Communications Committee 52 Regional Short 53 Executive Director Update

By Cory Sekine-Pettite

54 Legal Update By Ron Gardner

Shirley Topmiller reveals what it was like to work for the most iconic man in American foodservice history.

56 Looking Back

On the Cover: KFC Foundation’s REACH Scholars This year, the Foundation was able to increase all REACH Grant award amounts by $1,000 and add an exciting and invaluable mentorship opportunity for all recipients. Read about the grant awardees on page 24.

2

AKFCF Quarterly Summer 2022

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY

PEPSI and the Pepsi Globe are registered trademarks of PepsiCo, Inc.

FROM THE EDITOR

QUARTERLY Official Publication of the Association of Kentucky Fried Chicken Franchisees AKFCF QUARTERLY MISSION STATEMENT

OUR HERITAGE AND NEW BEGINNINGS

By Michelle Hunt

A

s most of you know, I’m a lifer with photographic proof that I met the Colonel as a child. This business is all I know and has provided a wonderful life for my family and me. This issue parallels how I see my life now — a lot of heritage and new beginnings.

If you read my last column, you knew I had quite the eventful four weeks in May and early June. Our youngest, Gavin, graduated from high school and is preparing now to move into college. Our oldest, Davis, graduated from Iowa State University with a professional Bachelor of Architecture degree and began working for a great firm the week after graduation. He’s already done some incredible work for them. Then on June 4, he and his stunning bride, Natasha, got married in a beautiful ceremony in southern Iowa. These new beginnings are such a blessing.

The KFC Foundation has blessed so many of our employees beyond measure.

This year, they awarded our employees over $2 million in REACH Educational Grants!

They continue to provide Rise with GEDWorks, an avenue for employees to earn their GEDs; the KFC Family Fund, which helps employees with hardship and crises; access to the MyChange platform, equipping employees with financial know-how; Kentucky Fried Wishes, which is currently making the wishes of our local non-profits come true; and a partnership with Crisis Text Line to provide a text-based option for mental health support and crisis intervention. Thanks to our KFC Foundation for everything they do to support our employees. On page 24, you can read the list of this year’s 631 REACH Educational Grant recipients and some other special recognition.

The idea for the next feature article was brought to us by one of our AKFCF members and turned out so great! Talk about insider information; this is all about the Colonel and his administrative assistant from 1972 to the end of 1980, Shirley Topmiller. The stories bring back our heritage and a glimpse of the iconic man that was the Colonel.

The story begins on page 38. That short dive into our heritage abruptly brings us back to our present, which includes a changing of the guard at KFC U.S. In just a few short days (it’s July 8 as I write this), Tarun Lal takes the helm of the Brand, and becomes our next partner. He has big shoes to fill, left by Kevin Hochman, but we are confident that we can continue the strong partnership we have developed with the leadership team.

I’m looking forward to all the new beginnings we have in our future while never forgetting the heritage that got us where we are today.

Warmest Regards,

4

AKFCF Quarterly Summer 2022

The AKFCF Quarterly is the voice of today’s franchisee family and supports the mission of the Association of Kentucky Fried Chicken Franchisees, Inc.

AKFCF EDITORIAL TEAM

AKFCF President Editor Assistant Editor AKFCF Administrative Manager Communications Chair Executive Director Past President

Keith Cole Michelle Hunt Julie Mantlo Michelle Hunt Kevin Schlutz Kelly Rodenberg Brandon Robertson

The AKFCF Quarterly (ISSN 1071-9873) is published by the Association of Kentucky Fried Chicken Franchisees for its members and their friends. AKFCF is the independent Association of Kentucky Fried Chicken Franchisees.

FRANCHISEE EDITORS:

Michelle Hunt 14812 N Avenue, Columbus Junction, IA 52738 Phone: (319) 728-3282 Fax: (319) 728-2940 michelle.hunt@akfcf.com Julie Mantlo 855 Lovers Lane, Suite 111, Bowling Green, KY 42103 Phone: (270) 783-8880 julie@rogmancorp.com

Zaira Guevara (International Liaison) 7750 NW 46TH Street PTY 1495 Doral, FL 33166 Phone: (305) 384-4242 (U.S.) (011) 506 2208-7828 (Direct) zguevara@caribla.com

Copyright ©2022 AKFCF, Inc. All rights reserved. Articles may be quoted with credit to the source. Information in the AKFCF Quarterly (ISSN 1071-9873) represents the views of the authors and unless noted otherwise does not necessarily reflect the policies or position of AKFCF, Inc. Acceptance of paid advertising does not imply endorsement by the Association, or approval of the advertiser or its product or service by KFC Corporation.

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FROM THE PRESIDENT

ALIGNMENT OF PURPOSE

By Keith Cole

T

oday is May 18th. I am saying this, so when you read this article, you will know when it was written. One of the challenges of writing for the AKFCF Quarterly is the deadline is typically weeks from the actual printing. Sorry if I spoiled the illusion for you.

Two days ago, Kevin Hochman surprised us all with the announcement that he was leaving his position as KFCC president. Kevin has been a true partner for the system and we will miss his leadership. What a great tenure he has had with KFCC, starting with his days in marketing, and really making a name for himself by helping others to succeed. During his presidency, I personally saw tremendous success and I wish him and his family prosperity in their next endeavor.

Many of you may be concerned about the future of our partnership with the brand.

Here is what we need to remember: We have an alignment of purpose that has been taking hold for some time. The growth and the sense of togetherness we have seen over the last few years is no accident. Our franchisor knows very well that their success is aligned with our success, every step of the way. The rest of the leadership team for KFCC remains intact.

They know the importance of this partnership as much as we do.

Dyke Shipp will be acting interim president while a search is conducted for Kevin’s replacement. Dyke has been with Yum! since 2006, and the thing that should make us all breathe a sigh of relief is his position as chief people officer for KFC Global. He is the person responsible for identifying talent in people. He knows how valuable Kevin was to our success and he wants to keep that going.

While he is acting president, I am sure he will do a great job.

More importantly, Dyke will help to ensure whoever is chosen to be Kevin’s long-term replacement understands the power of a strong franchisor/franchisee relationship.

As I prepare for my first board meeting as AKFCF president in San Antonio, Texas, I decided to invite KFCC COO, Monica Rothgery, to speak to the board via Zoom on May 27. Monica, along with Education Chair Matt Hansen and Justin Stewart, will present the new vision from Monica’s team concerning Accuracy and getting back to the basics of service. This is something we can all benefit from and we must find the proper way to bring this training to our restaurant management teams. The vehicle for doing that remains undecided, but we have an alignment of purpose.

The growth and the sense of togetherness we have seen over the last few years is no accident. Our franchisor knows very well that their success is aligned with our success, every step of the way.

6

AKFCF Quarterly Summer 2022

At our board meeting, we have “regional spotlights” on the agenda to discuss issues concerning regional meetings and the possibility of combining those meetings in some way. How we will do that has yet to be decided, but we have an alignment of purpose.

Our NCAC is working with our new CMO Nick Chavez and the “Good vs Finger Lickin’ Good” campaign is in the early stages. I am excited and optimistic about this campaign, and our overall vision of bringing in younger customers. We don’t know when we will see a younger customer begin to trust KFC as a more reliable late-night option, but we have alignment of purpose.

The best teams can withstand a key member leaving; that’s a fact. It’s called “next man up.” You build people capability behind you, so that when you leave, the team moves forward. I have faith that, although a key member of our team has moved on, we are set up to continue our success.

We all know by now we are facing some serious economic head winds that will challenge us in ways we have never seen before.

We will undoubtedly have to face those challenges with both caution and courage.

But we will have the best minds in the brand working on when to be cautious and when to be courageous.

We have a strong alignment of purpose as a brand. From the corporation to the AKFCF, from the NCAC to the RSCS, all serving the needs of our teams in our restaurants across the country. Serving quality food, in a clean restaurant, quickly and with friendly service and gratitude.

Our success will continue! Now, read this article in June or July, then call me at 570.760.8630 around December, to tell me how right I was. n

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NCAC REPORT

THIS SUMMER IS HOT AT KFC!

By Tom Broome, NCAC Vice Chair

H

appy summer! I don’t know about all of you, but I am excited for the warmer weather, longer days, family time, and seeing more and more customers visiting our restaurants and using our app and kfc.com site to make KFC part of their lives.

By the time you read this, our Jack Harlow Meal will have hit our restaurants and his fans will now know even more reasons as to why he loves KFC. We will have new advertising creative with Harlow as the star and news-driving PR activities. We should have a lot of new and repeat customers visiting our restaurants to enjoy his meal in special packaging — KFC’s Spicy Chicken Sandwich, Mac and Cheese, Secret Recipe Fries, ranch dressing and lemonade — or whatever their favorite KFC meal may be. The country is seeing (and hopefully buying and tasting for themselves) just how hot, fresh, and delicious our sandwich is. We will continue to promote our Sides Lovers meals, including offering customers “Finger Sporks” (while

10 AKFCF Quarterly Summer 2022

supplies last). When you have “Finger Lickin’ Good” food and you’re known for sporks, why not create a fun way to promote our Sides Lovers meals? We should see a lot of KFC in the news with the Harlow Meal and Finger Sporks.

I will admit, before we entered into an agreement with Harlow, I had no idea who he was and most of my fellow NCAC committee members didn’t either, but we knew we needed to do something to expand our reach and our audiences. His song “First Class” is number 1 on the Billboard 100; he has a new album, and he is doing some incredible collaborations with well-known artists such as Pharrell, Drake, Justin Timberlake, and Lil Wayne. He is hot and KFC becomes hotter, too, by partnering with him!

This summer, we also will roll out a customer favorite, Mac and Cheese Bowls, along with promoting a free Beverage Bucket with the purchase of a 12-piece or larger meal. The advertising will continue to show real people enjoying delicious KFC meals, making KFC an option for anyone, especially those expanded audiences we are trying to reach. I have heard a lot of positive feedback about our new advertising and can assure you the NCAC is working hard to make sure your marketing dollars work harder and harder for all of us every day.

At Convention, you heard me talk about test-

ing the “Welcome to the Coop” new hire welcome kits that include an approved uniform t-shirt and hat along with a lapel pin, tumbler, backpack, and a coupon for the employee to get a free family meal. This helped our managers in the hiring and retaining process and we saw great results.

The KFCC HR team is making the kits available for the system to order and purchase by the time you read this. I know with the labor situation as it is, being able to provide new hires this fun kit on day one has helped us welcome new members of our KFC restaurant family. I encourage you to participate. I know for our team, our retention rate increased dramatically and with the approved uniform t-shirt and hat. The kits have paid for themselves!

While 2022 feels like it is flying by and we are starting to experience more “normalcy” as we emerge out of the pandemic, we are continuing to deal with record inflation across the country and many of my fellow operators can attest to facing staffing issues. With our new advertising on broadcast, radio, digital and social platforms

I have heard a lot of positive feedback about our new advertising and can assure you the NCAC is working hard to make sure your marketing dollars work harder and harder for all of us every day.

showcasing people enjoying our world-class food, we will need to do all that we can to deliver on our guests’ expectations of hot and fresh food with service that would make the Colonel proud. We all need to do our best to open our dining rooms and stay open longer. We need to make sure we have hot, fresh food ready for our guests.

I want to close by recognizing and thanking Kevin Hochman for his leadership at KFC for the last eight-plus years. As CMO and then as President, Kevin was a great partner who listened and was never afraid to have the tough, but important, conversations to drive the business forward. I wish him the best — he will be missed. I’m hopeful that the next president will be a leader who engages with franchisees and partner with the NCAC to take the brand even farther up and into the future.

I wish you all a wonderful summer! n

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Summer 2022 AKFCF Quarterly 11

In the NEWS

‘NEXT GENERATION’ KFC OPENS IN LOUISVILLE

K

FCC recently held a grand opening for a new restaurant design it calls Next Generation. The restaurant features a digital-forward design aesthetic.

“Next Generation is focusing more on digital orders,” April Downing, KFCC Market Manager said. “We have designated parking spots for GrubHub, Postmates, KFC.com. Special entrance for online orders as well.”

What that will mean for customers is they can get in and get out faster. The location at 5603 Preston Highway in Louisville is one of only 10 KFCs in the United States to have the Next Generation design. It’s a reaction to the increased demand in online ordering, delivery, and drive-thru.

“COVID hit pretty hard,” Downing said. “This is the route that we’re taking, and we think it’s going to be better for customers.”

From the outside of the building, there’s still the red and white stripes, but with a more modern edge. The chicken, however, is still the same recipe as the one Colonel Harland Sanders introduced back in 1952.

However, there are new partnerships for the chicken restaurant, like the one with another famous Louisvillian who might attract a younger clientele.

“Looking to make a lot of sandwiches, and a lot of Jack Harlow

meals to be sold today,” Keith Burns, general manager said.

The Jack Harlow meal includes a spicy chicken sandwich, fries, macaroni and cheese, a ranch dip cup and lemonade.

Source: Wave3.com

KFC NAMES TARUN LAL PRESIDENT OF U.S. BUSINESS

Y

um! Brands’ KFC Global just named Tarun Lal president of the KFC U.S. business, effective July 15. Lal is replacing Kevin Hochman, who left the company June 3 to become the president and CEO of Brinker International.

