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FEATURES
20 GAC Report: The GAC Supports Lori Chavez-DeRemer for Secretary of Labor
By JoAnna Mueller
Shortly after the election, newly elected President Trump announced Lori Chavez-DeRemer as his nominee for Secretary of Labor.
Convention Preview: AKFCF Annual Convention Heads Back To Nashville
By Kelly Rodenberg
Join us in Nashville, and let’s make history together at the AKFCF Annual Convention, where every moment is a memory in the making and every handshake holds the potential for greatness.
Convention Memories
By AKFCF Quarterly Staff
Bask in the glow of Conventions past and reminisce about some of your favorite destinations, speakers, and performers.
BETTER TOGETHER
A SHARED HISTORY. A SHARED STORY. A SHARED FUTURE.
By Michelle Hunt
Our Association and family reunions highlight the importance of unity and support for the franchise community during both prosperous and challenging times. When we come together in difficult moments, it strengthens our bonds and fosters resilience. The theme of the 2025 AKFCF Convention is Share Your Story. Sharing stories can be a powerful way to connect with each other and build the strength of our community, opening up opportunities to learn from each other’s experiences and to gain new perspectives.
Our members have repeatedly shared the top three reasons they attend these events — collaborating with fellow franchisees, networking with our valued vendor partners, and getting first-hand updates from the KFCC leadership and leaders within our franchise community. In recent years, there has not been a more important time than now to come together and benefit from these opportunities provided by the AKFCF Convention. Nowhere else outside the Annual AKFCF Convention, Franchisee Forum, and other regional meetings will these needs be met. Online registration will remain open until we arrive in Nashville. But even then, it’s not too late to join us. Get to Nashville, and we’ll take care of you at the Onsite Registration and Hospitality desk just outside the Presidential Ballroom. Read about the 2025 AKFCF Convention and a few Convention memories starting on page 26.
The Government Affairs Committee and our lobbyist Polaris Consulting share a brief post-election update about Lori Chavez-DeRemer, the Trump administration nominee for Secretary of Labor, on page 20. In a Regional Short, Jennifer Thomas, the Southeast Region’s Executive Director, shares insights into the success of the Franchisee Forum. This event draws attendance from five of the six domestic regions coming together in a consolidated, annual Fall business meeting with engaging workshop content, networking, and time spent with our vendor partners. We also have updates from the KFC Foundation, NCAC, RSCS Member Programs, AKFCF president, executive director, and legal counsel.
Again, I hope to see you in Nashville for the 2025 AKFCF Convention and Trade Show March 23-26. If there is anything I can assist you with, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Official Publication of the Association of Kentucky Fried Chicken Franchisees
AKFCF QUARTERLY MISSION STATEMENT
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 Leslie Sharp
Editor Michelle Hunt
AKFCF Administrative Michelle Hunt
Manager
Communications Chair Kevin Schlutz
Executive Director Kelly Rodenberg
Past President Justin Stewart
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
Zaira Guevara (International Liaison) 7750 NW 46TH Street PTY 1495 Doral, FL 33166
Send all advertising and editorial submissions for AKFCF Quarterly to:
NEW SOUTH PUBLISHING, INC. 9040 Roswell Road, Suite 210, Atlanta, GA 30350 Phone: 770.650.1102
President Larry Lebovitz
Vice President/Publisher John Hanna
Publishing Editor Cory Sekine-Pettite
Art Director Tracy Stalling
Advertising & Megan Willis
Production Manager
Account Executive Jamie Ryan
Circulation Manager Amy Fine
Accounting Marilyn Walker
By Leslie Sharp
STRENGTHENING OUR BONDS
Ihopeyou had a wonderful holiday season, and here’s to hoping that 2025 will treat us all a little better.
The year is off to a rough start, but there’s still enough runway to make this a prosperous and great year! Even though our patience is being tested, there’s always something to be grateful for and plenty of work to do. If you have not signed up for the 2025 AKFCF Convention in Nashville, March 23-26, consider this your personal invite. Please stop reading and sign up now! For those of you who have already registered, thank you, and I look forward to our time together in March!
Our Convention planning has been underway since last May, but this is the time frame where our dreams and aspirations become concrete plans and agenda items, and the heavy lifting is done. From now until I see you on March 23, the team and I will be focused on bringing you the best that we have.
“Connecting with others, sometimes in the most unexpected ways, has been instrumental in my life!”
Our AKFCF Conventions have always been memorable and fun. But as I talked about in my last column, the reasons that we meet face to face go much deeper than a good time. Strengthening our bonds, sharing ideas, and using our collective voice to persuade and influence the business are the true reasons for gathering.
The AKFCF was built on the foundation of franchisee volunteerism. And I would argue that a key to the longevity of the KFC Brand itself has been built on franchisees volunteering their time and talents, day in and day out, to one another. As franchisees, it’s our choice to join the AKFCF and this type of voluntarily banding together is something that we should never take for granted.
Attending our Convention is a perk of membership, and often the highlight of the year. So, I encourage you, once again, if you have not signed up for the 2025 Convention, take advantage of this membership perk and join us in Nashville!
As I was thinking about our upcoming time together and why it’s important, I was reminded of a story from my college days. I had a part-time job with a tour company called Lexington In Touch. We put together high-end tours, mainly horse farm tours for Europeans, executives, and figures in the media. I met a ton of people. We were a small company that had a great reputation, and I loved working there. Each December, as a ‘thank you,’ Linda Wharton, the owner of the company, would host a big party. After my first year of working there, I was invited to be a guest at that December party. Linda said it would be a great networking opportunity for me, and looking back, I should’ve welcomed the invite. Instead, in my 19-year-old ignorance, I replied, “Why do I need to attend a party with people who I will never work with beyond this job?” I did not understand the value of networking, and I wouldn’t understand it until much later in my life. I cringe a bit when I think back to how hardheaded and ungrateful I was for that invitation. But thankfully, Linda was a patient mentor, and she didn’t give up on teaching me valuable lessons.
Needless to say, I understand the value of networking now. Connecting with others, sometimes in the most unexpected ways, has been instrumental in my life! I’ve had business opportunities, deals, and experiences that would have NEVER been possible if not for networking. I’m sure the same goes for you. So, I ask, what opportunities or doors have been opened to you because of the network that you’ve built? And the question I’m most excited to find out is…What opportunities are still out there waiting for all of us? You, my 19-year-old self, and my husband Paul may think that networking is only for people in sales, but as franchisee Laure Kohl used to say with a wink and a smile, “Everyone is in sales; however, some of us just don’t know it yet!” Whether we’re selling a product or an idea, building new relationships or strengthening old ones, I look forward to networking with you in March. See you soon! n
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Across foodservice, biscuits are growing on menu.¹
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1. Technomic, On Menu Information for Biscuit, Pulled January 2025; 2. General Mills Internal, Competitive Guide, March 2023;
PARTNERING TO GET IT RIGHT FOR OUR CUSTOMERS AND KFC IN 2025
By Jim McKenzie, NCAC Vice Chair
AsI write this, we just concluded our final NCAC meeting of 2024. We had a productive and important week of Subcommittee and Committee meetings. Our time together is always filled with long days but critical discussions and decisions in partnership to move the business forward. I appreciate the franchisees coming together and joining the KFC teams in Louisville, all giving of their time and talent.
As you may recall from my fall Quarterly message, I stressed the importance of continued partnership, acting with urgency to change the trajectory of the business and getting the system in a better place. We have been working hard on your behalf to drive some much-needed decisions.
