Publications
Publications
- November 1986 (Revised December 1992)
- HBS Case Collection
Kentucky Fried Chicken (Japan) Ltd.
Abstract
Describes the internationalization of the Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) fast food chain, focusing on KFC's entry into Japan. An entrepreneurial country general manager, Lou Weston, battles numerous problems to establish the business and is eventually highly successful. In doing so, Weston ignores or circumvents policies and control from KFC's headquarters and becomes very upset when more sophisticated planning, coordination, and control systems begin to constrain his freedom. The case presents both the headquarters and subsidiary perspectives and allows discussion of the conflicts between strategic planning and control and entrepreneurial independence in a multinational company.
Keywords
Business Subsidiaries; Entrepreneurship; Globalized Economies and Regions; Governing Rules, Regulations, and Reforms; Policy; Market Entry and Exit; Strategic Planning; Agency Theory; Perspective; Corporate Strategy; Food and Beverage Industry; Japan
Citation
Bartlett, Christopher A. "Kentucky Fried Chicken (Japan) Ltd." Harvard Business School Case 387-043, November 1986. (Revised December 1992.)