Currently, Lal is the managing director of KFC Middle East, Pakistan, Turkey, Africa and India and has been with Yum! Brands since 2000, when he was hired as the

12 AKFCF Quarterly Summer 2022

director of operations at Pizza Hut. Since then, Lal has served in multiple roles at the company, including global COO of KFC, and has mainly worked in international regions.

In his current role, Lal helped KFC across sub-Saharan Africa and unlocked new markets for the brand.

He also is a champion of women’s leadership at Yum! Brands and helped sponsor

talent initiatives like Next-Generation of Women (N.O.W.) for the company.

As U.S. president, he will report to Dyke Shipp, KFC division president, and relocate to the KFC U.S. headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky.

“Tarun has proven to be a best-in-class operator with a strong commercial outlook and approach,” said Shipp. “As he joins the U.S. brand, we are confident he will be met with a similar passion for consistent execution and achieving breakthrough results.”

Source: NRN

KENTUCKY RESTAURANT CREATED BY COLONEL SANDERS FOR SALE restaurant created by KFC founder Harland Sanders for his wife decades ago is for sale.

Claudia Sanders Dinner House in Shelbyville, Kentucky, hit the market in June, news outlets reported, citing a statement from the listing agents describing the nearly 25,000-square-foot restaurant and banquet hall.

The sale of the 3-acre property is being handled by Six Degrees Real Estate and includes the trademark and likeness of the Claudia Sanders name as well as memorabilia from the Sanders family.

Also included is a 5,000-square-foot residence where Harland and Claudia Sanders lived for more than 20 years.

The Claudia Sanders Dinner House opened in 1959 and also served as the first KFC headquarters, but was sold to a local couple years ago.

The listing does not include a sale price. Listing agent Morgan Hancock said that potential buyers will have to sign a non-disclosure agreement and show proof of at least $5 million cash on hand.

“The restaurant has only been owned by the Sanders and their

Photo by Andrew Kung Group

A

close friends, the Settles,” Hancock said in the statement. “The Settles are now committed to finding the next caretaker of this historic brand that will not only fight to maintain its legacy, employees and staple dishes here in this community, but potentially expand the Claudia Sanders brand nationwide.”

Source: The Washington Post

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ulgarian musician and renowned KFC fan Yuliyan Kolev recently won the 2022 World Series of Poker (WSOP) in its new home at Bally’s and Paris Las Vegas. This is the second championship for Kolev.

This event, known as the Millionaire Maker No-Limit Hold’em, is the second consecutive year Kolev has won a champion’s bracelet. His first victory was in 2021, the $777 Lucky 7’s No-Limit Hold’em.

Kolev, known for wearing a KFC bucket on his head, took home a total of $1,125,141.

He beat a field full of previous champions as he outmaneuvered the 7,961 entrants over five days to claim the bulk of the $10-million prize pool.

Kolev was cheered on by his fan base, all of whom were donning upside-down KFC buckets as hats in honor of the popular music artist.

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ocial media is a great place for fast food giants to have a bit of fun. But no matter how cheeky other companies can be, few can own social media the way KFCC did, because the fried chicken giant possibly won the Twitter stakes even before the other fast food companies got started.

In a tweet that was first written in 2017 but which has aged very well, the user revealed “@ KFC follows 11 people. Those 11 people? 5 Spice Girls and 6 guys named Herb. 11 Herbs & Spices. I need time to process this.”

Since then, KFC has stuck to its guns and kept the number of accounts it follows on Twitter at 11: the five Spice Girls and six Twitter-verified folks named Herb. This is, of course, a playful reference to the secret signature KFC spice blend of 11 herbs and spices.

And what of the user that blew the whistle on KFC’s not-so-secret social media move?

Time says his name is Mike Edgette, and the company acknowledged his effort by having a piece of artwork done, which features Edgette being given a piggyback ride by Colonel Sanders himself as they travel through the wilderness. A grateful Edgette shared the artwork on social media, captioning it with “Dreams DO come true,” alongside the hashtag GiddyUpColonel. He also added, “Thanks @kfc.”

Perhaps in a bid to ensure he doesn’t fade into internet obscurity, Edgette’s viral tweet is pinned to the top of his feed, and the image of him riding piggyback on Colonel Sanders is his profile photo.

Source: Mashed

KFC INDIA PARTNERS WITH PEPSICO, LAUNCHES POPCORN NACHOS

K

FC India has launched Popcorn Nachos that brings together its Chicken Popcorn and Doritos Nachos offerings in one meal. The fast-food chain is promoting this limited period offer via an ad featuring filmmaker Karan Johar.

The ad shows Johar comparing KFC’s latest addition to an entertaining Bollywood movie.

Neha Vaziraney, senior brand manager, Lipton & national key accounts – global chains at PepsiCo, posted about the campaign on her LinkedIn profile, “We, at KFC India and PepsiCo, bring you the biggest news. Three most loved brands come together to delight consumers by incubating new age cult offerings from the house of KFC — one of our most cherished partner.”

“The nation wants to know what’s the news. So, we have curated an innovative #KFC #Popcorn & #Doritos Nachos bold offer, with a lot of dynamism … paired most intrinsically with Pepsi to make it more refreshing and fuzzier.”

Added Moksh Chopra, chief marketing officer, KFC India, “A bit of crispy and crunch go a long way in inducing some excitement in

daily routines. And, who better than celebrated artistes Karan Johar and (actor) Srinidhi Shetty, to reinforce the drama in KFC’s Popcorn Nachos, in their signature charismatic styles. With double the crunch and an interesting blend of flavors, drama lovers, let’s KFC!” Source: afaqs.com

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Summer 2022 AKFCF Quarterly 17

SINGLE-TENANT KFC DRIVE-THRU SELLS FOR RECORD-LOW CAP RATE

H

anley Investment Group Real Estate Advisors, a nationally recognized real estate brokerage and advisory firm specializing in the sale of retail properties, announced that the firm, along with Progressive Real Estate Partners, completed the sale of a brand new, single-tenant net-leased investment occupied by KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) located on an outparcel to Cardenas Markets, near the Interstate 215 on/off-ramps in Orange County, California. The sale price was $3,755,000, representing a cap rate of 3.65 percent and $1,706.82 per square foot.

Hanley Investment Group’s Executive Vice President Bill Asher and Vice President Jeff Lefko, along with Progressive Real Estate Partners’ Senior Vice President, Investment Sales Greg Bedell, represented the

18 AKFCF Quarterly Summer 2022

seller, a private partnership from Orange County. The buyer, a local family office from Riverside County, was represented

by Howard Rosenthal and Guy Excell of Rosenthal & Excell Commercial Real Estate in Hemet, California.

“We procured an all-cash 1031 exchange buyer that closed at 100 percent of the listed price shortly after KFC opened for business and started paying rent,” says Asher. “This is a brand-new, 2022-construction with a new absolute triple-net long-term lease guaranteed by RBD California Restaurants, the largest KFC franchisee in Southern California. RBD’s parent company, RBD Restaurants New Zealand, is publicly traded (NZE: RBD). The building is KFC’s new ‘Next Generation Prototype’ that prioritizes a digital-forward and contactless customer

experience and includes a drive-thru and indoor and outdoor seating.”

Bedell comments, “The closing cap rate of 3.65 percent represents a record-low cap rate for a single-tenant KFC in the Inland Empire.”

The 2,200-square-foot KFC building is situated on 1.01 acres at 2560 North Perris Boulevard in Perris in the Cardenas Markets-anchored shopping center, near the Interstate 215 (±103,000 cars per day), between the Nuevo Road (±27,000 cars per day) and Ramona Expressway (±16,000 cars per day) freeway on/off-ramps.

According to Bedell, the shopping center is undergoing major redevelopment. “The former Walmart building behind KFC was recently re-tenanted to include Fitness 19 and WSS (both are open and operating) and Harbor Freight. Other tenants in the shopping center include Dollar Tree, Wells Fargo, Taco Bell, Domino’s, T-Mobile, Gentle Dental and others.”

Known as an industrial hub, Perris has more than 46 million square feet of existing distribution centers (with 13 million square feet planned or under construction), including national companies such as Amazon, The Home Depot, Lowe’s, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Proctor & Gamble, Sketchers, Ross Dress for Less, Walgreens and more.

“The dense industrial activity combined with the property’s location on Perris Boulevard, its proximity to the freeway, synergy with other retailers, and the area’s strong and growing demographics, create the ideal environment for KFC’s long-term success,” noted Asher. Within five miles of the property, there are 126,719 people with an average household income of $72,459.

“The demand for single-tenant netleased retail investments occupied by a successful national credit quick-service restaurant with a drive-thru has been at an unprecedented level, especially in the last 12 months,” Asher notes. “Pricing and cap rates have been at historic levels, and even with the recent spike in interest rates, we expect this to continue for the rest of 2022.”

Source: QSR

Know Your Acronyms In our business, there is a great deal of terminology and jargon. As more processes and systems are added, the acronyms continue to pile up. Thus, AKFCF Quarterly decided it is time for us all to brush up on the many acronyms you will hear in your daily lives and read about in this magazine. Be sure to pass this along to your employees, or post a copy in your offices.

76(5P)

1976(5P) KFC Franchise Agreement

REC

Restaurant Economics Committee

RGM

Restaurant General Manager

RMI

Restaurant Margin Improvement

ROCC Restaurant Operations Compliance Check ROI

Return on Investment

RSC

Restaurant Support Center

RSCS Restaurant Supply Chain Solutions (formerly UFPC)

SBRA Supplier Business Relationship Agreement TOL

Territory Operations Leader

TRP

Targeted Rating Point

VOC Voice of the Customer (formerly CBCC) YUM

Yum! Brands

YRI

Yum! Restaurants International

AKFCF Association of Kentucky Fried Chicken Franchisees ARL

Above Restaurant Leader

ASAP

American Showman Asset Program

AUM

Assistant Unit Manager

BOGO

Buy One Get One

BOH

Back-of-house

BSC

Balanced Scorecard

COB

Chicken on the Bone

COGS

Cost of Goods Sold

DMA

Designated Marketing Area

FA (Or F/A) Franchise Agreement FIT

Food Innovation Team

FSC

Food Safety Consultation

GAC

Government Affairs Committee

HIGHER QUALITY CO2

CO O L E R

BY DESIGN®

IAYF International Association of Yum Franchisees (formerly known as the IAKFCF, International Association of KFC Franchisees) KFCC

Kentucky Fried Chicken Corporation

NAC National Advertising Cooperative (merged with NFAC to become NCAC) NCAC National Council and Advertising Cooperative NFAC National Franchisee Advisory Council merged with NAC to become NCAC) NMS

National Marketing Subcommittee

NPC National Purchasing Cooperative (i.e., KFC NPC) OEC

Operations Excellence Committee

PAC

Political Action Committee

POP

Point of Purchase

POS

Point of Sale

QSR

Quick Serve Restaurant

Chart’s line of Carbo Series bulk CO 2 storage systems

for beverage carbonation are certified to meet NSF International food safety standards. These NSF certified tanks ensure an uninterrupted supply of high quality CO2 gas, eliminating flat drinks and CO2 outages.

Learn more at www.ChartBeverage.com 1-800-247-4446 Your preferred AKFCF bulk CO2 equipment supplier.

Chart_Beverage_NSF_CoolerByDesign_AKFCF.indd 1

5/17/21 11:51 AM

Summer 2022 AKFCF Quarterly 19

GAC Report

20 AKFCF Quarterly Summer 2022

Don’t Sit On The Sidelines Your PAC contributions have a direct impact on legislation affecting small business owners.

By Amber Peoples

W

ith new challenges for franchisees emerging constantly, it is more important than ever to make relationships with Members of Congress and ensure that business-friendly Members have the interests of AKFCF top of mind.

Summer 2022 AKFCF Quarterly 21

This year is not the year to sit on the sidelines! The future of small business and franchisees is directly connected to the time and efforts of your GAC. Your 2022 PAC donation enables the GAC to support business-friendly political candidates and Members of Congress, to ensure that our concerns and issues are voiced and received.

Please make your 2022 AKFCF PAC donation online by visiting our portal on the AKFCF website in the Government Affairs tab.

Or: You can also scan the QR Code above with your phone’s camera, which will direct you to a website to make your contribution.

For more information, please contact your regional GAC representative, Amber Peoples of Polaris Consulting, LLC (apeoples@ polariswdc.com) or Leslie Sharp, AKFCF PAC Treasurer (Lcsharp4133@gmail.com).

Our face-to-face meetings have been put on pause due to the COVID-19 outbreak in recent years, and the relationships previously made with these Representatives and Senators has proven to be even more invaluable.

AKFCF – Political Action Committee (PAC)

The AKFCF created a PAC to make sure our voices are heard in Washington, D.C. The AKFCF Government Affairs Committee and the AKFCF PAC Board of Directors would like to thank the franchisees listed below for their contributions this year to the AKFCF PAC. Each quarter, we list the names of the franchisees who have supported the PAC at time of print as a token of our appreciation. This list is all the latest contributions, broken down by region. We encourage you to please join your fellow franchisees and support your AKFCF PAC. For information on how you can become involved, or if you don’t see your name and should, please contact Leslie Sharp, treasurer of AKFCF GAC/PAC at lcsharp4133@icloud.com.