Since we met in September, a small group of franchisees and KFCC partners have convened regularly and engaged with additional franchisee and Brand leaders along the way, making significant progress in the following areas:
2025 Marketing Calendar — It has been a long-term goal to get further out on our marketing calendar. A marketing calendar that is full and strategic helps everyone — each of us and our restaurants, the Brand, and our agency partners. Thanks to the leadership of Catherine Tan-Gillespie, a marketing calendar has been developed and is populated with exciting, authentic, and inspiring news for the KFC system. The calendar has been aligned through
There is importance in continued partnership, and ...urgency to change...
Window 4, taking us through early June. Your NCAC will align on Window 5 in early 2025, and at our March NCAC meeting we expect to align on the summer and fall windows.
The calendar focuses on windows that increase penetration with modern news and collaborations, abundant value, intentional core/buckets/high-end offers, and lunch on-the-go initiatives. Focusing on increasing customer purchase frequency via everyday value and our rewards program is a key element of the calendar. We will keep chicken on the bone relevant while building our boneless business. I look forward to our continued progress on the 2025 marketing calendar. Before you know it, we’ll be sharing a 2026 marketing calendar!
Remodel Deferrals — Considering the current economic conditions, KFCC has agreed to defer remodels for a vast majority of locations in the system. The Company agreed to allow everyone (except Pre-Series and Series 6000 locations) who otherwise have a remodel due date between 2025 and 2034 to have an additional year over and above your current due date. The Company shared a communication to the system in mid-November outlining the details. If you have questions about your specific obligations, I encourage you to reach out to KFC Legal or Ron Gardner, General Counsel for the NCAC and AKFCF.
ROCC — We continue to partner with Thuthuka Nxumalo and other KFCC operations leaders to ensure ROCC is an effective, efficient, and productive tool for the KFC U.S. system. KFCC continues to listen to partners on the Operations Excellence Committee and the Operations Subcommittee to ensure ROCC is a tool for recognition and improvement
versus a punitive measurement. We have an opportunity to utilize ROCC to drive taste as it is the number-one ops priority for 2025. There is alignment to focus on the performance of our restaurant teams in the areas that matter most, including upselling, hospitality, and delivering great taste. I look forward to continued progress on ROCC.
Testing — If we are going to continue to populate our marketing calendar with meaningful products and offers, we must ensure that the decision for an item to “earn” its way on the calendar is rooted in data. Your franchisee and KFCC leaders have partnered to focus on several key areas:
• Quantity in concepts and test markets — volume and learnings are key to developing a robust calendar.
• Efficient decision-making process — clear success criteria make a go/no-go
Your NCAC remains committed to partner with the Brand on the path forward.
decision much easier and enables faster speed to market.
• Test to learn and improve versus test to pass or fail.
• Ensuring we have defined benchmarks makes a consistent process over time much easier.
In 2025, you can expect to see more tests in more markets with a focus on learnings and calendar population for the back half of 2025 and into 2026.
The KFC U.S. business remains in a critical state, requiring continued and intentional attention on the things that matter most. Your NCAC remains committed to partner with the Brand on the path forward. It is critical that we ALL make a commitment to rapidly push the business forward.
I appreciate you and our entire KFC Family. Wishing you, your families, and your teams a very happy New Year! n
Solar Bears fans can enjoy some tasty benefits...
BOGO Famous Bowl:
ORLANDO SOLAR BEARS, KFC PARTNER FOR 2024-25 SEASON
The Orlando Solar Bears, a professional hockey team in the South Division of the ECHL’s Eastern Conference, recently announced a partnership agreement with KFC for the 202425 season.
“We’re excited to team up with KFC, a brand that shares our commitment to bringing people together,” said Solar Bears President Chris Heller. “Whether it’s a game-winning goal or a bucket of crispy chicken, it’s all about creating moments that fans can enjoy. This partnership is a winning combination, and we can’t wait to share it with our supporters both on and off the ice.”
Solar Bears fans can get ready to spice up their
Dive into layers of mashed potatoes, sweet corn, crispy chicken, shredded cheese, and rich gravy.
BOGO 8pc Nugget:
Share the love with a friend or keep all that crispy, tender goodness to yourself.
game day experience at Kia Center by grabbing tickets in the KFC Finger Lickin’ Good section (Section 116) during any Solar Bears home game this season and enjoy some tasty benefits.
Tyson Yirak, field market leader, said: “Our local KFC’s are thrilled to partner with the Orlando Solar Bears and look forward to bringing this partnership to life through unique and engaging marketing activations!”
Don’t forget when the Solar Bears score three or more goals at home, show your ticket at any Orlando Metro KFC location to receive BOGO 8-piece nugget or famous bowl. Offer valid for 24 hours following the game.
Source: Our Sports Central
$21.99 12pc Meal Deal:
Feed the whole squad with 12 pieces of finger lickin’ chicken, 2 large sides, and 6 biscuits.
CHIEFS, STEELERS, AND 49ERS HAVE THEIR OWN COSTUME KFC
STORE IN MEXICO
Aspart of KFC’s latest collaboration with the NFL in Mexico, the Kansas City Chiefs, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the San Francisco 49ers are getting customized restaurant designs that reflect their unique identity and bring them near to the community.
From January 14 to February 9, fans can take part in this celebration at six locations transformed into true havens for football enthusiasts.
Themed around the current Super Bowl back-to-back champions (and potential three-peat winners), these KFC branches are spread across Mexico. One is located in Monterrey, Nuevo León, on Avenida Chapultepec, while another can be found in Puebla.
At the Monterrey location, you’ll find memorabilia from key players like Kansas City TE Travis Kelce and QB Patrick Mahomes. The decor prominently features the team’s signature colors: red, yellow, and white, bringing the Chiefs’ spirit to life.
There are six KFC locations in Mexico that have been transformed with NFLthemed decor, celebrating some of the league’s most popular teams:
• 1 in Mexico City
• 1 in the State of Mexico
• 1 in Puebla
• 2 in Monterrey
• 1 in Guadalajara
These branches are designed to immerse fans in the spirit of the NFL. The Chiefs are getting the most attention, given their potential to compete in Super Bowl LIX on February 9 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Source: marca.com
Scott is one of Yum! Brands’ most respected leaders, with more than 20 years of experience with the company in areas including operations, strategy, finance, and development and a strong track record of delivering impactful results.
SCOTT MEZVINSKY PROMOTED TO KFC DIVISION CEO
Yum! Brands, Inc. recently announced the promotion of Scott Mezvinsky, to KFC Division Chief Executive Officer, reporting to Yum! Brands Chief Executive Officer David Gibbs, effective March 1, 2025. Mezvinsky, a 20-year veteran of the company who currently serves as President of Taco Bell North America and International, will succeed Sabir Sami, who is stepping down as KFC CEO at the end of February 2025.
“Scott is one of Yum! Brands’ most respected leaders, with more than 20 years of experience with the company in areas including operations, strategy, finance, and development and a strong track record of delivering impactful results,” said Gibbs. “In his most recent role as President of Taco Bell North America and International, Scott has helped implement Taco Bell’s well-known bold and exciting ideas and ensured that global restaurant teams and customers have an industry-leading experience. He is a natural choice to lead KFC’s long-term global growth strategies, working in close partnership with our franchisees.”
Prior to his most recent role, Mezvinsky was Taco Bell’s Global Chief Strategy & Financial Officer, leading the finance, devel-
opment and strategy functions to help reach the Company’s goal of becoming a $20-billion brand. Since joining Yum! Brands in 2004, Mezvinsky held various roles at KFC and Yum!, including General Manager of KFC Iberia, where he helped turn the market into one of KFC’s leaders, achieving record same-store sales growth, net new unit growth and ops metrics in 2018 and 2019. He also held roles in the KFC Latin America and Caribbean market, including Chief Development Officer and VP, Development and Operations.
