During the celebration of Women’s History Month, KFC announced that it has successfully achieved parity between women and men globally across its corporate offices, referred to as restaurant support centers (RSCs). Women now constitute 51 percent of the collective team.
KFC recognizes the importance of ensuring its team reflects its global customer base. By embracing a rich blend of experiences, backgrounds and perspectives, KFC fuels innovation and propels sustainable business growth. Today, the company proudly commemorates the realization of this ambition.
Additionally, the company announced that it has closed the gender experience gap globally across its RSCs, marking a significant milestone in its journey toward fostering an inclusive workplace where every individual feels valued and empowered.
Since 2021, KFC has been actively measuring progress in driving inclusion outcomes and practices using the McKinsey & Company Inclusion Survey, which tests whether a subset of employees believe they have an equal chance of succeeding. According to McKinsey & Company, the gender experience gap refers to the differences in employees’ observed, perceived and lived experiences. These experiences are specifically explored in relation to belonging, equality and openness.
Cristi Lockett, Chief People Officer at KFC Global, celebrated this achievement, stating, “We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve closed the gender experience gap at KFC. This is a reflection of the work environment we’ve built that empowers, retains and develops future women leaders. Our continued commitment to gender parity allows us to unlock a powerful talent pool and supports a workplace where everyone can thrive.”
Findings from McKinsey’s 2023 Women in the Workplace Report underscore the persistent gender disparities within the restaurant industry. Specifically, the report highlights that for every 100 men promoted from entry-level to managerial positions in 2023, only 87 women received similar promotions. This contrast underscores the need for continued efforts to bridge the gender gap and promote equitable opportunities for all.
KFC looks ahead with determination, recognizing that the journey is far from complete. In collaboration with its parent company, Yum! Brands, KFC aims to achieve gender parity in leadership globally by 2030 in alignment with Paradigm for Parity®.
As KFC celebrates this milestone, the unwavering commitment to inclusive people practices remains a cornerstone moving forward. These practices not only cultivate talent effectively, but also ensure that advancement opportunities are accessible to all.