Greater Midwest Dale Black Joan Bowling Heather Dexter Lesley Hottinger Mohamad Ali Khorshad Mark Lambos James Mayer James McKenzie Diana Myers Vijay Patel Kevin Schlutz Susan Schmidt Douglas Smith Christopher Walker Nanette Walker Robert Widder

22 AKFCF Quarterly Summer 2022

Northeast Ray Aley Cheryl Aley Jeff Bower Tony Cameron Tommy Cecconi Keith Cole Stacey Dion David Evans Frederick Gallant Larry Starkey Northwest Lilellen Buckner Ralph Harman James Jackson Fred Jackson Marvin Jorgensen Cindy Jorgensen

Todd Stewart Chris Vollenhals Southeast Chip Booth John Brown Paul Cantrell Keith Coward Vicki Easter Austin Felker Sandra Felker Eric Felker Michael Fulenwider II Michael Galloway Tim Harris Sherry Houston Dale Moulton Andy Rosen Gurpreet Sandhu

Leslie C. Sharp Madison Shoffner Kelly & Jay Shoffner Carl VanNostrand Richard (Dick) M. West William (Bill) E. West Gary (Steve) S. West Charles (Tim) T. West Southern California Shahid Chaudhry Israel Diaz Patricia McBrayer Lonnie L. Noble Raziel Valiente Southwest Shaheen Ahmed William (Bill) Ford Kelli Spring

Midterms In a midterm election year, it is apparent that new faces will be gracing the halls of the Capitol at the start of the new Congress.

With so many contentious elections in November, every vote and every dollar for each candidate counts. Much of the contributions for these political candidates comes from Political Action Committees (PACs), just like AKFCF PAC. The AKFCF’s Government Affairs Committee (GAC) is a nonpartisan committee who identifies and lobbies political candidates based on their support for our issues, and only give to Members that are worthy of your PAC contributions. As the AKFCF website suggests, the GAC’s primary goal is to “work on behalf of all KFC franchisees in supporting, suggesting, and moving legislation that is a benefit to you and our brand.”

The decision to contribute to a candidate is made regardless of party affiliation, with the knowledge that AKFCF supports the ‘issue’ not the candidate/Member and the AKFCF needs friends on both sides of the aisle to promote policies that are beneficial to its franchisees.

Our face-to-face meetings have been put on pause due to the COVID-19 outbreak in recent years, and the relationships previously

As the AKFCF website suggests, the GAC’s primary goal is to “work on behalf of all KFC franchisees in supporting, suggesting, and moving legislation that is a benefit to you and our brand.”

made with these Representatives and Senators has proven to be even more invaluable.

Your AKFCF GAC was an integral part of several legislative achievements and pandemic relief including: • Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) • Qualified Improvement Property (QIP), Accelerated Depreciation • Joint Employer protections

• Influenced Tax Reform, especially for Small Business • Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) • Harvest Tax Deduction • Repeal of the ACA Individual Mandate Thank you for your support! It takes every franchisee doing their part for the GAC to be successful.

n

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DID YOU KNOW WE SELL EV CHARGING STATIONS? JUST ONE OF THE MANY ITEMS THAT WE CAN SUPPLY IN ADDITION TO ALL OF YOUR LIGHTING: •INTERIOR (INCLUDING GERMICIDAL LIGHTING FOR YOUR KITCHEN), •EXTERIOR & SITE LIGHTING •LIGHTING CONTROLS & SWITCHGEAR! Call Tim Kossbiel at 860.670.3270 Tim.Kossbiel@CapitolLight.com LIGHTING DESIGN SUPPLY LAMP REPLACEMENT LIGHTING & ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE UTILITY REBATE SERVICES SHARED ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN FOR REMODELS WITH NO UPFRONT COST AND MAINTENANCE INCLUDED! See if you Qualify!

www.capitollight.com Summer 2022 AKFCF Quarterly 23

Celebrating The KFC Foundation’s Biggest REACH Grant Award Year Yet!

By KFC Foundation Communication Manager Elizabeth Edrington

I

n April, the KFC Foundation was proud to announce that $2 million+ in REACH Educational Grants were being awarded to 631 KFC restaurant employees — our biggest award year ever!

This year, we were able to increase all REACH Grant award amounts by $1,000 and add an exciting and invaluable mentorship opportunity for all recipients.

These enhancements to the REACH Grant Program are directly related to the amazing teams that rocked the Round Up campaign last fall.

24 AKFCF Quarterly Summer 2022

Round Up also has enabled the Foundation to…

• Offer 24/7 text-based mental health support to your employees by partnering with Crisis Text Line (find our ad in this issue for more info!)

• Increase the number of Kentucky Fried Wishes grants from 11 to 50, making it a total of up to $500,000 going to local non-profits nominated by KFC restaurant teams this fall.

The more money raised through Round Up, the more money we can invest in supporting and empowering your restaurant employees!

Summer 2022 AKFCF Quarterly 25

Congratulations to the 2022 REACH Grant awardees

Thank you to our participating restaurants for making this impactful program possible for KFC restaurant employees across the country.

REACH Winners

Organization

Allie Warth

Crow’s Steak House, Inc.

Paola Gonzalez

Desert De Oro Foods, Inc.

Imaya Toney

1014 Broad St. LLC

Lenisa Dasilva

D.E. Foods

Michaela Trenton

Desert De Oro Foods, Inc.

Keishawn Lyde

1601 S. Irby St. LLC

Thomas Kenn

D.E. Foods

Jaylen Guerrero

Desert De Oro Foods, Inc.

Bernadine Bonhomme

D.E. Foods

Andrew Bletzinger

Dunn & Bowling, Ltd.

Ciarah Jean Baptiste

D.E. Foods

Isaac Niedermier

Dunn & Bowling, Ltd.

Maria Derosas Almonte

A. Cavegn, Inc.

Justin Beebe

Abalar Fast Foods, Inc.

Allison Beebe

Abalar Fast Foods, Inc.

Katasi Jordana

D.E. Foods

Bryce Chevalier

Dunn & Bowling, Ltd.

Ja’Asia King

Abalar Fast Foods, Inc.

Jean Syllien

D.E. Foods

Allison Gilbert

Dunn & Bowling, Ltd.

Lorena Lucas

D.E. Foods

Ryan Martinez

E.A.P. Management Corp.

Izaih Jock

Adirondack Chicken Corp.

Stephanie Howe

AJS

Dwight Hunt

D.E. Foods

Abigail Tate

EAB Ventures, LLC, KFC Festus Series

Dylan Barnes

AJS

William Polan

D.E. Foods

Ethan Gerst

EAB Ventures, LLC, KFC Festus Series

Victoria Jennings

AJS

Amber Schumacher

D.E. Foods

Nathaniel Dinolfo EAB Ventures, LLC, KFC Festus Series

Alanna Roberts

Ampex Brands

Tanvir Siddique

D.E. Foods

Chelsea Wicker EAB Ventures, LLC, KFC Festus Series

Emelia Seibert

Ampex Brands

Ariyana Walcott

D.E. Foods

Emily Ward

Adrianna Nicholson

Ampex Brands

Sabrina Downs

D.E. Foods

Christian Stark EAB Ventures, LLC, KFC Festus Series

Taylor Podob

Ampex Brands

Ashanti Moxam

D.E. Foods

Jake Van Anrooy

EYM Chicken

Keith Koenig

Ampex Brands

Raheem Anderson

D.E. Foods

Jayla Littlejohn

Felker Day, Inc.

Carlin Whalen

Ampex Brands

Edmarie Pena-Garcia

D.E. Foods

Rylee Warner

Fitzpatrick Acquisitions

Elise Johnson

Ampex Brands

Shajada Simon

D.E. Foods

Amanda Wynsma

Fitzpatrick Acquisitions

Ally Costello

Ampex Brands

La-Shauntia Hamilton

D.E. Foods

Jeremy Huggins

Fitzpatrick Acquisitions

Zakareya Qaisi

Ampex Brands

Alexandra Barrios

D.E. Foods

Alexis Start

Fitzpatrick Acquisitions

Benedicta Mbroh

Ampex Brands

Nahalia Davis

D.E. Foods

Eric Donker

Fitzpatrick Acquisitions

Autumn Murphy

Ampex Brands

Alexis Murray

D.E. Foods

Ashley Noorman

Fitzpatrick Acquisitions

Paige Weimer

Ampex Brands

Vanessa Crouse

D.E. Foods

Jared Shafer

Fitzpatrick Acquisitions

Dylan Weisenstein

Ampex Brands

Hailey Bojorquez

D.E. Foods

Aleah McGregor

Nathan Murillo

D.E. Foods

Shanika Moseley

Gianna Paiva

D.E. Foods

Quynton Davis

FMI

Kennedy Morales

Attleboro KFC Corp.

Victoria Garcia

Carol Stream Chicken, Inc.

EAB Ventures, LLC, KFC Festus Series

Five Star, Limited Partnership FLG Chicken, LLC

Abigail Coon

Central Iowa KFC, Inc.

Sky Toh

D.E. Foods

Chase Tallon

FMI

Phillip Clearman

Central Iowa KFC, Inc.

Alicia Kyei

D.E. Foods

Jacqueline Macias

FMI

Nicholas Hoffman

Central Iowa KFC, Inc.

Chelsea Taylor

D.E. Foods

Jolene Dunbar

FMI

Hind Abdelmoula

Central Iowa KFC, Inc.

Rayshawn Duclona

D.E. Foods

Karyssa Rock

FMI

Ashley Gallant

D.E. Foods

Derek Myers

Fried with Pride, Inc.

Dakota Bryant Champion Restaurants - Fiesta, LLC

Amsatou Diagne

D.E. Foods

Reymundo Azucar

Fried with Pride, Inc.

Brooklyn Stevenson

Chicken Champs Inc.

Deane Renfort

D.E. Foods

Ashley Velasco

Fried with Pride, Inc.

Raechel Boes

Chicken Champs Inc.

Emma Massoyan

D.E. Foods

Joseph Cook

Fulenwider Enterprises, Inc.

Kailie Block

Chicken Champs Inc.

Emma Went

Dee Jay’s QSR, Inc.

Emma Garcia

Fulenwider Enterprises, Inc.

Sarah Graham

Chicken Champs Inc.

Taylor Tweedie

Dee Jay’s QSR, Inc.

Julisa Lopez

Fulenwider Enterprises, Inc.

Phillip Graham

Chicken Champs Inc.

Zach Steckly

Dee Jay’s QSR, Inc.

Christie Morilus

Fulenwider Enterprises, Inc.

Sarah Weisz

Chicken Champs Inc.

Joanna Lopez

Desert De Oro Foods, Inc.

Austin Evans

Fulenwider Enterprises, Inc.

Elizabeth Cortez

Champion Restaurants - Fiesta, LLC

Tyler Hall

CLC Idaho, LLC

Maria Moctezuma

Desert De Oro Foods, Inc.

Jakaris Jones

Fulenwider Enterprises, Inc.

Cadence Kyser

CLC Idaho, LLC

Olivia Perez

Desert De Oro Foods, Inc.

Guyptamah Gerard

Fulenwider Enterprises, Inc.

Crow’s Steak House, Inc.

Maria Ayala

Desert De Oro Foods, Inc.

Virgine Timothy

Fulenwider Enterprises, Inc.

Rylee Haggy

26 AKFCF Quarterly Summer 2022

TEXT “FRIES” TO 741741 Tia Tarver and Eddie Brooks

Free, 24/7 text-based mental health support to your restaurant teams

Jesus Ortiz

Tammy Wade

Jakalya Cramer

Pat Carl

THX!

kfcfoundation.org

*Standard message rates apply

Edward Boyer 6 winners

©2022 Kentucky Fried Chicken Foundation, Inc. The Kentucky Fried Chicken Foundation is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization.

Employees must meet eligibility criteria for each program.

Summer 2022 AKFCF Quarterly 27

Jackie Macias and Chase Tallon

Ruth Lopez

Organization

Jason Mushabe

Myrlanda Etienne

Fulenwider Enterprises, Inc.

Skylar Ward

Fulenwider Enterprises, Inc.

REACH Winners

Jennifer Dominguez

Allison Wilhelm

Harman Management

Lorena Fernandez

Harman Management

Elizabeth Gitau

Harman Management

Faith Catlett

Harman Management

Alyssa Flores

Harman Management

Braden Wesenberg

Harman Management

Tayla Price

G. & S. Restaurants, Inc.

Melisa Lanzar

Harman Management

Alejandro Guzman

Harman Management

Damone’ Payne

G. & S. Restaurants, Inc.

Luis Soto Alvarez

Harman Management

Hailey Nesenson

Harman Management

Grace Doole

Gallant, Inc.

Kimberly Zavala

Harman Management

Keandre Weathersby

Harman Management

Veronica Kang

Gallant, Inc.

Alexa Rodriguez Gonzalez

Harman Management

Alondra Soriano

Harman Management

Madison Bosley

Graja, Inc.