Mezvinsky received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Southern Methodist University and a master’s from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
“It is a tremendous honor to lead an iconic brand such as KFC and have the opportunity to work with talented, dedicated leaders and franchise partners around the world,” Mezvinsky said. “There aren’t many brands that are as well loved and well known as KFC, and I am very excited to play a role in continuing to strengthen and accelerate the growth of this legendary brand in virtually every corner of the world.”
Source: Yum!
Condolences:
Thomas J. White of Batesville, Indiana, passed away in December 2024. White was a dedicated and successful second-generation KFC franchisee for more than 25 years. In fact, he celebrated his family’s 50 years of service at his retirement in June 2022. White is remembers as an avid community leader and motorcycle enthusiast. He is survived by his wife, Kate; three children, Thom Jr, Lindsey, and Molly; and 13 grandchildren.
DADY & GARDNER RANKED IN 2025 U.S. NEWS ‘BEST LAW FIRMS’
AKFCF Legal Counsel Ron Gardner recently announced his firm, Dady & Gardner, P.A., received the Tier 1 National and Tier 1 Regional Best Law Firms rankings in U.S. News - Best Lawyers® in 2025 in the area of Franchise Law. The firm has earned this recognition every year since the inception of the award.
The U.S. News - Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys, and review of additional information provided by law firms as part of the formal submission process. The firm would like to thank those who took the time to participate in the survey on their behalf.
Source: Dady & Gardner
Condolences:
James Michael
‘Mike’ Hubbard, Sr. of Hardeeville, South Carolina, passed away in December 2024 at his home in Key Largo, Florida. Hubbard spent most of his working life with KFC, first as an employee and then as a franchisee. Hubbard loved to travel, fish, and watch NASCAR races. He is survived by his father, Earl; his son Michael; two grandchildren; and a large extended family.
MEET SAUCY, A BOLD NEW RESTAURANT CELEBRATING THE STAR OF EVERY TENDERS MEAL: SAUCE
Ushering in a new era of finger lickin’ good is Saucy, the bold new concept which opened in December of last year in Orlando, Florida.
Backed by KFC, Saucy is a flavor-forward dining destination offering chicken tender lovers the chance to dip, dunk, and customize their meal with 11 irresistible sauces. Always made hot, fresh and crispy, Saucy’s tenders pair perfectly with sweet, spicy, savory and smoky global flavors, all complemented by an 11-beverage lineup that includes a variety of teas, freezes, and refreshers.
“Everyone is obsessed with sauce — more is more,” said KFC Chief New Concept Officer, Christophe Poirier. “With Saucy, we’ve taken KFC’s famous Original Recipe and amplified it with a brand-new concept that lets consumers play with flavor. You can pick a combo, choose a flight of sauces or, my personal favorite, mix sauces and sides to create your perfect meal. We’re sauce people, not math people, but we tried to calculate it and there seems to be over 4,000 different ways you could order at Saucy and have a different flavor experience every time.”
Lost in sauce
At the heart of Saucy’s menu is its sauces, which customers can order individually or in a flight of four with their choice of tenders — all hand-breaded and fried in small batches as a part of Saucy’s made-to-order meal philosophy. Sauces and tenders can be paired with toasted Hawaiian rolls, crinkle cut fries, and coleslaw. Diners can also opt for an EZ Crispy Sandwich, Spicy Queso Crunch Sandwich, or various combos, including crowd-favorite three-piece tenders combo with a toasted roll, fries, medium drink, and choice of sauce for $7.99.
Sweet treats include chocolate mousse cake or key lime cake as the perfect way to end a meal.
In Orlando, Saucy debuts with 11 signature sauces — the number being a playful nod to the 11 herbs & spices in KFC’s Original Recipe:
• Chimichurri Ranch
• Peri Peri Ranch
• Jalapeno Pesto Ranch
• Smokey Bacon Ranch
• Thai Sweet ‘N Spicy
• Sweet ‘N Saucy BBQ
• Saucy’s Sauce
• Spicy Mango Chutney
• Saucy Ranch
• Creole Honey Mustard
• Sweet Teriyaki
In addition to sauces, sippers take the stage with a mix of classic and flavorful beverages, including:
• Passion Fruit + Orange + Guava Refresher
• Hot Honey Watermelon Refresher
• Peach-Mango Lemonade
• Peach-Mango Lemonade Freeze
• Blue Raspberry Freeze
• Tropical Black Tea
• Classic Iced Tea
While backed by KFC, diners will know they are experiencing something new and different once through the door of this standalone concept. Saucy is designed to delight the boldest generations of diners with a modern look and feel that some may say is “saucy,” plus a tech-forward customer experience. Drive-thru lanes allow traditional traffic flow, while inside, diners are invited to order their personalized meal at efficient kiosks and welcomed to stay awhile in an environment meant to hang out. Saucy will debut programming such as live entertainment, making it the perfect community epicenter.
The restaurant features technology that enables efficient back-of-house operations for team members. A “digital twin” of the Saucy restaurant takes its real-world data and runs simulations to create proprietary algorithms that inform how to make tenders as hot & fresh as possible — reducing wait time and upping the crisp-factor for every bite. The Saucy app, available on the App Store and Google Play to correspond with the restaurant’s opening, has 20 points of personalization to account for customer preferences and ensure each made-to-order meal is dripping in flavor.
More to crave
Chosen as the perfect location thanks to its diverse demographic, Orlando is the lucky first recipient of Saucy — but expect to see more, soon.
“Saucy is unlike anything else in the market, and the experience it provides is in a class of its own,” said Poirier. “Being sauce-focused allows us to be as creative as we want. Saucy is debuting with these 11 sauces, but we envision limited-edition sauces, trend-inspired sauces, and sauces created in response to changing taste buds. Tell us what you want to see next! When you’ve already mastered great chicken, the sauce gets to be the fun part.” n
Source: KFCC
Pink is the new red
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
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
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 ational Marketing Subcommittee
NPC National Purchasing Cooperative (i.e., KFC NPC)
The GAC Supports Lori Chavez-DeRemer for Secretary of Labor
By JoAnna Mueller
Shortly after the election, newly elected President Trump announced Lori ChavezDeRemer as his nominee for Secretary of Labor. Chavez-DeRemer, a freshman congresswoman who served on the Education and Workforce committee, had just lost her congressional seat in Oregon in a hard-fought race.
The GAC has developed a relationship with ChavezDeRemer over her two years in Congress. We’ve visited with her during the fly-ins and maintained close contact with her. We were tremendously excited for her nomination. In part because of the competitive nature of her congressional district, she has always been viewed as a moderate. There was some initial concern from the business community because she sponsored the PRO Act which aims to expand labor rights to organize and collectively bargain. However, President Trump has already made it clear that the PRO Act will not be moving forward under his watch. In our conversations over the years, it has always been clear that she understands the priorities of small business. In fact, she highlights that in her public biographies. Below is Chavez-DeRemer’s biography from her congressional campaign website:
Chavez-DeRemer is meeting with Senators and interest groups now in the run up to an eventual hearing on her nomination. We’ll keep you up to date on her progress and we’ll certainly let you know when she is confirmed! We are in contact with her staff and will continue to communicate our AKFCF priorities to her throughout her tenure.”
From 2010-2018, Lori was Mayor of Happy Valley where she led Oregon’s fastestgrowing community. As Mayor, Lori presided over important changes in the city, making it more business-friendly, offering more affordable housing options for families, and creating a safe place to build a career and raise a family.
Before being elected mayor, Lori’s public service career began in 2002 when she served on the Happy Valley Parks Committee. In 2010, she was elected mayor and became Happy Valley’s first female and first Latina elected mayor.
Lori once again made history, in 2022, by winning Oregon’s 5th congressional district in one of the most competitive races in the country. Lori was the first Latina and first female Republican elected to the US Congress from Oregon.
