KFC vs McDonald's: Founders, CEOs and History
KFC was founded in 1930 by Colonel Harland Sanders and is led by Scott Mezvinsky. McDonald's was founded in 1940 by Maurice James McDonald, Richard James McDonald, Ray Kroc and is led by Chris Kempczinski.
Company facts
KFC
- Founded
- 1930
- Headquarters
- Plano, Texas, United States
- Current CEO
- Scott Mezvinsky
McDonald's
- Founded
- 1940
- Headquarters
- Chicago, Illinois, United States
- Current CEO
- Chris Kempczinski
- Employees
- 150,000
Founders
KFC
Colonel Harland Sanders
Harland Sanders (1890-1980) founded Kentucky Fried Chicken. He began serving meals at his Corbin, Kentucky service station in 1930, developed the Original Recipe seasoning and pressure-frying method, and started franchising in 1952 with Pete Harman in Salt Lak…
McDonald's
Maurice James McDonald
Maurice "Mac" McDonald co-founded McDonald's with his brother Richard in 1940, opening a barbecue drive-in in San Bernardino, California.
Richard James McDonald
Richard McDonald co-founded McDonald's and played a leading role in the 1948 redesign that turned a local drive-in into the template for modern fast food.
Ray Kroc
Ray Kroc opened his first McDonald's franchise in Des Plaines, Illinois in 1955 and built the franchising organization that made the brand famous far beyond California.
CEOs and their tenures
KFC
- Harland Sanders1930–1964
Founder
Colonel Harland Sanders developed his Original Recipe of 11 herbs and spices at his roadside restaurant in Corbin, Kentucky in the 1930s and perfected the pressure-frying method that made KFC's chicken distinct.
Source - John Y. Brown Jr.1964–1971
CEO
Purchased Kentucky Fried Chicken from Colonel Sanders for $2 million in 1964 alongside Jack Massey.
Source - Richard Mayer1980–1989
CEO
Served as CEO of KFC during its ownership under Heublein and RJR Nabisco in the 1980s, overseeing menu expansion and operational standardization across the global franchise network as the brand accelerated its international growth.
Source - Sabir Sami2022–2025
Chief Executive Officer, KFC Division (2022-2025)
Former KFC global COO and managing director of KFC Asia; led KFC past 30,000 restaurants before stepping down at the end of February 2025.
Source - Scott Mezvinsky2025–present
Chief Executive Officer, KFC Division
20-year Yum! veteran and former president of Taco Bell North America and International; became KFC CEO on March 1, 2025.
Source
McDonald's
- Ray Kroc1967–1973
CEO
By prioritizing radical operational simplification and large digital integration across the global franchise network, he successfully transformed the organization into a profoundly modern enterprise.
Source - Fred Turner1974–1987
CEO
By prioritizing radical operational simplification and large digital integration across the global franchise network, he successfully transformed the organization into a profoundly modern enterprise.
Source - Jim Skinner2004–2012
CEO
By prioritizing radical operational simplification and large digital integration across the global franchise network, he successfully transformed the organization into a profoundly modern enterprise.
Source - Steve Easterbrook2015–2019
CEO
By prioritizing radical operational simplification and large digital integration across the global franchise network, he successfully transformed the organization into a profoundly modern enterprise.
Source - Chris Kempczinski2019–present
CEO
By prioritizing radical operational simplification and large digital integration across the global franchise network, he successfully transformed the organization into a profoundly modern enterprise.
Source
Timeline: KFC and McDonald's side by side
1930KFC
Harland Sanders Serves Meals in Corbin, Kentucky
Opened a service station dining table on US Route 25 during the Great Depression.
1939KFC
Invention of Pressure-Fried Chicken
Adapted commercial pressure cookers and finalized the 11 secret herbs and spices recipe.
1940McDonald's
First McDonald's Opens in San Bernardino
Richard and Maurice McDonald opened the first McDonald's restaurant on May 15, 1940 in San Bernardino, California. The original drive-in gave the brothers a live operating laboratory before they stripped the model down to a faster, lower-cost menu.
1948McDonald's
Speedee Service System Introduced
The brothers simplified operations in 1948 around 15-cent hamburgers, shakes, and fries.
1952KFC
First Official Franchise in Salt Lake City
Pete Harman opened the first franchised store and pioneered the well-known bucket container.