Jazmin Coria Lopez

Harman Management

Jayry Chavez

Harman Management

Gerardo Ramirez-Mejia

Harman Management

Marissa Anderson

Harman Management

Lucindo Hernandez

H & S Restaurants, Inc.

Ryan Lui

Harman Management

Brianna Lomeli

Harman Management

Jessica Martinez Vaca

Harman Management

Larry Kwong

Harman Management

Daniel Beglin

Harman Management

Maham Anwar

Harman Management

Thomas Phung

Harman Management

Ioana Faanati

Harman Management

Altina Howard

Harman Management

Mason Hensler

Harman Management

Leslie Garcia

Harman Management

Miguel Leon

Harman Management

Joanna Madrigal Navarro

Harman Management

Chanmany Seevilai

Harman Management

Charity Ruckle

Harman Management

Yesenia Ramirez Contreras

Harman Management

Vincent Gonzales

Harman Management

Jose Garcia

Harman Management

Daniela Gonzalez

Harman Management

Cecilia Fajardo

Harman Management

Rafael Moreno

Harman Management

Alma Hernandez Cruz

Harman Management

Denise Fajardo

Harman Management

Hugh Nguyen

Harman Management

Arianna Anderson

Harman Management

Marahi Lupio

Harman Management

Angelica Salazar

Harman Management

Erica Martinez

Harman Management

Jeilly Menendez

Harman Management

Alondra Luna

Harman Management

Alina Saelee

Harman Management

Jaylynn Vasquez Perez

Harman Management

Bailee Cook

Harman Management

Anahi Anguiano

Harman Management

Zara Smith

Harman Management

Theonora Otero

Harman Management

Elias Reyes

Harman Management

Jeremy Hernandez

Harman Management

Monserrat Briseno

Harman Management

Maria Rojas

Harman Management

Christine Yna Phan

Harman Management

Luis Rocha

Harman Management

Ethan Mesa

Harman Management

Nuho Alefe

Harman Management

Oscar Hernandez

Harman Management

Mariela Contreras

Harman Management

Tatiana Wilkins

Harman Management

Maria Azmat

Harman Management

Apol Medrano

Harman Management

Molli Canada

Harman Management

Sabrina Vazquez

Harman Management

Mauricio Marquez

Harman Management

Rebecca Kjenstad

Harman Management

Clarissa Fagundes

Harman Management

Guadalupe Delgado

Harman Management

Chaemarie La Point

Harman Management

Maria Hernandez Leon

Harman Management

Aliana Cardenas

Harman Management

Abuzar Tanveer

Harman Management

Vanessa Valencia

Harman Management

Gerardo Ortiz Murillo

Harman Management

Evelyn Amphavannasouk

Harman Management

Seng Her

Harman Management

Jasmine Jacobo

Harman Management

Perry Phompong

Harman Management

Brodan King

Harman Management

Andrea Reyes Lopez

Harman Management

Briana Manley

Harman Management

Erica Dominguez

Harman Management

Daisy Gomez Rivera

Harman Management

Alexandria Provencio

Harman Management

Hamda Muktar

Harman Management

28 AKFCF Quarterly Summer 2022

Filter Management Systems

The Gycor Advantage Saves Money. Longer oil life and less oil absorbed into the food means lower costs!

Cleaner. No loose powder with built-in system.

1

Easy to Use. One-step process just put in a new pad each day.

5

Quick Circulation. Only 5 minutes and it’s ready to cook.

step

minutes

Compact. 30-day packaging. Easy to store and track replacement usage.

Versatile. Works with all types of oil including Zero Trans Fat Oil

Gycor International, Ltd. 10216 Werch Drive, Unit 108 Woodridge, IL 60517

(800) 772-0660 FAX (630) 754-8084 www.gycorfilters.com

Lashauntia Hamiton, Raheem Anderson, Edmarie Pena-garcia and Shajada Simon

REACH Winners

Organization

Herbert Benge

Nate Dinolfo

Mikyla Riley

Houston Enterprises, Inc.

Alyssa Shockley

JRN

Caitlynne Burke

Harman Management

Ja’Niiya Obannon

Houston Enterprises, Inc.

Skylah Blue

JRN

Tristan Weech

Harman Management

Wyatt Brooks

Houston Enterprises, Inc.

Mekiya Durr

JRN

Mallory Guest

Harman Management

Martha Mendoza

J. F. Desmond Family LP

Gabriel Conner

JRN

Ashley Curtis

Harman Management

Jazmin Gutierrez

J. F. Desmond Family LP

Jessica Barrow

JRN

Anthony Nielsen

Harman Management

Jacqueline Sanchez

J. F. Desmond Family LP

Bryce Joyner

JRN

Natasha McPherson

Harman Management

Markus Muñoz

J. F. Desmond Family LP

Allyson Sawyers

JRN

Anderson Nguyen

Harman Management

Rami Zwebti

J. F. Desmond Family LP

Keanon Kowalski

Gannett Fisk

Harman Management

Rebecca Hubbard

Parker Sanders

Harman Management

Latoria Toole

Alexus Jolley

Harman Management

Kaden Maloney

Christina Capichioni

K.F.C. Take Home

J.R.S. Restaurant Corp

Ni’Chelle Samuels

K.F.C. Take Home

Jayla Sheckles

J.R.S. Restaurant Corp

Maximiliano Perez

Kazi Foods

Harman Management

Jesse Willett

J.R.S. Restaurant Corp

Desiree Ramirez

Kazi Foods

Chloe Hill

Harman Management

Declan Knecht

Keoni Navarro

Kazi Foods

Chandelor Losee

Harman Management

Alejandra Rodriguez

Joint Heirs Food Corp.

Leighana Marie Lagmay

Kazi Foods

Calli Jordan

Harman Management

Jacqueline Garibay

Joint Heirs Food Corp.

Kyle Santos

Kazi Foods

Kaelah Bowman

Harman Management

Morrison Dobere

Joint Heirs Food Corp.

Genevieve Trent

KBP Foods

Dallin Remund

Harman Management

Savannah Haley

JRN

Jasmine Bryant

KBP Foods

Brianna Gosney

Harman Management

Terrah McPherson

JRN

Lindsey Tang

KBP Foods

Payton Burns

Harman Management

Jaden Taylor

JRN

Genesis Santamaria

KBP Foods

Jamon Jolley

Harman Management

Chijioke Otuonye

JRN

Eric Jackson

KBP Foods

Filia Britton

Harman Management

Cameron Waugh

JRN

Raquel McClure

KBP Foods

Dallin Starr

Harman Management

Breanna Johnson

JRN

Zakira Holland

KBP Foods

Talon Tachiki

Harman Management

William Cox

JRN

Brandolyn Alred

KBP Foods

Bryan Holgate

Harman Management

Samantha Arnold

JRN

Erica Yost

KBP Foods

Kelli Sorensen

Harman Management

William Berger

JRN

Victor Olabiyi

KBP Foods

Brinley Burgon

Harman Management

Edgar Cortez

JRN

Tiffany Zambrano

KBP Foods

Tami Reid

Harman Management

Taylor Summey

JRN

Nicole Rodriguez

KBP Foods

Tristan Inman Hawk’s Food Management Services, Inc.

Allison Wilhelm

JRN

Marcelo Larios

KBP Foods

Melani Da Lomba

Lillian Jackson

JRN

Daisa McGee

KBP Foods KBP Foods

Hope Street KFC, Inc.

J. Hubbard Company, Inc.

J’s Four, Inc.

JEM Management Company

Deisi Velasquez

Houston Enterprises, Inc.

Cameron Peters

JRN

Tayler Newlon

Priya Suarez

Houston Enterprises, Inc.

Samantha Poore

JRN

Jason Bearden

KBP Foods

Keyla Torres Burgos

Houston Enterprises, Inc.

William Roady

JRN

Abigail Kuske

KBP Foods

Michael Vargas

Houston Enterprises, Inc.

Taylor Bolton

JRN

Ruth Justin

KBP Foods

30 AKFCF Quarterly Summer 2022

Organization

Makayla Tolber

KBP Foods

Alana Chadwick

KBP Foods

Chanelle Simon

KBP Foods

Maddie Griffith

KBP Foods

Mikale Walker

KBP Foods

Michelle Martinez-Bonilla

KBP Foods

Wyatt Royer

KBP Foods

Erica Young

KBP Foods

Joshua Spruce

KBP Foods

Kristin Gardner

KBP Foods

Ranses Beltre-Romero

KBP Foods

Emily Hall

KBP Foods

Christiana Pollitt

KBP Foods

Aaliyah Davis

KBP Foods

Shamelia Thompson

KBP Foods

Matthew Meredith

KBP Foods

Karly Stephens

KBP Foods

Selen’A Brown

KBP Foods

Ariyana Joyal

KBP Foods

Shelbi Eller

KBP Foods

Eva Santos Cruz

KBP Foods

Joshua Lambert

KBP Foods

Perla De La Rosa

KBP Foods

Sarah Foster

KBP Foods

Tiffany Burkitt

KBP Foods

Taylor Aspinall

KBP Foods

Kayla Robinson

KBP Foods

Brittany Moran

KBP Foods

Leilani Hooks

KBP Foods

Jordan Decker

KBP Foods

Noah Whited

KBP Foods

REACH Winners

Cedric Arrington

KBP Foods

Emily Castrichini

KBP Foods

Angela Torres

KBP Foods

Liliana Trevino

KBP Foods

Brianna Pledger

KBP Foods

Susana Ramirez

KBP Foods

Charles Rhodes

KBP Foods

Robert Funches

KBP Foods

Bryanna Portis

KBP Foods

Anna Kovarik

KBP Foods

Shelbey Myrick

KBP Foods

Victoria Smith

KBP Foods

Nicole Bonczak

KBP Foods

Grace Distefano

KBP Foods

Muhammad Mukhtar

KBP Foods

Ahmed Menshawi

KBP Foods

Gabriella Cochran

KBP Foods

Vanessa Sharpe

KBP Foods

Simone Beneker

KBP Foods

Ashley Wolford

KBP Foods

Lexi Reger

KBP Foods

Colten Stasny

KBP Foods

Nicholas Collins

KBP Foods

Abigail Griffioen

KBP Foods

Kobe Blanco

KBP Foods

Andrew Hickey

KBP Foods

Caitlin Ostertag

KBP Foods

Seth Ewing

KBP Foods

Amanda Parks

KBP Foods

Summer 2022 AKFCF Quarterly 31

Jose Ramirez and Nathan Barela

Susana Cruz

KFCC

Ieasha Edwards

Mitra QSR

Erica Riolo

KFCC

Monika Khadka

Mitra QSR

Chenille Levy

KFCC

Saugat Lamsal

Mitra QSR

Aidan Gallipoli

Kimsco, Inc.

Osman Hassan

Mitra QSR

KBP Foods

Olivier Jolius

Kimsco, Inc.

Serena Turnmire

Mitra QSR

Michael Marranca

KBP Foods

Alexis Crowe

Kokolas Management Company

Kelsi Pietrzycki

Mitra QSR

Zachary Crowe

KBP Foods

Addison Wenker

Kokolas Management Company

Khamani Gray

Mitra QSR

Jaden Thompson

KBP Foods

Heisen Cabrera

Kotes Foods, LLC

Tammy Wade

Mitra QSR

Ryan Cortes

KBP Foods

Fnu Suhada

Kotes of Third Ave LLC

Susana Cruz

Mitra QSR

Henry Popoteur

KBP Foods

Kortney Cooper

KSK Management, Inc.

Raul Perez

Mitra QSR

Kalyn Jones

Kedis Enterprises, LLC

Danielle Reber

KSK Management, Inc.

Diamond Sherard

Mitra QSR

Sean Mayer

Kedis Enterprises, LLC

Makenzie Wolfe

KSK Management, Inc.

Destiny Njos

Joshua Tovar

Kendall House, Inc.

Kaitlynd Thomas

KSK Management, Inc.

Ivette Chavarria

Jose Tovar Jr.

Kendall House, Inc.

Paden Pasby

L.P. Buller, L.L.C.

Jessie Valdez

Nicholas Zrelak

Kendall House, Inc.

Timothy Ong

Marble USA Inc.

Gabriela Barrientos

Noble Pursuit, LLC

Jaelyn Mohler

Kendall House, Inc.

Yazan Alomar

Marble USA Inc.

Callie Gorder

Noble Pursuit, LLC

Nikolay Korniyenko Kentucky Fried Chicken of Polly’s, Inc.

Joel Mbemba

Marble USA Inc.

Jennifer Martinez Northwest Restaurants, Inc. - Sibert

Sarah Walker Kentucky Fried Chicken of W.E.M., Inc.

Abdul Hakmi

Marble USA Inc.

Eymar Gonzalez Northwest Restaurants, Inc. - Sibert

Cesar Quinones

Marcela Miranda

Marble USA Inc.

Andrea Gaona Northwest Restaurants, Inc. - Sibert

Michelle Estrada

Marble USA Inc.

Grace Lannynd Northwest Restaurants, Inc. - Sibert

Leslie Hernandez

Marble USA Inc.

Enrique Lavin Villanueva

Jesus Felix

Marble USA Inc.

Brandon Gonzalez

Marble USA Inc.