Since joining Congress, Lori has quickly stood out as one of the most bipartisan members, working with Republicans and Democrats across the country to solve our toughest problems from access to childcare to addressing the ongoing homelessness crisis. That’s because like so many, Lori was tired of the same old divisive politics and knows that nothing is more important than showing up to work and getting the job done for Oregon families.
Her most important job, she’ll tell you, is being a mom and a small businesswoman. She’s married to her high school sweetheart, Dr. Shawn DeRemer. Together, they are parents to twin daughters, who are making their own impacts on the world.
Continues on page 24.
Stay Involved, Donate to the AKFCF PAC
Contributing to the AKFCF Political Action Committee (PAC) is the best way to support the election and re-election committees of pro-business Members of Congress who share the same concerns as franchisees. The money raised in the PAC goes directly to the campaign of those running for Congress, or incumbent members seeking reelection. You may make your 2024 AKFCF PAC donation online by visiting our portal on the AKFCF website in the Government Affairs tab.
For more information, please contact your regional GAC representative or Amber Peoples of Polaris Consulting, LLC (apeoples@polariswdc.com).
Recently, we endorsed her nomination. The letter is below:
The Association of Kentucky Fried Chicken Franchisees (AKFCF) is proud to express its strong support for the nomination of Lori Chavez-DeRemer as the next U.S. Secretary of Labor.
As a seasoned business leader with a deep understanding of both small business operations and the challenges faced by franchise owners, we believe Lori Chavez-DeRemer is exceptionally well-qualified to serve in this crucial role. She is well positioned to understand the needs of employers and employees. her track record in advocating for pro-business policies and championing the interests of small businesses makes her an ideal choice to lead the Department of Labor.
We are confident that under her leadership, the Department will prioritize policies that promote economic growth, job creation, and a fair regulatory environment. Her commitment to supporting pro-franchise initiatives will ensure that franchisees — who are the backbone of the American economy — have the opportunity to thrive; create jobs, serve customers, and contribute to our local communities. We believe that Lori Chavez-DeRemer will work diligently to ensure that labor policies are designed to find a balance between employers and employees, benefitting both and fostering a strong environment for all.
We urge the Senate to confirm Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s nomination and look forward to the positive impact she will have on the future of American businesses and workers.
Chavez-DeRemer is meeting with Senators and interest groups now in the run up to an eventual hearing on her nomination. We’ll keep you up to date on her progress and we’ll certainly let you know when she is confirmed! We are in contact with her staff and will continue to communicate our AKFCF priorities to her throughout her tenure.
As we enter a new administration and Washington’s leadership changes, your PAC contributions matter more than ever. Please consider making your 2025 AKFCF PAC donation online by visiting our portal on the AKFCF website in the Government Affairs tab.
For more information, please contact your regional GAC representative or Amber Peoples of Polaris Consulting, LLC (apeoples@polariswdc.com). n
MARCH 23-26
HEADS BACK TO
BY KELLY RODENBERG
It’s a celebration of heritage, camaraderie, and the savory success of one of the world’s most beloved brands.
Step into the heart of Nashville, where the spirit of the KFC family comes alive at the AKFCF Annual Convention — an event that’s more than just a gathering; it’s a celebration of heritage, camaraderie, and the savory success of one of the world’s most beloved brands.
For those who have had the pleasure of attending previous Conventions, you know the electric excitement that fills the air when KFC franchisees, their families, vendors, KFCC leaders and partners unite under one roof. This year, we’re taking it to a new level, inviting you to immerse yourself in an
experience that’s as rich in flavor as the Colonel’s secret recipe.
Prepare to be inspired as Vera Jones, a visionary in leadership and empathy takes the stage at the iconic Grand Ole Opry as our opening keynote speaker. Her insights will motivate and transform the way you lead and engage with your teams. Expect to be captivated by the power of narrative as Kelly Swanson, a master of storytelling, weaves the personal and professional tales of our KFC family into a tapestry of triumph and challenge during her interactive session.
MARCH 23-26
Join us in Nashville, and let’s make history together at the AKFCF Annual Convention, where every moment is a memory in the making and every handshake holds the potential for greatness.
But the heart of the AKFCF Annual Convention beats strongest through the shared stories and wisdom of our very own KFC family. These are the voices from within the brand — those who’ve been where you are and have risen through the ranks, carrying with them the stories of growth, innovation, and the true meaning of being part of the KFC legacy.
Beyond the transformative talks and presentations, the AKFCF Convention is a nexus for networking. It’s an opportunity to forge new connections, to strengthen old ones, and exchange stories with colleagues, family, and vendor partners. These interactions are where ideas are born, partnerships are forged, and the future of the KFC brand is shaped by those who know it best.
To our esteemed KFC franchisees, partners, managers, above restaurant leaders, and exhibitors — this Convention is for you. It’s a professional platform that’s as compelling as the brand we represent. It’s an opportunity to learn, grow, and to be part of a family that’s united by more than just business — it’s united by a passion for the people we serve and the food we’re proud to deliver.
Don’t miss this chance to be part of the most famous show in the KFC Brand. Join us in Nashville, and let’s make history together at the AKFCF Annual Convention, where every moment is a memory in the making and every handshake holds the potential for greatness.
Nashville
MARCH 23-26
Opening Keynote Speaker
Vera Jones
In today’s fast-paced business world, the ability to lead with empathy has become a critical differentiator for success. Fortunately, we have a true expert in this art form gracing the stage at our opening keynote.
Vera Jones, a former collegiate athlete and coach, brings a wealth of real-world experience to her transformative presentation on empathic leadership.
Drawing from the insights in her latest book, “Leadership 6-S: How To Love Them And Lead Them with Empathy,” Vera unveils the six research-backed workplace motivators essential for driving engagement and mastering emotionally intelligent communication. Through captivating storytelling, Vera emphasizes the importance of self-awareness as the foundation for growth in understanding and connecting with team members on a deeply personal level.
Vera’s keynote is more than just a lecture — it’s a dynamic, humorous, and highly relatable experience that will leave you inspired and equipped to foster a culture of empathy within your own organization. As a seasoned professional who has walked the walk, Vera understands that “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” This philosophy is the driving force behind her mission to transform the way we approach leadership and teamwork.
Whether you’re a seasoned franchisee, a rising manager, or a valued vendor, Vera’s keynote will provide you with the tools and insights needed to elevate your leadership skills and create a more engaged, collaborative, and high-performing team. Prepare to be motivated and empowered to lead with the heart as well as the mind.
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Welcome Reception in Trade Show – Country Icons
Monday, March 24
7:00 – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast
9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. AKFCF General Session at the Grand Ole Opry
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Lunch and Colonel’s Kitchen Clash with Celebrity Chef Edward Lee
2:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. General Session
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. KFChic Reception in Trade Show
Free Night
8:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. KFC Foundation Event –Pins Mechanical
Tuesday, March 25
8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Breakfast
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. KFC General Session
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Lunch in Trade Show
2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. General Session
6:30 p.m. – 10:15 p.m. Final Night Celebration at Category 10
Wednesday, March 26
7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. AKFCF Franchisees Only Day
8:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. AKFCF President Closing Remarks
8:45 – 10:15 a.m. Legal Update
10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Regional Meetings
1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. AKFCF Board Meeting
Scan, shop & share!
Using our mobile app, scan the data plate on your HVAC unit to find the specific real OEM parts and manuals needed. Here’s how to get started:
• Select “Shop by Brand” and choose either Trane or YORK
• Tap on “HVAC Data Plate Scanner”
• Snap a picture of the data tag on your unit
• You will see any matches for your model plus the related OEM parts and manuals
• From there, you can share the model with your team or call us if you have questions
We currently have two great brands available on the HVAC Data Plate Scanner:
More brands coming soon!
