KFC, formerly known as Kentucky Fried Chicken, is officially leaving the state it’s named after. The fast food chain’s parent company, Yum! Brands, announced on Tuesday that KFC will be moving its corporate headquarters to Texas. Specifically, the Dallas suburb of Plano, where KFC will join sister brand Pizza Hut’s offices.

KFC is making a shocking move: relocating its corporate headquarters from Kentucky to Texas. And Kentuckians are not thrilled. While the company calls it a strategic decision, some speculate Texas’ business-friendly tax policies play a role.

The relocation to Texas by Yum! Brands, which Pepsico spun off in 1997, is a move to help keep the company growing. Today, KFC has more than 30,000 restaurants in 150 countries and is considered the second-largest restaurant chain in the world, behind only McDonald’s.

KFC stands for Kentucky Fried Chicken — everyone knows this, even chicken eaters outside of the United States. But the chain, long based in Kentucky, is relocating after 95 years of making chicken with the Southern state as its home base (KFC's headquarters is in Louisville).

KFC, the fast food chain formerly known as Kentucky Fried Chicken, is leaving the state where it all began.The chicken chain's parent company, Yum Brands, announced Tuesday that KFC's corporate ...

Despite the move, Yum! Brands says it remains committed to maintaining ties to Kentucky. The company has pledged a $1 million endowment to the University of Louisville’s College of Business to fund scholarships. It will also continue supporting the Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence.