The KFC Foundation is awarding $2 million in scholarships, providing over 330 KFC restaurant employees with funding to further their educational dreams. Of those, eleven received a $20,000 scholarship, and hundreds of others received a $10,000 or $5,000 award.
The KFC Foundation Scholarship program empowers KFC restaurant employees in the U.S. to pursue their educational dreams by providing up to $20,000 in scholarships to attend the accredited four-year or two-year college, trade/vocational school, or graduate school of their choice. Since its inception in 2012, the program has awarded over $25 million in scholarships to more than 8,500 KFC restaurant employees.
The eleven $20,000 scholarship winners this year are:
| Name | City/State | Job Role | Franchisee |
| Bailey Borkowski | Coventry, RI | Team Member | DE Foods |
| Miguel Carandia-Reyes | Yakima, WA | Team Member | Harman Management |
| Joaquin Garcia | Yakima, WA | Team Member | Harman Management |
| Promise Gonzalez | Caldwell, ID | Team Member | Stewart Restaurant Group |
| Josue Hernandez | Pico Rivera, CA | Team Member | ISMO Management |
| Hayden Lum | Federal Way, WA | Team Member | Harman Management |
| Taylor Podob | Irwin, PA | Shift Supervisor | Ampex |
| Krystal Salmeron | Moses Lake, WA | Shift Supervisor | Kentucky Fried Chicken of W.E.M., Inc. |
| Amber Underwood | Aberdeen, OH | Shift Supervisor | Widder Management |
| Rodrigo Velasquez | King City, CA | Team Member | Baker Management Group, Inc. |
| Kirsten Yoder | Shamokin Dam, PA | Team Member | V & L Drive-In |
Guadalupe Lopez, a team member from Craig, CO (Franchisee: Stewart Restaurant Group), was awarded the Janet L. Kuhn Scholarship, doubling their scholarship amount. Each year, one scholarship recipient is selected for this prestigious award, which recognizes a commitment to making a meaningful impact on others. To be considered, applicants must complete an additional essay describing the legacy they hope to leave behind.
Scholarships are just one way the KFC Foundation supports and empowers KFC restaurant employees and communities. The Foundation also provides programs focused on financial wellbeing, hardship assistance, and community giving.
KFC restaurant employees interested in applying for scholarships can visit kfcfoundation.org/scholarships to learn more. Those interested in working at a KFC restaurant can visit kfc.com/careers for more information about opportunities in their area.
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