Download the industry’s #1 mobile app today!
MARCH 23-26
Afternoon Keynote with Kelly Swanson
The key to impactful communication lies in storytelling. During this session, you’ll hear motivational stories from fellow franchisees of all kinds. Master Storyteller
Kelly Swanson will provide them with the tools to craft and deliver their stories in an even more powerful way so that they connect deeply and drive action. She’ll help you and your team become influential communicators. Kelly’s dynamic blend of humor, inspiration, and practical insights will empower you with transformative storytelling techniques. Her engaging style ensures a memorable experience.
KFC Kitchen Clash Challenge
Experience the thrill of high-stakes cooking competition with this iconic showdown between talented teams of cooks. Under the watchful eye of celebrity Chef Edward Lee, contestants will race against the clock to create culinary masterpieces using secret ingredients. Root for your favorite duo and marvel at their ingenuity in the kitchen. Prepare for edge-of-your seat tension as contestants face off in a battle against the clock and mind-bending mystery ingredients. Featuring a diverse group of talented contestants, this event tests their grit with grueling challenges and surprise twists. With high stakes and a dash of drama, you won’t want to miss a moment. Unpredictable, entertaining, and packed with culinary inspiration — this interactive lunch is a must-watch! Brace yourself for a sizzling-hot journey into the heart of cookery chaos and top-notch cuisine.
KFC Foundation Is Trading Golf Pins for Pins Mechanical!
Grab dinner after the trade show wraps up on Monday, March 24 — then head to Pins Mechanical with your crew to have some fun with duckpin bowling, pinball, arcade, ping pong, patio pong, bocce ball, foosball, and more.
The Foundation will host a tournament for duckpin bowling and ping pong, so start practicing now!
Tickets are $100 each and include:
• Unlimited plays
• Bar snacks
• Drink tickets
• Bus transportation to and from Gaylord Opryland
One hundred percent of proceeds go to the KFC Foundation to support and empower KFC restaurant employees and our communities through education, financial & hardship assistance, and community giving programs.
Scan for tickets
Experience the Electrifying Final Night Celebration at Category 10
As the curtain falls on an unforgettable convention, KFC family and friends are invited to an unparalleled celebration at Category 10 — the newest and most exciting addition to Nashville’s vibrant honkytonk scene. Prepare to be captivated by an electrifying fusion of Southern fare, live country music, and unrivaled entertainment that will leave a lasting impression on all in attendance.
Nestled in the heart of Broadway, Luke Combs’s Category 10 boasts Nashville’s largest stage and dance floor, providing the perfect backdrop for a night of unbridled revelry.
Immerse yourself in the rhythm of live country music performances that will have you tapping your toes and line dancing the night away. Indulge in the rich flavors of authentic Southern cuisine, complemented by the smooth sipping of premium bourbon, as you soak in the lively atmosphere of this three-level entertainment destination.
Adorned with neon lights and a captivating light show, Cat 10 sets the stage for an unforgettable experience. Mingle with fellow KFC family and friends and create lasting memories as you explore the unique offerings of this one-of-a-kind venue.
Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this final night celebration. Join us at Category 10 for an
evening of unrivaled entertainment, indulgent Southern hospitality, and the opportunity to experience the best of Nashville’s vibrant music scene.
We look forward to seeing you in Nashville!
A Lasting Partnership Built On Success.
2025 AKFCF Annual Convention
Nashville
MARCH 23-26
See Music City!
Nashville is one of our favorite destinations. For country fans, outdoor enthusiasts, and foodies alike, a trip to Nashville is the ultimate pilgrimage. Since the 1920s, the city has been attracting musicians who have taken the country genre from the “hillbilly music” of the early 20th century to the slick “Nashville Sound” of the 1960s, the punk-tinged alt-country of the 1990s, and the heartfelt indie troubadours of today. In addition to the Opry, Nashville’s musical attractions range from the Country Music Hall of
Grateful to the KFC Franchisees for their continued support and partnership.
Fame to recording artist and producer Jack White’s niche record label.
The Hall of Fame in downtown Nashville traces the history of the genre, whereas museums dedicated to Johnny Cash, George Jones, and Willie Nelson delve into their personal stories. Of course, the music scene is as vibrant as ever. Every day, the neon lights of Lower Broadway draw crowds of grinning music lovers into its rumbling honky-tonks, while just to the south the vast, undulating roof of Music City Center imprints a giant guitar shape onto the skyline.
Another reason Nashville is hot: a half-dozen flourishing neighborhoods packed with unique shops, indie coffeehouses, innovative bakeries, new breweries and distilleries, and a surprising number of bright murals ready to provide a backdrop for your selfie. East Nashville is home to the city’s artisan scene, while 12th Ave S brings the shoppers with its stylish boutiques, vintage collections, and gift shops. A sophisticated array of restaurants fills the Gulch, and people-watchers pack out patios in
Country Music Hall of Fame
Hillsboro Village. Each neighborhood has a distinct personality, but they’re linked by a common commitment to Southern hospitality.
If you need a break from the Broadway shenanigans, step outside for natural distractions aplenty. An ever-growing network of pedestrian and bike-friendly greenways links Nashville’s city parks, which unfurl over rolling hills and lush landscapes.
B-Cycle bike-rental stations are conveniently placed at greenway trailheads. Nature and outdoor centers inside the larger parks offer kid-friendly activities and nature walks. In total, the city’s park system sprawls across more than 12,000 acres in 108 parks, with 19 greenways. Kayaking and canoeing trips on the gentle Harpeth River are also wellsuited to families.
Or just stay on-site at the Gaylord Opryland, which offers numerous bars and restaurants, a water park, and more (visit www.gaylordopryland. com for more details). Whatever you choose to do, we know you will find it to be spectacular. n
Hotel Information
Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center 280 Opryland Drive, Nashville, TN 37214
AKFCF Group rate based on availability. $239 per night plus a $20 resort fee, 9.25% State Tax, 6% Occupancy Tax, and $2.50 city tax. Resort Fee includes: Property-wide high-speed wireless internet access, unlimited local and longdistance calls, daily shuttle service to Opry Mills & The Inn at Opryland, shuttle transportation to scheduled Grand Ole Opry and General Jackson Showboat Performances, bottled water (2 daily), daily credit of up to $10.00 per room toward dry cleaning, and transportation to Gaylord Springs Gold Links, practice range access, and daily bucket of balls.
The deadline for hotel reservations at the group rate is Feb. 27, 2025 @ 5:00 p.m. Central Time. Rates are honored three (3) days prior and post-Convention dates at the Gaylord based on availability. Deposit of one night’s room and tax required at the time of booking. Changes and cancellations must be made within 72 hours of the scheduled arrival day to avoid one night’s penalty.
contact
Double Chocolate Bundt
Lemon Bundt
Gaylord Opryland Resort
CONVENTION Memories
Our franchisee members are the bread & butter of the AKFCF. We work tirelessly for you to help make your businesses more successful in every way. And we can’t think of a better way to celebrate you and everything KFC than hosting the AKFCF Annual Convention.
Looking back, there are far too many great memories than can be shared in one article, so you may read more features like this in future issues. But for now, please enjoy and reminisce with us on the last 15 years of Conventions from California, Texas, Louisiana, Nevada, Florida, and more. It’s clear from the following images that we’ve had a great time, took great care in planning and executing memorable events every year, and we left each Convention feeling empowered, enthused, and grateful to be a part of the AKFCF Family.
