KFC Relocates U.S. Headquarters to Texas

Companies, , , ,

Kentucky Fried Chicken is moving its U.S. headquarters from Louisville, Kentucky, to Plano, Texas, in a significant shift for the fast-food chain long linked to its Southern roots. The relocation affects about 100 corporate employees, who will join Yum! Brands’ existing KFC and Pizza Hut teams in Plano over the next six months. An additional 90 remote workers will be asked to transition within the next 18 months.

This decision is part of a broader strategy by Yum! Brands, which also owns Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and Habit Burger & Grill. The company is implementing a dual-headquarters approach: Plano will serve as the central hub for KFC and Pizza Hut, while Irvine, California, will house Taco Bell and Habit Burger operations. Leadership says the goal is to foster in-person collaboration, improve company culture, and tap into talent pools in key markets.

The relocation aligns with a broader trend of companies consolidating operations in Texas to optimize logistics, reduce costs and take advantage of favorable tax structures, and adapt to evolving workforce expectations.

Despite the relocation, Yum! Brands will retain a corporate presence in Louisville. Plans include a new flagship KFC restaurant and a $1 million endowment to the University of Louisville’s College of Business. While the move reflects a shift in operational strategy, the company’s continued investment in the region suggests the brand’s ongoing commitment to its Kentucky origins.

Diraq Partners with Illinois Research Facility

Technology, , , ,

Australian company Diraq is expanding into the U.S. through a new partnership with the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) in Chicago. The company, which develops advanced quantum computing technology, has signed a letter of intent to establish a presence at the site through the park’s early-stage On-Ramp program, which allows tenants like Diraq to begin operations while the main IQMP campus is still under development.

Diraq builds quantum computers designed to handle complex problems that today’s computers can’t solve. What sets Diraq apart is its use of existing chip manufacturing techniques, which could make its approach more practical and scalable over time. By joining IQMP, the company gains early access to research facilities, equipment, and a growing network of partners in the field.

The park, supported by the University of Illinois and backed by state and federal funding, aims to accelerate innovation by bringing together companies, researchers, and government agencies working on quantum technology. Diraq’s involvement includes collaboration with U.S. institutions like Fermilab and DARPA, where it’s contributing to research projects in areas such as quantum sensing.

Diraq is aiming to continue to grow its network in the U.S. and connect with key players in the emerging quantum technology sector, and this partnership with IQMP will help both to make advances in the industry.

Anheuser-Busch to Invest $300M in Manufacturing and Veterans

Companies, , , , ,

Anheuser-Busch plans to invest $300 million in its U.S. operations in 2025, building on nearly $2 billion spent over the past five years to upgrade facilities and support its workforce. The new investment, part of the company’s Brewing Futures initiative, will focus on infrastructure improvements, job retention, and skills training across its nationwide network.

The company operates more than 100 facilities—including breweries, regional craft breweries, and agricultural sites—across at least 24 states. These include major presences in Missouri, New York, California, Colorado, Texas, Florida, Virginia, Georgia, Ohio, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Hawaii, and Idaho. The investment will be distributed across these locations to fund operational upgrades and support employment in the communities where Anheuser-Busch operates. Recent examples include $7 million in improvements at the Fairfield, California brewery and $10 million in upgrades to the Jacksonville, Florida facility.

Workforce development remains a core part of the initiative. In St. Louis, the company’s Technical Excellence Center has trained over 1,200 employees since 2022. A new Regional Excellence Center is scheduled to open in Columbus, Ohio, offering training to both Anheuser-Busch employees and local trade school students. The goal is to expand access to technical education and strengthen the pipeline of skilled workers in the manufacturing sector.

The investment also includes a partnership with the Manufacturing Institute’s Heroes MAKE America program. Through this initiative, Anheuser-Busch will be the first major U.S. manufacturer to implement a digital credentialing system that translates military experience into manufacturing qualifications. The system is intended to support veteran employment and improve hiring transparency. Veterans currently make up more than 10% of the company’s workforce, most of whom are in manufacturing roles.

Taken together, these efforts are expected to impact operations and employment across a wide range of U.S. communities. The investment aligns with broader trends in American manufacturing that emphasize local economic support and workforce readiness alongside capital improvements.

Google Enhances Safety with AI

Artificial Intelligence, , ,

In May 2025, Google introduced a set of new features aimed at strengthening online safety, quietly integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into products many people already use—like Chrome, Search, and Android phones. The updates are designed to help identify and flag concerning activity in real time, before users are affected by it.

The key tool behind these updates is called Gemini Nano, a type of AI that works directly on a device rather than relying on cloud servers. It monitors websites as visits happen in real time and highlights potentially misleading or deceptive behavior—such as imitation tech support pages—even when efforts are made to appear legitimate. Since the AI runs locally, it can respond more quickly and keep your data private.

Android devices running Chrome now display alerts when websites attempt to send suspicious or misleading notification requests. These tools give users the ability to block or review the requests, offering greater transparency and control over the browsing experience.

In Google Search, AI updates have helped filter low-quality or misleading content, including a significant drop in unofficial customer service. These improvements make it easier for people to find the correct contact information when seeking help.

The same kind of content detection is now built into the Messages and Phone apps on Android, which can alert users when a call or text may not be coming from a verified source—such as a message imitating a bank or service provider.

The goal isn’t to eliminate all online concerns, but to recognize more of them early—right at the point where people are most likely to encounter them.

Box Office Recovery Signals Broader Audience Engagement

Lifestyle, , , , ,

Movie theaters had their strongest weekend in a long time, with ticket sales in the U.S. and Canada more than doubling compared to the same time last year. Unlike in the past, when one big movie might drive all the excitement, several different films across genres helped push audiences back into theaters.


The top movie was Sinners from Warner Bros., which made $45 million in its second weekend—dropping only 6% from its debut. Typically, movies lose about half their earnings after opening weekend, so this small decline is unusual. So far, Sinners has earned $161.6 million worldwide, and premium screenings like IMAX made up a growing share of ticket sales.

In second place was a special re-release of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith for its 20th anniversary. It brought in $42.2 million worldwide, boosted by recent announcements related to the Star Wars franchise and benefitting from nostalgia-driven marketing.

The Accountant 2 from Amazon MGM Studios debuted in third place with $24.5 million, showing strong appeal among older audiences. A Minecraft Movie continued its successful run, adding $22.7 million in its fourth weekend. The video game-based film has now made $380 million in North America alone. Rounding out the top five was Until Dawn, another video game adaptation, which opened with $8 million.

Thanks to these films, total ticket sales for April are up 102% compared to last year, and the year’s overall box office is now tracking more than 10% ahead. Analysts say this momentum could set the stage for a strong summer season, starting with Disney’s Thunderbolts in early May.