Great American Business Leaders of the 20th Century
John Y. Brown, Jr.
Kentucky Fried Chicken Company
1964–1973
1964–1973
Kentucky Fried Chicken Company
1964–1973
1964–1973
- Industry: Restaurants & Lodging
- Era: 1960
Brown, along with a group of investors, purchased Kentucky Fried Chicken from its founder, Colonel Harland Sanders, for $2 million in 1964. Brown grew Kentucky Fried Chicken from 600 to 3,500 franchises. Brown, alongside McDonald’s Ray Kroc, is recognized with launching the dynamic growth of the fast food industry. In 1971, Heublein, Inc. acquired Kentucky Fried Chicken for $285 million.
Education / Military
- Graduate: University of Kentucky
- Undergraduate: University of Kentucky