Orlando]. KFC’s Got Taste and Talent was a talent show that was formed out of ‘no budget.’ Keith Cole was the show host, and after a delayed, hair-raising flight from Pittsburgh to Orlando in a major snowstorm on the day of the show, he delivered spontaneous humor and skill without rehearsal. … As President of the AKFCF, it was my proudest moment
to see the impossible come together as an example of how we can all work together to accomplish the unforgettable.”
As we prepare for this year’s Convention in Nashville, share with us your favorite memories from Conventions past. Send us an email. Message us on Facebook. We want to hear from you!
“Every Convention has its own special memories for me. A couple locations I really enjoyed were San Antonio and Hawaii,” said AKFCF Past President Joan Bowling.
Another Past President, Larry Starkey, added: “My best memory was how the Northeast Region came together to support an event that was deemed not to happen [2014 in
San Diego
Manchester Grand Hyatt
San Antonio
Grand Hyatt
San Atonio
Hyatt Regency
Las Vegas
Caesars Palace
Atlanta Marriott Marquis
Caesars Palace
Las Vegas, NV
CONVENTION Themes
DATE THEME
March 23-26, 2025 Share Your Story
March 18-22,2024 Reaching For Impossible
Feb. 25 – 28, 2023 The Foundation of Family
Mar. 7 – 10, 2022 The Power of Opportunity
Feb. 24 – 26, 2021 Power of the People
Feb. 4 – 7, 2020 Banding Together and Leading the Way
Feb. 6 – 9, 2019 Prime Time 2 – Keeping it Real
Feb. 21 – 24, 2018
AKFCF Prime Time – Dedicated to Our Continued Success
Feb. 26 – Mar. 1, 2017 United With One Voice, One Vision
CITY HOTEL
Nashville Gaylord Opryland
Las Vegas ARIA Resort
Austin JW Marriott
Orlando Gaylord Palms
Virtual Virtual
Nashville Gaylord Opryland
Orlando Rosen Shingle Creek
Anaheim Anaheim Marriott
Austin JW Marriott
Feb. 2-5, 2016 Celebrating our Heritage, Building Our Future Atlanta Marriott Marquis
Feb. 2-5, 2015 Partnering For Success Las Vegas Caesars Palace
Feb. 14-17, 2014 The KFC Family…In It To WIN It Together!
Feb. 13-16, 2013 Successful Restaurants are FUN Restaurants
Feb. 1-4, 2012 Leadership for Breakthrough Results
Feb. 28 – Mar. 3, 2011 Leadership for Breakthrough Results
Feb. 8-11, 2010 Shaping our Future A Modern Renaissance
Feb. 23-26, 2009 The Year of the Franchisee
Feb. 13-16, 2008 “I’m still dreaming.” Are You?
Feb. 20-23, 2007 It’s People, Profits and Customer Satisfaction… “Don’t Cha See!”
Feb. 22-25, 2006 Keepin’ It R.E.A.L.!
Feb. 21-24, 2005 Keys to the Future
Feb. 25-28, 2004 AKFCF World Class Performers
Mar. 5-8, 2003
Feb. 17-20, 2002
One Family, Many Hands - Making a World of Difference!
Tradition with Honor!
Feb. 12-15, 2001 No Boundaries!
Jan. 26-29, 2000 Circling The World with KFC Family Pride
Feb. 15-18, 1999 On the Road to Success the Colonel’s Way
Mar. 25-30, 1998 Tradition In A Time of Change
Feb. 10-15, 1997
Building Together The Colonel’s Way
Jan. 20-25, 1996 Investing in Our Future
Orlando Rosen Shingle Creek
New Orleans Hyatt Regency New Orleans
San Antonio Grand Hyatt San Antonio
San Diego Manchester Grand Hyatt
Las Vegas Palazzo/Venetian
Washington DC Gaylord National
Nashville Gaylord Opryland
Dallas Gaylord Texan Resort
Orlando Gaylord Palms Resort
Las Vegas The Venetian
New Orleans New Orleans Hilton Riverside
Orlando Walt Disney World Swan & and Dolphin
Honolulu Hilton Hawaiian Village
Las Vegas The Venetian
Orlando Marriott World Center
Las Vegas MGM Grand
Nashville Opryland Hotel
Honolulu Hilton Hawaiian Village
Orlando Marriott World Center
Austin
JW Marriott
Nashville
Gaylord Opryland
Virtual
Mural in Austin, TX
Austin JW Marriott
Orlando
Gaylord Palms
Las Vegas
ARIA Resort
Universal Orlando Resort Orlando, FL
As we prepare for this year’s Convention in Nashville, share with us your favorite memories from Conventions past. Send us an email. Message us on Facebook. We want to hear from you!
Includes unlimited play, bar snacks, drink tickets, and transportation to and from Gaylord Opryland!
100% of proceeds support the
FUELING CHANGE: THE IMPACT OF ROUND UP FUNDRAISING … AND HOW YOU CAN HELP!
By Liz Gulick, KFC Foundation Communication Manager
The incredible fundraising efforts of your restaurant teams have unlocked opportunities and initiatives we didn’t think possible five years ago.
• Creating a tuition-free online college program
• Offering a $1 for $1 savings match
• Increasing from $1 million in scholarships to $2.5 million
• Launching a personal development program.
And those are just the highlights!
Supporting and empowering KFC restaurant teams is why we do what we do. And the passion, dedication, and creativity of you and your teams is how we do what we do. You make our work possible. Every cent raised adds up to millions of dollars in impact for thousands of restaurant employees and our communities.
Last fall, we got to talk to RBD Director of Ops Nancy Franco, RGM Dalia Doroteo, and team member Ashley Benavides about the importance of Round Up fundraising and the difference it makes.
Scan the QR code (left) to hear what they have to say!
Fundraising for the KFC Foundation in 2025
Franchisees had the opportunity to select their fundraising participation plan last fall, choosing between fundraising over three windows, five windows, or year-round.
Find a list of restaurants and their fundraising dates on the Round Up TeamKFC page.
Many organizations will have their first Round Up fundraising sprint of 2025 from February 10-March 16!
New! In the February 10 POP kit, participating restaurants will receive five, 3.5” button pins to encourage KFC guests to round up their order. We encourage CSTMs to wear them when they’re fundraising for the KFC Foundation!
Coupon Book Fundraiser
We received a lot of positive feedback on our first-ever coupon book fundraiser last summer. We’re bringing it back this year from July 14-August 17, and we have a bold goal to double the amount we raised from $750,000 to $1.5 million.
Here’s how we’re planning to innovate and help meet that goal:
• Provide customized coupon book quantities to restaurants
• Offer franchisees the opportunity to select between two offer redemption date options (available for redemption immediately or starting Aug. 18)
• Sell coupon books online to engage potential donors and KFC guests outside of the restaurant
• Setting our dates early and working with RR Donnelly and franchisees to help ensure other local coupon offers aren’t being mailed out at the same time
• Enhance our POP messaging to be more enticing to guests.
Be on the lookout for coupon book fundraiser communication this spring!
Tips to Rock the Round Up
Get creative! Incorporate your own contests, challenges, and incentives to keep your teams engaged and focused.
• Stewart Restaurant Group has recognized their teams’ Round Up fundraising efforts by incorporating it into
RBD Director of Ops Nancy Franco, RGM Dalia Doroteo, and team member Ashley Benavides talk about the importance of Round Up fundraising and the difference it makes.
their RGM bonus and Best of the Best structure.
• Lucky Dining implemented a challenge during the coupon book fundraiser. They paired restaurants together as a team (one higher volume restaurant paired with one lower volume restaurant) and had the teams compete for first place within their organization.
A little extra competition can go a long way.
Make it personal. If people within your organization have been impacted by the KFC Foundation, remind your teams of those stories. Remind them that they’re helping their teammates — close to home and across the country — make it through difficult times, pursue dreams they never thought possible, and give back to their communities. These donations make a real difference in the lives of real people.