1955McDonald's
Ray Kroc Opens Des Plaines Restaurant
Ray Kroc opened his first McDonald's in Des Plaines, Illinois on April 15, 1955 after becoming the brothers' franchise agent. That restaurant became the base for converting a California operating idea into a national franchise system.
1961McDonald's
Hamburger University Opens
Hamburger University opened in the basement of an Elk Grove Village, Illinois restaurant in 1961. The training program mattered because it formalized the standards and operating routines that franchisees needed to deliver a consistent experience.
1961McDonald's
Kroc Buys the Brothers' Company
McDonald's says it acquired the rights to the brothers' company in 1961 for $2.7 million. The deal gave Kroc control of the name and system, setting up the real estate-backed franchise model that later defined parent-company economics.
1964KFC
Sale to John Y. Brown Jr. ($2M)
Sold the company while remaining the lifetime global brand ambassador.
1968McDonald's
Big Mac Added to National Menu
The Big Mac, developed by owner-operator Jim Delligatti of Pittsburgh, was added to the national menu in 1968. It became a durable core product and a recognizable signal of the company's ability to turn franchisee ideas into systemwide menu platforms.
1975McDonald's
Egg McMuffin Builds Breakfast
The Egg McMuffin, created by owner-operator Herb Peterson of Santa Barbara, California, was added to the national menu in 1975. It helped turn breakfast into a major daypart rather than leaving the restaurants dependent on lunch and dinner traffic.
1986KFC
PepsiCo Acquires KFC for $850 Million
PepsiCo bought KFC from RJR Nabisco, accelerating global restaurant expansion.
1987KFC
First Western Fast Food Chain in China
Opened near Tiananmen Square in Beijing, initiating decades of market leadership in China.
1997KFC
Spin-off into Yum! Brands (Tricon)
PepsiCo spun off KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell into an independent public restaurant giant.
2017McDonald's
Global McDelivery Day with UberEATS
McDonald's marked Global McDelivery Day in 2017 to support the broader launch of McDelivery with UberEATS. Delivery expanded restaurant reach beyond the counter and drive-thru, while also adding packaging, marketplace-fee, and kitchen-throughput challenges.
2019McDonald's
Dynamic Yield Acquisition
McDonald's agreed to acquire Dynamic Yield in 2019 to personalize drive-thru menu boards, kiosks, and app experiences using signals such as time of day, weather, restaurant traffic, and trending items.
2024McDonald's
Quarter Pounder E. Coli Outbreak
U.S. Public health agencies linked a 2024 E. Coli outbreak to slivered onions served on McDonald's Quarter Pounders in affected states.
2025KFC
CEO Change and Move to Plano, Texas
Scott Mezvinsky succeeded Sabir Sami as CEO on March 1, 2025; KFC's U.S. corporate office relocated from Louisville to Plano.
2025McDonald's
$26.9B FY2025 Revenue
McDonald's reported $26.885 billion in FY2025 revenue and $8.563 billion in net income.
Acquisitions
McDonald's
- Dynamic Yield2019$300M
- Apprente2019Undisclosed
- Boston Market2000$173.5M
- Donatos Pizza1999Undisclosed
- Chipotle Mexican Grill stake1998Undisclosed
Questions about KFC vs McDonald's
Who is the CEO of KFC and McDonald's Corporation?
KFC is led by Scott Mezvinsky and McDonald's Corporation is led by Chris Kempczinski. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was KFC founded vs McDonald's Corporation?
KFC was founded in 1930 — 10 years before McDonald's Corporation, which was founded in 1940. KFC's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger McDonald's Corporation.
How many employees does KFC have compared to McDonald's Corporation?
McDonald's Corporation employs approximately 150,000 people. A verified employee count for KFC is not currently available.
Where are KFC and McDonald's Corporation headquartered?
Both KFC and McDonald's Corporation are headquartered in United States, meaning they operate under the same primary regulatory and tax environment.
Who founded KFC and McDonald's Corporation?
KFC was founded by Colonel Harland Sanders. McDonald's Corporation was founded by Maurice James McDonald, Richard James McDonald, Ray Kroc.
Which company has a longer operating history — KFC or McDonald's Corporation?
KFC has been operating for approximately 96 years, making it the more established of the two companies. McDonald's Corporation has been in operation for around 86 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the KFC vs McDonald's overview