Fatima Fabiola Pavia Garcia

Marble USA Inc.

REACH Winners

Organization

Kailyn Monford

KBP Foods

Amber Lewis

KBP Foods

Melissa Mazurek

KBP Foods

Shane Schaefer

Kentucky Fried Chicken of Woonsocket, Inc.

Jayleen Giron Hernandez

KFC of Taunton

Cassandra Eyma

KFC of Taunton

Marissa Benevides

KFC of Taunton

Emily Velasquez

KFC of Taunton

Dona Bonnie

KFC of Taunton

Shaina Rock

KFC of Taunton

Olivea Doyle

KFC of Taunton

Daniel Domond

KFCC

Modou Boye

KFCC

Katelyn Lopes

KFCC

Massiah Holmes

KFCC

Alexa Figueroa

KFCC

Jose Cabrera

KFCC

32 AKFCF Quarterly Summer 2022

Dshawn Hodge

Callie Hall

Terri Turner

Mike and Teresa, Inc.

Aysia Whalen

Mike and Teresa, Inc.

Hailey O’Donnell

Mike and Teresa, Inc.

Hanna O’Donnell

Mike and Teresa, Inc.

Maddison Hubbell

Mitra QSR

Kaelin Platt

Mitra QSR

Savannah Bohannon

Mitra QSR

Oluwaseun Adeniyi

Mitra QSR

Obinna Chinaka

Mitra QSR

Mohammad S. Jubapa Monte Alto, Inc. Nacnud, Inc.

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Lucas Thompkins

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Ziad Abou-Ghali

Old Bridge KFC, Inc.

Courtney Cook

P2 Restaurants Inc.

Brody England

PAK Foods

Ava Wells

PAK Management

Tomas Hernandez Paris & Potter Management Corp.

Breanna White

Paris & Potter Management Corp.

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Abigail Coon

Sunshine Key

REACH Winners

Organization

Jayla Sheckles

Jaden Taylor

Damian Osorio

RBD

Callie Hall

George Locklear Paris & Potter Management Corp.

STAR BRANDS II, LLC

Vanessa Navarro

RBD

Chasity Yang

Destane Leak

Paris & Potter Management Corp.

Jazmine Vasquez

RBD

Edna Osejo

Stewart Restaurant Group

Dylan Watkins

Paris & Potter Management Corp.

Steven Saunders

Alyssa Urquiza

RBD

Anna Cluff

Stewart Restaurant Group

Caleb Hood

PEAKOPERATIONS, LLC

Brayan Rodriguez

RBD

Kiali Wilkinson

Stewart Restaurant Group

Ulices Nieto

PEAKOPERATIONS, LLC

Jesus Jimenez

RBD

Rowan Peer

Stewart Restaurant Group

Rachel Lightner

Phil Mook Enterprises, Inc.

Lissa Lasso

RBD

Malachi Lawson

Stewart Restaurant Group

Donna Fernandez

Phil Mook Enterprises, Inc.

Vanessa Barnes

RCAP, Inc.

Krystal Vue

Stewart Restaurant Group

Tia Tarver

PMTD Restaurants, LLC

Asher Russell

RCAP, Inc.

Norma Medina

Stewart Restaurant Group

Eddie Brooks

PMTD Restaurants, LLC

Mara Heino

Roubekas Enterprises Inc.

Miguel Rodriguez

Stewart Restaurant Group

Timothy McArthur

PMTD Restaurants, LLC

Janeen Fulkerson

Roubekas Enterprises Inc.

Leticia Cordova

Stewart Restaurant Group

Ariana Silas

PMTD Restaurants, LLC

Samantha Anderson

Roubekas Enterprises Inc.

Jakayla Cramer

Stewart Restaurant Group

Prendiville Investments Corp. III

Mell Philip Cuntapay

Satwinder, Singh

Kendra Schuster

Stewart Restaurant Group

Katherine Vega Lizette Gomez

RBD

James Martin

Satwinder, Singh

Blanche Davies

Stewart Restaurant Group

James Salud

RBD

Caster Shih

Satwinder, Singh

Fareena Kaleel

Stewart Restaurant Group

Diana Martinez

RBD

Abbey Barnes

Satwinder, Singh

Nou Vue

Stewart Restaurant Group

Andrea Pineda

RBD

Anahi Sanchez Salazar

Satwinder, Singh

Ahmad Oatis

Stewart Restaurant Group

Nayeli Ortiz

RBD

Norian Roa

Sayed Food Enterprises, Inc.

Hazem Mohamed

Stewart Restaurant Group

Aaron Alvarado

RBD

Shyloh Hill

SC Food Group, LLC

Ahmed Elanous

Stewart Restaurant Group

Joanna Gomez

RBD

Vincent Delgado

Scottish Food Systems

Herbert Benge

Stewart Restaurant Group

Alyssa Madrid

RBD

Johanna Quezada Salazar

Scottish Food Systems

Sabrina Tinajero

Stewart Restaurant Group

Juan García

RBD

Nakai Lowery

Scottish Food Systems

Nikolas Roman

Stewart Restaurant Group

Jenny Vazquez-Hernandez

RBD

Sunshine Key

Scottish Food Systems

Jorge Benitez Mejia

Stewart Restaurant Group

Maria Zavala

RBD

Jesus Jimenez-Ortiz

Scottish Food Systems

Justin Ramirez

Stewart Restaurant Group

Axel Ujpan

RBD

Emoni Richardson

Scottish Food Systems

Carmelita Bays

Stewart Restaurant Group

Gyselle Arroyo

RBD

Jazmin Faison

Scottish Food Systems

Alexis Lara

Stewart Restaurant Group

Omar Cornejo

RBD

Paige Trosper

Second Gen, Inc.

Yuli Salmeron

Stewart Restaurant Group

Destiny Orellana

RBD

Jessie Guerra

Second Gen, Inc.

Alexander Trujillo

Stewart Restaurant Group

Hailey Sanchez

RBD

Salome Guerra

Second Gen, Inc.

Keziah Cain

Stewart Restaurant Group

Ndya Wilson

RBD

Jose Mendoza

Sharif, Inc.

Caleb Drumm

Stewart Restaurant Group

Destiny Espinoza-Guerrero

RBD

Jessica Zavala

Sims Group

Ruth Lopez

Stewart Restaurant Group

Joseph Lepe

RBD

Jill Van Domelen

Sims Group

Alexis Madercic-Gully

Stewart Restaurant Group

Diego Sanabria

RBD

Evelyn Taylor

Sims Group

Kayden Bingham

Stewart Restaurant Group

34 AKFCF Quarterly Summer 2022

REACH Winners

Organization

Jalen Chappell

Tasty Chick’n

Mamunur Shanto

Value Foodservice LLC

Riley Taylor

Stewart Restaurant Group

Patience Carl

Tasty Chick’n

Jasmine Kaur

Value Foodservice LLC

Andrea Venegas

Stewart Restaurant Group

Kiaya Thornton

Tasty Chick’n

Timothy Clementson

Value Foodservice LLC

Jessica Jimenez Rojas

Stewart Restaurant Group

Brianua McCleary

Tasty Chick’n

Paula Chewy

Value Foodservice LLC

Cody Reis

Stewart Restaurant Group

Kie’Shundria Robinson

Tasty Chick’n

Ghulam Ahmed

Value Foodservice LLC

Matthew Bennett

Stewart Restaurant Group

Diamond Williams

Tasty Chick’n

Quansha Porter

West Quality Foods

Valerie Munoz

Stewart Restaurant Group

Christina Chandler

Tasty Chick’n

Lakaria Pierce

West Quality Foods

Stewart Restaurant Group

James Sanders

Tasty Chick’n

Tommy Dean

West Quality Foods

Stewart Restaurant Group

Breyden White

Tasty Chick’n Tasty Chick’n

Alyssa McDaniel

White, Inc.

Stewart Restaurant Group

B’Ariyon Cosby

White, Inc.

Stewart Restaurant Group

The Chick, Inc.

Haley Davis

Jonathan Lamdaverde

Trinity Jenson

White, Inc.

Stewart Restaurant Group

V & L Drive-In, Inc.

Evan McMillian

Olga Cano-Cano

Jalen Steiner

White, Inc.

Stewart Restaurant Group

V & L Drive-In, Inc.

Tori Holbert

Eric Hernandez

Jonathan Bosworth

Whiteford’s, Inc.

Stewart Restaurant Group

Value Foodservice LLC

Anya Belton

Jimena Reyna-Salgado

Fatematun Nusrat

De’Omini Daniely

Whiteford’s, Inc.

Brittney McCracken

Stewart Restaurant Group

Dana Dixon

Whiteford’s, Inc.

Jessica Tolzien

Stewart Restaurant Group

Kalyn Haney

Whiteford’s, Inc.

Hailey Chasse

Sum, LLC

Jazmine Richardson

Whiteford’s, Inc.

Abigail Matos

Sum, LLC

Vladislav Zuev

T.G.G., Inc.

Nathan Barela Jose Ramirez Yvonne Leyva

Sarah Skoronski

Talmadge Street, Inc.

Kymani Menzie

Value Foodservice LLC

Akeem Richards

Value Foodservice LLC

Shariful Islam

Value Foodservice LLC

Santanna Gibson

Value Foodservice LLC

Fnu Sayeda

Value Foodservice LLC

Tamara Hall

Value Foodservice LLC

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Summer 2022 AKFCF Quarterly 35

Meet Amanda, 2022 Janet L. Kuhn Scholarship winner

Yvonne Leyva

Enrique Lavin Villanueva

Zach Steckly

Ash Bays

Congratulations to the four Rise to REACH recipients!

Meet our four Rise to REACH Guarantee recipients from this year — Carmelita “Ash” Bays, Yvonne Leyva, Enrique Lavin Villanueva, and Zach Steckly. These individuals earned their high school credential through Rise with GEDWorks and are now furthering their education even more through our REACH Grant Program!

Meet Yvonne Leyva Yvonne is an assistant manager at a New Mexico KFC with Stewart Restaurant Group. She earned her high school credential through Rise with GEDWorks in April 2021 (passing all four subject exams in just three months). One year later, she won a REACH Grant!

Yvonne is studying for a business management degree so she can pursue her dreams to be an entrepreneur and run a food truck business. Who doesn’t love a good food truck?! “You guys have helped me in more ways than one,” says Yvonne.

Meet Enrique Villanueva Enrique is a KFC cook of 14+ years with Northwest Restaurants, Inc. in Washington. Enrique’s had an action-packed 2022 so far. He earned his GED in January, applied for the REACH Grant in February and won in April!

“KFC gave me the opportunity to study for my GED — which I just finished — now I would like to go to college and study accounting,” says Enrique.

Meet Zach Steckly Zach is a KFC shift supervisor in Nebraska with Dee Jay’s Corp. He earned his GED through Rise with GEDWorks in February 2021 and won a REACH Grant this spring! He is currently enrolled at Southeast Community College in the Computer Technology program and plans to transfer to a university to study cybersecurity.

“I would love to thank Brian Johnson and my bosses Russ and Teri Ferguson for giving me this opportunity and pushing me to do better — and more importantly for actually believing in me when not a lot of people have,” says Zach.

“They have been my support throughout this journey and I honestly could not thank them enough.”

Meet Ash Bays In August 2021, KFC shift supervisor, Carmelita “Ash”, graduated from our Rise with GEDWorks program. Fast forward to April 2021: Ash received a REACH Grant for college!

“The KFC Foundation has helped me a lot,” says Ash. They provided resources to help me earn my GED after dropping out halfway through my senior year.”

Ash was also the lucky winner of the 2021 GED Grad Raffle, where she won $1,000 from the KFC Foundation!

The GED Grad Raffle and GED Grad of the Year awards are happening again this year. Your employees could have two opportunities to win $1,000 if they earn their GED between Dec. 1, 2021, and Nov. 30, 2022, AND are still employed and in good standing when the winners are selected in December.

36 AKFCF Quarterly Summer 2022

Amanda, shift supervisor with KBP Foods in Ohio, was selected as the sole 2022 Janet L. Kuhn Scholarship winner. This means Amanda’s REACH Grant award amount was DOUBLED, totaling $7,000!

Read Amanda’s winning essay below.

Prompt: Janet L. Kuhn left behind a great legacy of lifelong learning and helping others. What would you like your legacy to be?

How do you plan to make that mark on your community?

My personal legacy is something I do not think about often. However, when given this prompt, I think things I do or try to do on a daily basis would be how others might view my legacy. Like Janet L. Kuhn, I believe my legacy would be similar to hers. Every day I learn something new. I also try to teach someone else something new. Lifelong learning is very important to me. I am a current Bowling Green State University student. I will graduate in December 2022 with a bachelor’s degree. From there, I plan on attending graduate school to study speech language pathology. I would like to work with children, and specifically children on the autism spectrum. There is always something new to learn within this field of work.

From a young age, I took much pride in helping others. My younger brother was diagnosed with autism when he was three years old. I was only eight at the time. However, growing up I always had a special bond with him. People would call me “his person” or even a “second mom.”

My brother is the reason I am going into the speech therapy field. Also, I have had a second job for three years, working with 15 children who are on the autism spectrum.

I provide a therapy called applied behavior analysis. Before working with these amazing children, I thought I was a very patient and helpful person. I like to think I have made much progress and learned so much during my time with them. I would also like to believe I have made an impact on the children and their families as well!

I have worked at KFC for a little over five years now! I have had the opportunity to work at two different locations. I have accomplished becoming a shift manager during this time. Over the years, I have met many amazing people. Since I have become a shift

manager, I feel as if I have taken on a more of a leadership role.

When I am the manager on duty, I mostly have teenagers who are in high school on my shifts. I wanted to specifically talk about them and how they have impacted me. With COVID and just the challenging teen years, many of the high schoolers I work with come to me for many reasons: upset that prom Amanda Parks was canceled, remote schooling, family struggles, to preparing coleslaw! Although I am only 23, such as Janet’s. Lifelong learning and helpI feel as if I have experienced many things ing others is also a passion of mine. I work that they are going through/feeling and can toward bettering myself every day, so that I help provide some guidance for them. I take can also help others be a better them! pride in the fact that they can come to me for anything about work or just life in general. I About the Janet L. Kuhn Scholarship think this is a reason why our KFC location Janet Kuhn, KFC Director of Training Exehas been successful. We were in the “Top cution, passed away suddenly in December Ten” for the year of 2021! We all have an 2016. In response to her passing, a memorial awesome GM and assistant, but I believe it scholarship fund with the KFC Foundation takes an entire team! was created by two generous KFC franchisees I would be thankful to have a legacy and KFCC.

Janet’s 27-year career with the KFC brand began as a restaurant general manager. She worked her way up through the ranks, reaching leadership positions with KFCC in Operations, Restaurant Excellence, and Training.

Throughout her career, Janet remained passionate about helping restaurant teams. She served on the KFC Foundation Board of Directors for eight years. She cared deeply about restaurant employees, her co-workers, and KFC’s customers. She was always willing to go out of her way to help someone.

The Janet L. Kuhn Scholarship provides an opportunity for one REACH Grant recipient per year to DOUBLE their grant money. That means the Janet L. Kuhn Scholarship winner would receive between $6,000 to $8,000 total, including their REACH Grant award!

To be considered for this award, applicants must complete an additional essay during the REACH Grant application process. n

Summer 2022 AKFCF Quarterly 37

As curator of the Col. Harland Sanders Museum at the corporate headquarters, Shirley oversaw the collection of early memorabilia and historical data that tells the KFC story.

‘An Incredible Journey Of Respect And Care’ Shirley Topmiller reveals what it was like to work for the most iconic man in American foodservice history.

38 AKFCF Quarterly Summer 2022

By Cory Sekine-Pettite

E

arlier this year, AKFCF Quarterly was approached by franchisee David Neal. He had a story to share, and boy did we want to hear it! He said he could put us in touch with Shirley Topmiller, who was ready to talk. What about exactly? Well, Topmiller was the Colonel’s administrative assistant from 1972 until the day he passed in December 1980. She has been honoring his legacy ever since, and this publication is honored to share her account of working with the most iconic man in American foodservice history.

KFC Convention, Las Vegas, Nevada, late ‘70’s.

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M

Col. Sanders had skirts made for his wife, Claudia, and Shirley to wear one year at the KFC convention. Shirley continues to wear hers for Foundation check presentations and other KFC events. This was a televised event at Childrens’ Hospital, Jackson, Mississippi.

40 AKFCF Quarterly Summer 2022

any of you have met the Colonel and have shared your favorite memories with us on these very pages (in our annual Service Awards features). The man was a living legend who built a restaurant empire beginning at an age when most people transition into retirement. He started his chicken franchise at 65 and achieved this icon status not only because of the success of Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants and the secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices, but also because of his (and KFC’s) commitment to various charities and community organizations. You knew the Colonel as meticulous, hard-working, considerate, and a man of his word.

You may know that at the early age of 7, the Colonel’s life changed dramatically when his father passed away, leaving behind a widow with three children to raise. His mother was forced to work to

provide for her children, therefore relying on her oldest son to watch and care for the younger kids. This was the beginning of the Colonel’s legacy of a lifetime spent working hard and caring for children.

The Colonel always seemed to find a way to give back, despite his own financial difficulties. Not long after he opened his first restaurant in Corbin, Kentucky, he heard about a nearby orphanage and decided to take those children under his wing.

He knew what it was like to be without a parent and wanted to give those children a sense of belonging.

Stories like this are well known in the franchisee community. But Topmiller had daily access to the Colonel, getting to know the man better than most. Their relationship began the same day she showed up at KFCC for an interview. She quickly earned the man’s respect and never lost it. Here’s her recollection:

As I began walking toward the building, a white limousine pulled up and the Colonel bounded out. “Good morning, little lady, what brings you here this morning?” he asked. “I’m here looking for a job,” I replied, thinking, “Oh, Lord, you work so fast”. He held the door for me, said “good luck to you” and was on his way.

In the early 1970s, I re-entered the job market. It had been 12 years since I had worked outside my home. I chose KFC because of the corporate headquarters building location was very close to my home and my daughters’ school. On the morning of my appointment there, I took time to say a little prayer, asking God to guide me through the experience and to let me know if KFC was the right place for me.

As I began walking toward the building, a white limousine pulled up and the Colonel bounded out. “Good morning, little lady, what brings you here this morning?” he

asked. “I’m here looking for a job,” I replied, thinking, “Oh, Lord, you work so fast”. He held the door for me, said “good luck to you” and was on his way.

After my interview, I was advised there just was not a position open at that time.

Disappointed and wondering if this was the “yes or no” answer I had prayed for, I went on my way, planning dinner and waiting for the girls to come home. But then, the call came from KFC asking me to get back there quickly as possible. I did so and was hired on the spot. Clearly, a job had been made for me, and I took it! A small closet had

Summer 2022 AKFCF Quarterly 41

been enlarged to make room for a planned “steno pool” and I became one of two secretaries who would work for those employees who had been sharing secretarial help and felt their work was often delayed. Weeks later, I gathered courage enough to ask what happened that day I was sent home and then called back. “Oh, the Colonel came looking for you and asking what we had done with you” was the response. (Oh, Lord, you work so fast!).

Working in this position gave me a perfect opportunity to get to know so many

Still On Duty: Putting The Colonel To Rest

When the Colonel passed away in December 1980, Shirley Topmiller and everyone else at KFC headquarters were about as prepared as they could be. She recalls that they had his obituary ready for the newspapers, as well as an in-house binder they referred to as “Phase Two” for the corporation.

“The Colonel didn’t like to talk about dying, even though he visited his monument at Cave Hill Cemetery on a regular basis for twenty years,” Topmiller said. “He had already told us not to close the restaurants, saying ‘I don’t want women to have to cook supper that night just because I died!’

“I had guarded details of the funeral, which I had arranged shortly after the diagnosis of leukemia at age 90,” she continued. “I was intensely concerned that it would become a media circus and was holding a tight rein on the arrangements to the best of my ability, as so many people came out of the woodwork, feeling they should be a part of the service. When the end came, people from all over the world were here for the funeral — corporate giants, franchisees, the children’s choir he funded in Shelbyville, the world press, customers. And Pat Boone honored the Colonel’s request that he sing at the funeral. Every musician seemed to perform at new heights and his beloved ministers became silver-tongued orators, it seemed. I sat near the back of the church, in my own private grief, still ‘on duty.’”

employees and to exhibit my skills. A franchise attorney was one of my best “customers” and in time he cleared a path for me to be transferred to the Franchise Department as secretary to the VP of franchising. In time, John Cox came from Heublein as head of Public Affairs, but wanted to learn the franchising side of the business. He came to the Franchising Department and brought the Colonel with him. This meant the Colonel passed my desk to get into John’s office and while we never spoke of our first encounter, there was a working connection that could not be ignored.

The Colonel could be a tough taskmaster.

He had his own secretary, but the position seemed to be a sort of “revolving door” as applicants came and went. One day, Mr. Cox called me into his office, shut the door, and asked me to take over the Colonel’s work. He pointed out that the job could easily be added to mine if I just took over his travel schedule. I quickly said “No.” He asked for my reasons, of course, and I gave them to him. “Would you tell the Colonel that?” he asked. And I did just that. We all met that afternoon and the Colonel listened and rubbed his chin as I gave him my answer. “Colonel, I said, “I am alone now with two little girls and I need this job. I cannot risk losing it just because you are in a bad mood or something goes wrong with your reservation. I cannot promise that I will be sitting at my desk the very minute you walk into the building and all the other little things that have gone wrong with you and your staff. I just won’t do that.”

He sat there, still rubbing his chin in thought and replied, “Little lady, if you will take this job as John has outlined it, you have my word that you will never lose this job because of me.” And so it was, the rest of his life, never a cross word between us, an incredible journey of respect and care for one another.

H

er confidence and gumption aside, Topmiller had plenty of work experience behind her when she began her career at KFCC. Previously, she had worked for two college presidents and for a local small business, so she had experience dealing with special requests and arrangements when she began working for Colonel Sanders. “At that time, he was the most-recog-

42 AKFCF Quarterly Summer 2022

“Little lady, if you will take this job as John has outlined it, you have my word that you will never lose this job because of me.” And so it was, the rest of his life, never a cross word between us, an incredible journey of respect and care for one another. nized person in the world, according to the Gallop Poll,” Topmiller recalled, “but never once did he ask for a suite at a hotel, or a first-class ticket, and certainly not to have a limousine waiting when he arrived. Most important to him was to get the job done in the best way he could.”

In addition to her previous work experience, clearly the Colonel was impressed with Topmiller’s honesty and courage. Their working relationship would last eight years,

during which Topmiller would review all personal appearance requests, managed the Colonel’s calendar, made all travel arrangements, answered his mail, and stayed alert to possible issues that could interfere with purpose of his travels or reflect poorly on the corporation and Colonel’s image. Additionally, she recalls ordering the Colonel’s famous white suits from his Toronto tailor.

“They were made of white British wool.

They never wore out, but because of fre-

Summer 2022 AKFCF Quarterly 43

With Colonel statue presented by KFC Japan to the museum in Louisville. These statues have been significant in advertising and growing the KFC brand in Japan.

“It was amusing in those early days when calling hotels for reservations and after getting the date and arrival time set, the agent would then ask for name and address of the guest.

When I said ‘Colonel Harland Sanders,’ there might be a pause and then something like ‘He’s coming here?’ or ‘I didn’t know he was real. Is this a joke?’”

44 AKFCF Quarterly Summer 2022

quent dry-cleaning, the white wool would yellow over time and not be as fresh-looking as we wanted,” Topmiller said.

“Because of his heavy travel schedule (250,000 miles/yearly),” she continued, “I also was able to head up consumer affairs, corporate contributions, the Colonel’s Museum and any number of issues that seemed to find their way to my desk.

“It was amusing in those early days when calling hotels for reservations and after getting the date and arrival time set, the agent would then ask for name and address of the guest,” she continued. “When I said ‘Colonel Harland Sanders,’ there might be a pause and then something like ‘He’s coming here?’ or ‘I didn’t know he was real. Is this a joke?’”

Topmiller would come to learn that nearly everyone she met, regardless of their jobs, their socio-economic status, or their own public personas, admired the Colonel and wanted to share in her knowledge of the man and his business. For example, she recalls the day she met George Steinbrenner, the famed owner of the New York Yankees and member of the Heublein Board of Directors.

“It was Kentucky Derby week in Louisville and everyone’s calendar was jampacked with annual parties and events,” she recalled. “I was dressing for a Derby luncheon at the track when the call came.

George Steinbrenner was in town and wanted to tour the museum at KFC headquarters. Since Heublein owned us at the time, I realized this was a command performance, regardless of the fact that I had other plans. I finished dressing and hurried to headquarters. The museum was fairly small, nicely curated, and did a good job of telling the Colonel’s story; it certainly was quite simple and could easily disappoint someone expecting something more grand.

I was curious how this visit would go.

“I had no reason to be concerned, however,” Topmiller continued. “Mr. Steinbrenner arrived on time, was energetic, very gracious, and wanted to hear everything I could tell him about KFC history and the Colonel. Near the end of our visit, he paused and said ‘Do you folks realize what you have here? I sit on boards of companies whose history has never been compiled and protected like this. What you have here is the DNA of a famous company, that tells me people have told the stories through the years, tended to the accuracy, and protected this brand like a family would do. I am just blown away with what I have seen.’”

Topmiller says she has fond memories of that unexpected visit with a man more famous for his temper than his business success at that time, who she says “got” the story of a simple man (the Colonel), who never gave up on his dreams, worked tirelessly for his brand, and became famous around the world. “Thanks to Mr. Steinbrenner, I was okay with missing the luncheon,” she said. “As I turned to lock the doors, our little museum seemed to have a special glow and I decided to leave the lights on to shine through the glass doors.

After all, it was Derby week and George Steinbrenner was in town.”

As remembrances go, that certainly must remain a stand-out. But what of her time with the Colonel? With so many years of experience working for the man, one might expect to find it difficult for Topmiller to have a favorite memory, but surprisingly she does. One afternoon at KFC Headquarters remains prominent, she says. “After his last [leukemia] diagnosis, I worked to keep his calendar as free as possible. He did not like this and would often set out on his own, which worried me until I would hear

from him or Dick Miller, his driver. On this particularly quiet afternoon, he appeared at my office door and said, ‘I thought I would like to see that movie about me that runs in the Museum.’