Nominate and empower your KFC Foundation Ambassadors. While you can’t be in every restaurant every day encouraging teams to give it their all in Round Up fundraising, KFC Foundation Ambassadors can!
Ambassadors are meant to be advocates, educators, and cheerleaders for the KFC Foundation in their restaurant. Ambassadors are a great resource to keep your teams motivated, inspired, and engaged with fundraising.
We include Ambassadors on all KFC Foundation email communications (including a quarterly enewsletter geared specifically toward them!). All participating restaurants received an Ambassador Toolkit in the 1/6 POP kit, packed with resources to help them share the KFC Foundation’s programs with their teams.
Scan the QR code (above) for the sign-up form and send it to a few people you think should sign up as an Ambassador.
Utilize the KFC Foundation Round Up Power BI Dashboard. Track your teams’ fundraising efforts with the Round Up Power BI dashboard. By the time this issue lands, there may be some exciting upgrades to the Round Up Power BI dashboard — including a new personalized dashboard for RGMs!
Make sure teams are using the BOH Round Up Tracker. We’ve revamped this
Scan to access the Ambassador sign-up form.
Sign up for daily or weekly (or any frequency) emails from the Round Up Power BI dashboard to keep up with your teams’ fundraising efforts.
1. On the toolbar menu along the top of the report, click “Subscribe to Report.”
2. Click “Create a subscription.”
3. Complete the fields, select when you’d like to receive the email, and save!
year’s Round Up tracker poster to drive engagement. Encourage your Ambassadors and teams to update the tracker daily when fundraising and to reference it during shift huddles.
Recognize your teams in company-wide communication. Use the Power BI dashboard to see which teams are rocking it and recognize them via email, the crew app, KFC Strong, or any other communication channels.
Recognize your top teams in each city, market, or region — in both the money raised and percentage of Round Up transactions categories. Recognize the top teams of the week and/or month, in addition to YTD.
Personalized communication and reco nition really make a difference!
PRO TIP:
Fundraising Recognition
There are 10 fundraising milestones your teams can achieve throughout the year, from $500 to $25,000. Every time they reach a milestone, they’ll receive a recognition box full of prizes!
Scan the QR code (left) to see what prizes are up for grabs.
New! We’ll have challenges to motivate and recognize teams for percent of Round Up Transactions. For most organizations, the first challenge will be from February 10 through March 16. Check TeamKFC for more info.
Thank you
Thank you for continuing to support your KFC Foundation and investing in KFC restaurant employees and communities across the country.
Together, we’re empowering team members to achieve their dream of going to college or earning their GED. We’re helping a team member who lost everything in a house fire, or a shift supervisor who just received a life-altering diagnosis. We’re supporting grassroots non-profit organizations working tirelessly to make their communities stronger. n
Together, we are the Secret Recipe for Good.
Scan to see Round Up prizes!
SOUTHEAST UPDATE: MEMBERS MATTER
By Jennifer Thomas, Executive Director
The Annual Franchisee Forum was held from Sept. 29 – Oct. 2, 2024, at the Marriott Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, Florida. This meeting included franchisee teams from five of the six domestic regions (Northeast, Northwest, Greater Midwest, Southeast, and Southwest), exhibitors, and partners from KFCC, RSCS, and the NCAC. Despite a hurricane that threatened the area the week before and directly impacted many of the Southeast franchisees, more than 360 members joined the meeting.
A packed agenda focused on members’ top three needs: networking with fellow franchisees, time to conduct business with vendor partners, and presentation/discussion with leaders in the KFC system. On Sunday morning (Sept. 29), the networking began with a golf event at Marsh Landing Country Club. More than 60 participants (franchisees and vendors) enjoyed a beautiful, sunny day on the course. We would like to extend a big thank you to the KFC Foundation team — Emma Horn, Debbie Rollins, and Liz Gulick — for managing the fun and “fores”! The day was capped off with a poolside cocktail reception and award ceremony for the top golf teams and contest winners.
On Monday, the agenda included business reports from the NCAC, Government Affairs, RSCS, AKFCF, Legal, and sponsor presentations from Gold, Platinum, and Diamond sponsors. There also were two sessions in exhibits during lunch and an early evening. Attendees were free that evening to attend dinners with fellow franchisees and vendor partners. Thank you to all our hardworking KFC leaders who dedicate their time to improving the business and the KFC brand, and regularly communicate
updates to their constituents. To Jim McKenzie and all the NCAC representatives and sub-committee chairs, Dan Gans, Kirsten Schmidt, Leslie Sharp, and Ron Gardner, you make immeasurable contributions to the system every day and your efforts are truly appreciated.
Tuesday’s agenda included four workshops covering the important aspects of Shortening Management, KFC Listens/The Power of Community, a moderated panel on Loss Prevention, and Upselling Best Practices. Shout out to Ron Patterson, Jeremy Dimick, Bill Ford, Bryan Robinson, Brian Sanders, Jeff North, Matt Giller, and John Bezek for preparing, producing, and delivering impactful content to our meeting attendees. Workshop production is no easy undertaking, but you all made it look that way! There also was one final chance to visit the exhibits to make the most of show specials and deals for the business.
Chief Development Officer. Tarun Lal also shared his vision for the future of the KFC business.
On Tuesday evening, everyone headed to The Yards, a semi-private golf course and event center, for great food, entertainment, and sponsor appreciation awards. Attendees also enjoyed corn hole, fire pits, ax throwing, and putting contests. No participants were harmed in the making of this fun event!
Rounding out the meeting, the KFC Foundation and the KFCC Leadership Team presented to a full room of franchisee teams. Franchisees were introduced to a new member of the KFCC Leadership Team, Catherine Tan, who recently became the Chief Marketing Officer and
The Steering Committee for the Franchisee Forum has been diligent in planning an agenda that gives all the members value for their participation. Our rule of thumb: Franchisees should leave with information or best practices that help them manage their P&Ls and pay for the trip and time to be there. Exhibitors should leave with new contacts and closed (or nearly closed) deals. The Franchisee Forum is serving its members by staying narrowly focused on their top priorities for attending meetings. When you have the chance, please say thank you to Eric Felker, Inman Hodges, Tony Cameron, Eric Cromwell, Kevin Schlutz, Michelle Hunt, Nanette Walker, Samantha Schoenhofer, Shane Lovato, Jeremy Dimick, Daniel Jackson, and Shannon Prendiville for all their efforts to produce a great meeting.
The next Franchisee Forum is scheduled for Sept. 20-24, 2025, at the JW Marriott in Tampa, Florida. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend! n
BUCKETS OF BENEFITS WITH ADP
By Mark Chrisman
Managing payroll can be complex, but with ADP, it doesn’t have to be. ADP has payroll solutions designed to ensure accuracy and compliance, giving you peace of mind.
Asyour trusted partner, ADP offers a comprehensive suite of solutions designed to meet your unique needs, from payroll management to full employee benefits and beyond.
The value ADP brings Managing payroll can be complex, but with ADP, it doesn’t have to be. ADP has payroll solutions designed to ensure accuracy and compliance, giving you peace of mind. Additionally, there is a range of employee benefits that help you attract and retain top talent, ensuring your team remains motivated and productive. Below are just some of our menu options:
• Renegotiated pricing models
• Dedicated teams built for your success:
– Implementation team
– Client success executive Client services and product teams
• Easy integration with third-party technology like:
– Delaget
– DailyPay
• Unrivaled scalable suite of solutions
• ADP’s Marketplace gives you access to HR solutions that simply and securely connect and share data with your ADP platform
• Industry-recognized security safeguards help protect data and information from loss, misuse, unauthorized access, and alteration.
