The KFC Foundation is awarding $2.5 million in scholarships, providing over 450 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, $5,000, or $2,500 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 $18 million in scholarships to more than 7,000 KFC restaurant employees.
The eleven $20,000 scholarship winners this year are:
| Name | City/State | Job Role | Franchisee |
| Edith Barrera | Sunnyside, WA | Shift Supervisor | Harman Management |
| Alondra Brito | Glendale, AZ | Team Member | PAK Foods |
| Mark Byerly | Sutton, WV | Team Member | KBP Foods |
| Abigail Davis | Willard, OH | Team Member | Abalar Fast Foods, Inc. |
| Jaydin Dofflemyer | Modesto, CA | Team Member | Harman Management |
| Arlee Griffin | Lockport, NY | Team Member | KBP Foods |
| Genesis Jorgensen | Yucaipa, CA | Team Member | Kentucky Fried Chicken of Polly’s, Inc. |
| Emma Larson | Murrysville, PA | Team Member | Ampex Brands |
| Alyssa Madrid | Torrance, CA | Team Member | RBD |
| Alexa Rosario | Whitehall, PA | Shift Supervisor | T R and J, Inc. |
| Keegan Smith | Diamond, IL | Team Member | Dave Brahmbhatt |
Kristian Early, a team member from Depew, NY (Franchisee: KBP Foods), was awarded the Janet L. Kuhn Scholarship, doubling his scholarship to $10,000. Each year, one scholarship recipient is selected for this prestigious award, which doubles their award amount. To be considered, applicants must complete an additional essay prompting what they want their legacy to be.
Two winners are graduates of the GED Achievement program—Jacob Klein, a team member from North Branch, MN (Franchisee: Stewart Restaurant Group), and Eugene Spear, a shift supervisor from Toms River, NJ (Franchisee: Kimsco, Inc.). Those who earn their GED through the KFC Foundation and meet minimum eligibility requirements are guaranteed a scholarship to further their education.
Scholarships are just one way the KFC Foundation supports, empowers, and serves joy to KFC restaurant employees and communities. The KFC Foundation also provides programs focused on financial and hardship assistance for KFC restaurant employees and community giving.
KFC restaurant employees interested in the scholarship program can go to kfcfoundation.org/scholarships to learn more, and those interested in working at a KFC restaurant can visit kfc.com/careers for more information about available job opportunities in their area.
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