Headline: The Strange Locations Behind Famous Chain Restaurants
Introduction
I don’t know whether to feel proud or puzzled that 100 Kentucky Fried Chicken workers will relocate to Dallas-Fort Worth, officially adding a new HQ for KFC. Why move to the Dallas suburb of Plano, a place not exactly known for its fried chicken – and more than 700 miles from its namesake Kentucky? Parent company Yum Brands has a brand headquarters in Plano, where it operates Pizza Hut. KFC will keep a footprint in Kentucky, but it’ll also move workers to Texas. It’s a consolidation, possibly a real estate play.
Why Dallas-Fort Worth?
But also, Dallas-Fort Worth has long been a popular region for growing restaurant companies. La Madeleine started here, not France, where its founder is from. Maggiano’s Little Italy, though born in Chicago, is run out of Dallas-Fort Worth.
Strange Locations for Chain Restaurants
So, what are some other strange locations for chain restaurants? Here are seven:
Texas Roadhouse
Despite its name, Texas Roadhouse is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. Call it a game of switcheroo: KFC is now based in Texas and Texas Roadhouse is based in Kentucky.
LongHorn Steakhouse
LongHorn Steakhouse is based in Orlando. Is this Florida city home to a bunch of cattle? No; most of the ranches nearby are in rural counties south of Orlando. It’s in Orlando because that’s home base for parent company Darden Restaurants, which also owns Olive Garden, Chuy’s and more.
Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks might give Las Vegas Strip vibes, but its first restaurant pushed up in Lewisville, a suburb in North Texas. If you look beyond its breastaurant theme, this place is all about the mountain lodge lifestyle, which is nowhere to be found near its HQ in Addison, a mere 600 feet above sea level.
Outback Steakhouse
Outback Steakhouse, despite its Australian aura, was created and remains in Tampa, Florida. It’s 11,000 miles from the Outback.
Other Strange Locations
And the list goes on: Old Chicago started in Boulder, Colorado, and is run out of Houston. Louisiana Famous Fried Chicken is a Los Angeles company started by a Michigan man. Paris Baguette is from South Korea.
Conclusion
So, maybe Kentucky Fried Chicken expanding to Texas is all part of this complicated anti-placemaking plan modeled by so many other chains?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Why did KFC choose to relocate to Texas?
A: KFC will keep a footprint in Kentucky, but it’ll also move workers to Texas for a consolidation and possibly a real estate play.
Q: Why are there so many strange locations for chain restaurants?
A: It seems that many chain restaurants have chosen to base their operations in cities that don’t necessarily align with their brand identity.
Q: What’s the benefit of this anti-placemaking plan?
A: It could be a strategic move to reduce costs and increase efficiency, as well as to take advantage of new opportunities in a growing region.