Be ready for the next anything with ADP Assist
Discover the power of ADP Assist, our advanced AI offering that streamlines HR processes, improves efficiency, and enhances decision-making. With ADP Assist, you can focus more on your business and less on administrative tasks. ADP Assist helps you with the following:
• Save time and make informed decisions by delivering the right information
• Power the right data, right when you need it
• Ensure employees are paid accurately and on time with personalized nudges at key moments
• Receive insights and answer questions about missing tax registrations
Why scale matters
Our solutions are tailored to grow with you, providing the same level of excellence and reliability no matter the size of your operation.
Whether you’re a small franchise or part of a large enterprise, ADP has the scale and flexibility to support your business. Our solutions are tailored to grow with you, providing the same level of excellence and reliability no matter the size of your operation.
• 40,000+ Franchisees trust ADP
• Insight from 40 million workers in 140 countries
• HR Industry’s largest workforce dataset
• Dedicated Implementation and Service Model for QSRs
Our solutions are tailored to grow with you, providing the same level of excellence and reliability no matter the size of your operation.
For more information, you can reach out to: Josh Fow, ADP Franchise Director, at 502.890.8916, Josh.Fow@adp.com, or Ron Hooker, ADP Sales Executive, at 412.397.9414, or Ron.Hooker@adp.com. n
By Kelly Rodenberg
EXTENDING HEARTFELT GRATITUDE
AsTHE
AKFCF
IS YOUR VOICE AND ALWAYS WILL BE.
Delivering the promise to protect, promote, and advance the mutual interests of our members is more than just our mission, it is the lens through which we view everything we do.
we closed another incredible year at AKFCF, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our members, partners, board, and staff. Over the past 50 years, we’ve worked together to bring remarkable experiences and benefits to life. From small regional meetings to our national conventions, leadership development, professional legal services, and communication, our goal has always been clear — to protect, promote, and advance the mutual interests of all member franchisees and the Kentucky Fried Chicken system. We are only satisfied when our members feel served and heard, knowing that the first and last impression we create can set the tone for an unforgettable experience of being part of this great association.
Our members trust us with their most valuable assets: their business, their brand, their people, and their vision. We take that responsibility seriously. The AKFCF is your voice and always will be. Delivering the promise to protect, promote, and advance the mutual interests of our members is more than just our mission, it is the
lens through which we view everything we do. That’s why we continue to invest in you, the processes, education, and technology, all to elevate the association experience.
As we look forward to what’s to come, we’re rededicating ourselves to that mission, working tirelessly to make every touchpoint smoother, more dependable, and more exceptional for our members. The next 50 years are filled with even more possibility, and we remain committed to elevating each member’s experience — now and into the future.
We hope that you will continue to remain active in your regions and nationally with the AKFCF. The 2025 Convention will bring us together again in March. This is a wonderful opportunity to spend time with your KFC family from around the country and to share your story, the KFC story, our story. If you have not registered, please do. Nashville is always a favorite destination of this group, and we look forward to spending time with you at the Gaylord Opryland Resort.
Thank you for your trust, partnership, and support. We’re excited to continue this journey together, delivering all the things that make this association stronger and move you towards success. n
The Hard Way
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.
THE STRUGGLE IS REAL
By Ronald K. Gardner, Esq.
AsI write this to you, the NCAC has just approved its budget for the upcoming year — running from February 1 to January 31. As it should, the budget approval process forces all your franchisee leadership, KFCC, and the NCAC, to be extremely realistic about what is happening in the business so that we can do our best to forecast what will be available to spend during the coming year. This deep inward look began some months ago.
As I reported in my last Quarterly article, in our Fall NCAC meeting, we spent a lot
of time on how to make things better, and the process of our decision making. While hope is not a strategy, I am hopeful that the short-term interventions that were made will, in fact, bear fruit.
Make no mistake about it, 2024 was a bad year for the KFC system. Sales were negative for almost all operators, profits down or nonexistent, and the need to find solutions to energize the business has, perhaps, never been greater. But, of course, to solve any problem, you must first understand why it has happened and
then figure out if there are ways to either mitigate or eliminate those causes. Having given this a great deal of thought, I have my own opinions about what happened during the past year.
First, on the marketing side, until very late in the year, there was not a clear marketing strategy. Without adequate testing of products, and a very thin innovation pipeline, the Brand jumped from idea to idea with no follow-through, and no real understanding about why things were or were not working. We lost our chief marketing officer and chief technology officer last year, further adding to our lack of vision. We went almost a full year without a chief development officer, and, between downsizing and attrition, the support system at KFCC had been significantly thinned, with that reality affecting every department we relied upon to drive the business at the Brand level.
Additionally, external factors, including inflation, uncertainty, and the general sense that consumers had a lack of confidence in the economy, drove up prices, and increased capex expenses, while simultaneously decreasing transactions on a macro basis.
Considering all of that, it should not be a surprise to anyone that 2024 was not a good year.
The good news, or let’s call it “the silver lining,” is that there are many people in the system dedicated to resolving these issues and finding solutions.
As for strategy, we began this year with an approved calendar through the first six months, and significant work is being done to get an additional 12 months approved within the next 60 days or so. Having this lead time on the calendar is critical. It allows us to plan more thoughtfully about marketing ideas; it allows us to test and
HAVING GIVEN THIS
refine the products to make sure those products are the best we can possibly offer; and it gives us the time necessary to be nimble should something we thought would work does not. Time also allows us the benefit of making alliances and product crossovers more likely, with the opportunity to negotiate with potential partners, elevate the excitement to the innovation that we do have going, and increase the possibilities of hitting more home runs than have been hit during the past few years. In short, while we have no illusions that everything now on the calendar is the greatest of all time, having much more on the calendar, and more time to find try and find “the next great thing,” is a blessing we have not had in the last several years.
A GREAT DEAL OF THOUGHT, I have my own opinions about what happened during the past year.
there is not much free cashflow in the system. In her short time here, Catherine has already wrapped her hands around that dilemma and has worked feverishly to try to come up with compromise solutions, allowing franchisees the flexibility they need to refresh at a cost that will not imperil their businesses.
Finally, we have seen some relief on cost of goods, with the RSCS projecting an overall decrease in the coming year. That said, the trade wars between the United States and its allies may “take back” many of those savings we may have found. We are unsure of what the future holds — but we are all keeping an eye on it.
With this sobering look at where we are, where do I end up?
Most of these changes are due to our new, dynamic Chief Marketing and Chief Development Officer, Catherine Tan-Gillespie. Catherine is an extraordinarily dynamic and gifted leader who, unlike many of the hard-working leaders we now have at KFCC, comes to us from a market similar to the United States market. Catherine’s prior role was as the Brand president in Canada, where she executed a significant turnaround of the Brand’s fortunes. In my limited interactions with Catherine so far, she has been a thoughtful listener, who takes suggestions and comments seriously, and synthesizes all of the information she is getting into actionable and common-sense solutions.
Catherine has brought that mindset to her job as the CMO, but also as the Chief Development Officer. We all recognize the need to continue to make the Brand relevant and to keep assets fresh and inviting. We also all recognize that this is an extremely difficult task at a time when sales are struggling, capex is expensive, and
Based on my observations over the past few weeks, there have been some green shoots in our system. Sales have been slightly more positive than last year, and transactions also seem to be recovering. I hope I am reading those numbers right and those trends continue. I also have seen a tremendous amount of collaboration between your franchisee leaders and KFCC. I am excited about the opportunity for all of us to come together in Nashville next month to lock arms and to continue finding ways to improve this amazing business. I hope you join me in both my optimistic outlook and, even if you can’t join me there, join me in Nashville to continue meaningful discussions about where we are and where we are going. 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.