“I took him down to the Museum, got him all settled, and started the movie,” she continued. “He seemed to want to be alone and after a few minutes, I left. Knowing just how long the movie ran, I watched the clock at my desk and hurried downstairs when I thought it was just about finished. The last few minutes were playing, and I quietly stood back, making a mental picture of our beloved Colonel, alone, watching his life story. He did not know I was in the room when the movie ended, but he took a deep breath and said to himself ‘What a life!’”

What a life, indeed. People the world over still know of Colonel Harland David Sanders, more than 40 years after his passing. He remains an icon. Books have been

written. Movies have been made. And most importantly, he’s still the face (and voice) of KFC. While it certainly has been a privilege for franchisees to continue his legacy, Topmiller says it also was privilege to know the man. “The Colonel indeed was real. He was the ‘real deal’ to anyone privileged to work with him. He spoke of the ‘integrity’ of the spices, the quality of every ‘round’ of chicken, saying, ‘We’re only as good as the last round of chicken we cooked.’ And quality was as important to him on his 90th year as the product he perfected in his Corbin kitchen all those years ago.”

“He never forgot the difficult times,” Topmiller continued, “as the son of a widowed mother, who sewed for neighbors and worked in a canning factory when tomatoes were ripe and local citizens could make extra money for a few weeks. His generosity is legendary and the foundation he began is still pumping out grants for worthy programs.” n

“The Colonel indeed was real. He was the ‘real deal’ to anyone privileged to work with him. He spoke of the ‘integrity’ of the spices, the quality of every ‘round’ of chicken, saying, ‘We’re only as good as the last round of chicken we cooked.’

Summer 2022 AKFCF Quarterly 45

KFC FOUNDATION

KFC FOUNDATION BRINGS MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT TO YOUR TEAMS THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH CRISIS TEXT LINE

By Elizabeth Edrington, KFC Foundation Communication Coordinator

T

he KFC Foundation strives to support and empower KFC restaurant employees at every phase and stage of their lives.

We’re proud to continue this support through our new partnership with Crisis Text Line®, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, which provides free, 24/7 text-based mental health support and crisis intervention — in both English and Spanish.

Everyone — at some point — just needs someone to talk to.

That’s where Crisis Text Line comes in. Members of the KFC Fam-

Crisis Text Line testimonials “I don’t think I would have made it through tonight without you.” — Texter “As I was standing on the ledge, I was texting you guys and you alerted 911… Without you guys, I wouldn’t be here to write this. The text line is truly a life saver.” — Texter “It was enough to change my mind from ending my life. I found out yesterday that I’m almost 5 months pregnant. I literally had no idea. So thank you, you have saved two lives.”

— Texter What is Crisis Text Line?

Crisis Text Line is a non-profit organization that provides free, 24/7 crisis counseling via text message. Their vision is to help create an empathetic world where nobody feels alone. You are their priority.

Crisis Text Line is the nation’s largest text-based crisis service, with over 40,000 volunteer Crisis Counselors in the United States having more than 4 million conversations with people in crisis since their August 2013 launch.

Who are Crisis Counselors?

Crisis Counselors are dedicated, trained, supervised volunteers from around the United States. After a rigorous multi-stage application process, background check, and training program, each commits to

46 AKFCF Quarterly Summer 2022

ily can text “Fries” to 741741 to text confidentially with a compassionate, trained Crisis Counselor anytime, anywhere.

Help us spread the word to your restaurant teams. Tell your HR department, Ops team, Area Coaches, RGMs and restaurant employees about the text-based mental health support available to them. This can be a life-changing and life-saving resource, but it can’t help anyone unless they know it’s there. #FriesChangeLives

volunteering four hours a week until 200 hours are met. Supervisors (staff who all have master’s degrees in a relevant field, or commensurate crisis intervention experience) oversee the Crisis Counselors.

How does it work?

Text “Fries” 741741 when in crisis, available 24/7 in the United States.

The first two responses are automated.

They tell you that you’re being connected with a Crisis Counselor and invite you to share a bit more.

A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the texts and responds quickly.

The Crisis Counselor helps you move from a hot moment to a cool calm, safe place using effective active listening and suggested referrals — all through text message, using Crisis Text Line’s secure platform.

In some cases, the Crisis Counselor will collaborate to help the texter in crisis get help. Less than one percent of conversations result in Crisis Text Line needing to engage emergency services to help ensure the texter’s safety.

The issues shared with Crisis Counselors are often deeply personal and urgent — 68% of texters share something that they have never shared with anyone else.

Are messages with Crisis Text Line confidential?

Yes. Conversation stays between you and your Crisis Counselor unless sharing it with emergency services is necessary for your safety or the safety of others.

Do standard message and data rates apply?

If your cell phone plan is with AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, or Verizon, texts to our short code, 741741 are free of charge. If you have a plan with a different carrier, it works just like texting a friend: standard text message rates apply.

KFC Family Fund is also here to help The KFC Foundation also has the KFC Family Fund to provide financial assistance to KFC restaurant in qualifying hardships or crisis situations, such as a death in the immediate family, medical emergency, house fire, natural disaster, substance abuse treatment, and more.

Employees can apply for the KFC Family Fund via the KFC Foundation mobile app or kfcfoundation.org/family fund. n

The Hard Way

THE HARDWAY

It is comparatively easy to prosper by trickery, the violation of confidence, oppression of the weak … sharp practices, cutting corners — all of those methods that we are so prone to palliate and do as “business shrewdness.”

It is difficult to prosper by the keeping of promises, the deliverance of value in goods, in services and in deeds — and in the meeting of so-called “shrewdness” with sound merit and good ethics.

The easy way is efficacious and speedy — the hard way arduous and long. But, as the clock ticks, the easy way becomes harder and the hard way becomes easier.

And as the calendar records the years, it becomes increasingly evident that the easy way rests haphazardly upon shifting sands, whereas the hard way builds solidly a foundation of confidence that cannot be swept away.

Thus We Builded

®

*Dictionary: Present participle and verbal noun. To fashion or frame according to a systematic plan or by a definite process, to create, to BUILD reputation.

Reprinted by permission of Colonel Sanders, November 1964.

Copyrighted by Harland Sanders, 1973.

RSCS MEMBER PROGRAMS

INTRODUCING OUR *NEW* MEMBER PROGRAMS WEBSITE!

By Tara Morrison

O

There are discounts on cell phone plans, movie tickets, electronics, and more! The newsletter and website both have printable flyers that you can download and distribute to your team members,

48 AKFCF Quarterly Summer 2022

ur goal at Restaurant Supply Chain Solutions is to provide a competitive advantage to our members. Through RSCS Member Programs, we offer discounts on products and services used to run your business, from waste services and pest control to in-store music and security systems.

We’re constantly adding new programs, categories, and vetted suppliers to our service offering.

Our waste and recycling program alone could save you up to $1,000 a month, but RSCS has many additional programs that can help you save money on products and services you already use today. We have negotiated discounted rates for the following: • Cleaning services with Cintas and UniFirst • Cell phone plans with AT&T and Verizon • Prefabricated building services with Fullerton Building Systems • Security systems with SimpliSafe • Office supplies with Office Depot and Staples • Oil management with Restaurant Technologies • Slip-resistant shoes with Shoes for Crews, Skechers, SR Max, and Careismatic • AND SO MUCH MORE! Our entire list of programs can be found on the *NEW* Member Programs website at memberprograms.rscs.com. Using our Member Programs Directory, you can find detailed information on each of the programs we offer, the discounts available, as well as how to sign up through each supplier.

You also can sign up for our email newsletter to receive Member Programs highlights of our various programs, special promos throughout the year, and up-to-date Employee Perks flyers to hang in your restaurants. Our service offering is ever evolving, so join our mailing list by visiting the website or emailing memberprograms@rscs.com.

Employee Perks is a free benefit for our members to offer as a fantastic employee incentive in this current labor market. Using the simple mobile app and registration process, your team members

can start saving money on products and services from a multitude of retailers they may already be using today. There are discounts on cell phone plans, movie tickets, electronics, and more! The newsletter and website both have printable flyers that you can download and distribute to your team members, which includes a QR code so they can quickly register and start saving through Employee Perks!

Our goal is to provide the most value to our operators with these programs and we appreciate your feedback. If there is a product or service that you think would be a great addition to Member Programs, please email us at memberprograms@ rscs.com.

Member Program Spotlight: Waste Quotes – Save up to 30% on your waste services!

With RSCS Waste Services program, you can stop throwing your money in the trash (and reduce your costs up to 30 percent). Pre-pandemic, RSCS had completed a multi-stage RFP, leveraging the volume of the entire Yum! Brands system with some of the largest national waste vendors and waste brokers to ensure the BEST rates are made available to all restaurant locations. By leveraging this large volume, RSCS has established deals in place with five vendors that are available to our members. While some locations are locked in to using a city’s services (called a closed market), most areas have open competition, which means the waste vendors are competing for your business.

To get started, simply send your current waste invoices to Daris.Benton@rscs.com and we will retrieve bids from all five of our waste partners. This is a completely free process and you have nothing to lose — except for dollars off your waste bill. We will make the submitted bids available to you and if you are interested in one of the offers, provide you with a pre-negotiated Operator Agreement that you can simply sign and begin service with the new waste vendor at the reduced cost. Submit your bids today!

Employee Perks: Help employees save on nearly EVERYTHING! Make sure your employees are getting the most out of being a KFC Crew Member by utilizing Employee Perks. Our Employee Perks program offers discounts on products and services from a multitude of popular retailers that can help your team SAVE BIG! One of our most requested discounts is on cell phone plans. We offer discounts at AT&T and Verizon. You and your employees could be saving up to 23 percent on your data plans just by being a KFC employee! We also offer discounts on movie tickets, oil changes, hotel, car rentals, security systems, theme parks, electronics, and so much more!

Visit memberprograms.rscs.com > Employee Perks to download our latest flyer for your restaurants. n

Summer 2022 AKFCF Quarterly 49

COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT

KEEPING YOU INFORMED

By Kevin Schlutz

T

he mission of the AKFCF Communications Committee is to provide multiple channels of relevant, two-way information sharing to unite and advance the interests of its members.

Communications are critical in a fastpaced and changing business environment.

There are so many sources of information today that I can spend the whole morn-

Some of us remember the days of newspapers, magazines, the three network TV channels, and hard-wired telephones. Today, those choices have exploded exponentially, and it would be hard to find any two people who get their news the same way because there are so many different choices available.

50 AKFCF Quarterly Summer 2022

ing just reading all the posts and almost everyone has their own favorites where they receive and use information. Some of us remember the days of newspapers, magazines, the three network TV channels, and hard-wired telephones. Today, those choices have exploded exponentially, and it would be hard to find any two people who get their news the same way because there are so many different choices available.

Your Communications Committee, made up of the regional secretaries, AKFCF staff and GAC chair, is always looking for new and more effective ways to communicate — and especially to get feedback from our members — while maintaining the old standard channels that some still use.

In the last few years, several things have happened that have really expanded our reach. Starting the AKFCF Facebook private group has allowed us a quick and effective way to reach hundreds of our members and ARLs with breaking news, interesting articles, and important updates. I check every morning for new articles to post that would be of interest to our membership.

Having Jason Kunz at Speaking Socially as a partner maintaining that private group, and adding content, has revitalized the page. We have 400 members. If you use Facebook, you should go to the AKFCF Facebook page and ask to join.

Speaking Socially maintaining our AKFCF website has been a tremendous help in providing more up-to-date information to our members. We have recently had Jason making a lot of updates and refinements to the website. Some of the regions also are using him to maintain their websites.

Having one less place to go is a benefit for all of us, or you can link from there to the regional sites that aren’t included within

the AKFCF site. Either way, it’s the one place you can start for anything to do with AKFCF. Another thing that has contributed to the efficiency of our communications is having our General Counsel, Ron Gardner, also act as the General Counsel for the NCAC. Having this synergy has helped with getting out items of importance quickly and in several different ways so that you don’t miss them. If Ron has a message for everyone, it will go on the Facebook page with a text notification, in an email from the AKFCF, in emails from your regional secretaries, and in an email from the NCAC, all within 24 hours. I know sometimes you may think this is overkill, especially if you are on many of those channels, but in this crazy world we all live in, sometimes it takes that many for one to be seen.

Another big improvement that our committee can take no credit for is the KFCStrong Facebook private group, but it’s been a wonderful way for our restaurant teams to express their appreciation, tell everyone of their accomplishments, recognize top performers, ask questions or give best practices, and just feel the togetherness of being a part of this global KFC Family. It is always inspiring every time I scan through the posts. For some of us, the goal is to “like” and encourage as many as possible to give that positive feedback for their achievements. This was so vitally important during the pandemic and continues to be an ever-important way to foster the culture of family in our restaurants.

Also, another improvement is all the communications coming from the KFC Foundation. Emma and Liz have certainly taken their activities to a higher level, and we work with them as appropriate to communicate their activities. How wonderful is all the good they are doing with the Roundup money and other fundraising?

The regional secretaries are working toward utilizing the texting app that the AKFCF has. They are creating different groups such as EC, Board, etc., so that they can send a message to Jason and say which group they want it to go to and when, and he will set it up. Obviously, this would be for short messages or reminders.

Here is a list of current forms of communication that are available to you: 1. The Quarterly magazine and the e-Newsletter 2. AKFCF and Regional websites 3. Email distribution, both from the AKFCF and regional secretaries 4. Social media — AKFCF Facebook page with text alerts 5. Conference calls, Zoom calls, virtual meetings, and webinars 6. The AKFCF app and links to ask questions of your leadership 7. Surveys, in-person meetings, Convention, workshops, and mailings.

As you can see, there are many different communications channels working together to keep us all informed. Thanks for continuing to read and act from the communications channels of our great KFC Family. Please send any suggestions to kevin@centraliowakfc.com n

Summer 2022 AKFCF Quarterly 51

REGIONAL SHORT

NORTHWEST REGION UPDATE

By Shannon Prendiville

T

he Northwest completed our first in-person meeting in April since the pandemic closures cancelled our spring 2020 event. We had an excellent turn-out of participants.

Franchisees, their team members, and our vendor partners gathered in Las Vegas, excited to meet in-person again. Team recognition was number-one on the agenda. We couldn’t wait to recognize our team members as “Super Stars” for all their successes over the last two challenging years. The group enjoyed presentations concentrating on team member enrichment to include areas of technology, personal finance, high-speed performance, delegation, management skills, and personal wellness. We also had informative program updates from the KFC Foundation as well as updates from the KFCC leadership team.

Not only did the event provide a great enrichment program, the group thoroughly enjoyed an evening of dinner, games, prizes, and fun. We played all sorts of casino games; the highlight of the night was the exciting cornhole tournament. Thank you to the Stewart group for organizing and providing the KFC cornhole boards. The lucky winners of the tournament are now owners of these awesome KFC branded boards (pictured). It is safe to say everybody was a winner that night!

We enjoyed a lively event with our vendor partners with many raffle winners and good conversations. It was great to see our vendor friends in person and to meet many new ones. Congratulations to Ecolab as they were presented with the Northwest Vendor of the

NW President Fred Jackson of Graja Inc. and his team of Super Stars.

Kris Stueber of Jem Management and his team of Super Stars.

Chris Basinger of Northwest Restaurants and his team of Super Stars.

52 AKFCF Quarterly Summer 2022

Year Award for their continued support of the Northwest Region.

We now turn our attention to our Fall 2022 meeting scheduled for October 22-28. The Northwest continues the successful partnership with the Southern California Region as we return to Hawaii. We’ll be on the Big Island at the Marriott Waikoloa Beach Resort and Spa. We look forward to finally getting to the Islands after a two-year postponement. It will be great to relax and enjoy the Big Island as we catch up on the latest KFC happenings, lively discussions of best practices, and meet with our vendor partners. Perhaps we will be able to squeeze in a tropical beverage or sunset!

Please find meeting registration and updates, plus regional information, on our website at www.nwkfc.com. n

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR UPDATE

IS IT TIME TO THROW OUT THE OLD CONVENTION PLANNING BOOK?

By Kelly Rodenberg

I

don’t think it is an exaggeration to say that the next few years may be the most critical years ever for the AKFCF Convention.

Think of it this way: After two years of doing whatever was necessary to stay relevant, we once again have our most important asset — in-person events — available to us. But with members having adapted to a new way of learning and interacting with each other over that time, what must our Convention portfolio look like now to meet member needs but also deliver the necessary revenue needed to sustain the Association’s daily operations? The AKFCF Convention and dues income are what keep the Association running.

Inflation has become a common word in everyone’s business and personal lives. It is also hitting the Association hard as we experience increased costs for hotel room nights, food and beverage, entertainment, airfare, AV, etc.

We need to set a new path for member education and interaction through events in the post-pandemic environment. One of AKFCF’s core strategic initiatives is to deliver a successful Convention. So, what that means, and what I would say we should be thinking about, is building a balanced portfolio of offerings while building a balanced budget.

We’re thrilled to be back to in-person events, and we saw a strong response to our 2022 Convention in Orlando — even stronger than before the pandemic. Members want to see each other and spend time together as a community, and we’re thrilled with that. But we’re looking at really building out our portfolio as well because the environment is different; the world isn’t going back to 2019. So, we need to look at conducting activities and programs differently.

We need to adjust the lens, remind ourselves that we may have the “generational glasses” on, and we need to see it and interpret through not just our experience. We need to see it through another lens (RGMs, ARLs, large operators, new members, younger members). We need to create

a generational win/win — work together and create mutual benefit.

For example, we’re looking at sessions, fees, workshops, sponsorships, and the trade show and saying, “Should we really be talking about suchand-such topic again this year, or is there something that’s more urgent, a ‘hot button’ that’s top of mind for franchisees, ARLs, and RGMS as they come out of the pandemic?” How can we help our suppliers get the biggest ROI? It’s like that with every single program that we offer right now. We need to take a holistic look and say, “Is this what’s best in 2023 and beyond? Is the content on point? Is the messaging on point? Is the format accessible to the people who need it?”

In the AKFCF, we tend to be a group that likes to be connected to others.

We don’t compete, so we do a lot of sharing of best practices and our shared challenges, and I think that folks are just yearning for that.

We need to throw out the blueprint for what the annual Convention looked like; for every element that we’re bringing in, we need to examine it to make sure it still makes sense in this moment. From there, we can focus on how we can make the Convention sustainable, profitable, and further attendees’ learning after the Convention ends. It is our “crown jewel” and we want it to shine for years to come. n

What must our Convention portfolio look like now to meet member needs but also deliver the necessary revenue needed to sustain the Association’s daily operations?

Summer 2022 AKFCF Quarterly 53

LEGAL UPDATE

COLLABORATION IN A CRITICAL TIME

By Ron Gardner

I

f you are paying any attention to what is going on in your restaurants, what I am about to tell you will not be surprising — 2022 has been brutal. What we all are colloquially calling “economic headwinds” have turned into a full-force gale and, for some, a hurricane.

First, there has been the long-building pressure on labor inflation. Starting even before the pandemic, the push in some markets for the minimum wage to be increased, followed by the now virtually universal requirement that restaurants offer far above minimum wage to even attract employees (thereby making retention costlier for those employees you have had around for a while), has really come home to roost. Some of that labor pressure also has been driven by the need to increase open hours and longer hours of operation.

This also adds to the dollars you are spending on labor in your restaurant.

What none of us saw forecasted that long ago, however, was the cost of food inflation.

A nearly perfect storm of circumstances has caused chicken prices to skyrocket: the war in Ukraine and its impact on grain exports from that part of the world; the horrendous weather in Brazil and the effect that has had on grain exports from that part of the world; the dramatic shift in customer preferences toward more chicken in their diets,

increasing demand for our key ingredient; an increasing number of competitors offering chicken products, placing even further demand on chicken supply; and, the desire by growers to maximize the weight of each bird grown in these circumstances, to increase their revenue and profits (thereby putting a strain on the spec used within KFC).

Between the work that was done at the RSCS and at the Brand in December 2021, we were advised that we would see some spike in the cost of chicken in 2022. Many of you have adjusted prices (some, multiple times) to account for this change. These price increases have eased the burden, at least somewhat, of the sudden and dramatic rise in the cost of goods in your restaurants.

The good news is that current forecasts have chicken prices peaking sometime in Period 9 of this year before they fall back slightly for the remainder of the year. That means the pressure you are feeling on the price of this core product should be almost over. Of course, we have no visibility in any predictions for 2023 yet, so whether that trend continues downward, stays flat, or, worst-case scenario, goes back up again, is anybody’s guess. Caution dictates that we assume this pressure will be around for the next 12-18 months — until we have any

Everyone understands the challenges, and the combined team of franchisee and franchisor leaders are moving swiftly to help you deal with this unprecedented pressure at the restaurant level.

54 AKFCF Quarterly Summer 2022

different information.

As I mentioned above, with the price increases that many of you have taken, you have been able to combat a lot of this inflationary pressure. But there is no question that margins and cash flow are being squeezed. Further, our data suggests that those of you in markets with lower household incomes (a big chunk of the KFC system) are being hit disproportionally hard with these “headwinds.” While sales are essentially flat, all of that comes from pricing. And, as consumer inflation increases all over the economy, you may be near a point where raising prices is no longer an option. The solution in that instance, of course, is to accelerate transactions. Data suggests that such acceleration only occurs if we can offer more value to the hyper-stressed customer.

As I write this, I have just returned from our June NCAC meeting. Everything I have shared with you so far was the strong focus of the intense and sobering meeting that we just had. Everyone understands the challenges, and the combined team of franchisee and franchisor leaders are moving swiftly to help you deal with this unprecedented pressure at the restaurant level.

One of the things that has happened over the years is the development of a regular cadence toward new product introduction.

First, the Food Innovation Team (FIT) develops a product that it believes deserves serious attention. After getting sign-off from interested stakeholders (franchisees, other departments at KFC, etc.), the product then moves into being examined by Operations to ensure it can be mass produced in the restaurants, and the RSCS is consulted for potential sourcing of ingredients. Then, after lots of back and forth, the product

While the issues before us are daunting, the level of partnership shown by both sides, the willingness to lay aside the separate interests we have as franchisees and franchisor, and the complete dedication to finding fast solutions without grandstanding, was remarkable.

is typically tested for six to eight weeks to ensure that the consumer will like it. Once those results are in, the process starts over until we get to a place where both Ops and the FIT team feel like the product is ready to go. Meanwhile, the RSCS has expanded its work to make sure enough product can be efficiently sourced to support a national roll-out. Packing is developed and refined, and the OEC works with KFCC to develop the training materials you will need to offer the product in your restaurant. Separately, but somewhat at the same time, the Marketing Group is trying to figure out where the product should be slotted in a promotional window, how to promote it, and running some market tests to ensure the product will sell. Not surprisingly, this entire process can take anywhere from six months to a year and a half.

Unfortunately, given the situation we are currently in, that process simply will not do.

At our meeting, it was agreed that in order to expedite the rapid deployment of some value options aimed at amping up transactions and keeping our customers satisfied, the NCAC would create a cross-functional team of franchisees and franchisor department leads, putting this team in charge with quickly analyzing several potential value offerings, getting them approved, and getting them rolled out. This is a new approach and one that is desperately needed in this critical time to drive customers, and cash, into your restaurants.

And speaking of cash, we are working hard with our franchisor partners to figure out how to best preserve that critical lifeblood when it comes to other things as well — capital expenditures, restaurant margin improvements, and how to leverage our existing technological assets to rapidly increase volume while driving down costs.

None of this would have happened without the strong partnership we have built with KFCC over the years. While the issues before us are daunting, the level of partnership shown by both sides, the willingness to lay aside the separate interests we have as franchisees and franchisor, and the complete dedication to finding fast solutions without grandstanding, was remarkable for two reasons. First, this level of cooperation is utterly unique is franchising. On the other hand, it is what we have come to expect, as the hard work we have all done over the last several years to create an institutional expectancy of collaboration has become the norm, rather than the exception. That fact alone gives me a great amount of optimism that we will emerge from this time stronger than ever before.

Finally, I would be remiss if I did not thank all of you who are participating in the iLumen program. Our visibility into what is happening on the ground in your restaurants has been made possible only through those of you who have taken the time to provide this information.

Our ability to weather this storm will be contingent on our continued visibility into restaurant-level economics. Therefore, for those of you who have not signed up for iLumen, please reach out and let me get you connected. It is safe, fast, confidential, and has almost nothing but upside to you in the management of your business through these stormy seas. n This column is for the general information of members of the AKFCF and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Please see your own attorney or professional advisor for questions concerning your franchise agreement. Ronald K. Gardner is General Counsel of both the AKFCF and the NCAC.

Ad index 33

AT&T Business

17

Auspex Capital

40

Bama Companies

16

Café Valley Bakery

23

Capitol Light

18

Case Farms

19

Chart Industries

C3

Dr Pepper Snapple Group

5

Ecolab Kay Chemical Company

35

FranBizNetwork

29

Gycor International

27

KFC Foundation

31

Koch Foods

39

Lennox Commercial

C2

Magnesol

41

NDA, Inc.

15

Pacific Premier Franchise Corporation

1

Partstown

3

PepsiCo

45

Pilgrim’s

13

Procter & Gamble Distributing

8, 9, 49 Restaurant Supply Chain Solutions 11

Restaurant Technologies

37

Rubicon Technologies, LLC

14

SYR Clean

7

Welbilt

C4

Winston Industries

43

Workstream

Summer 2022 AKFCF Quarterly 55

Photo Courtesy of KFC Global

LOOKING BACK

56 AKFCF Quarterly Summer 2022

PARTNERSHIP KFC is still the world’s favorite fried chicken. Winston is proud to have been with you since the beginning, helping to fry up the chicken that humanity craves. Partnership is a two-way street. At Winston, we know our success depends on your success. Together, we will thrive.

Donald Schaper dschaper@winstonind.com 502.541.6038 KFCFryers.com