The Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise celebrates its 50th anniversary in Valdosta this month, the same 50 years the franchise has been a member of the Valdosta – Lowndes Chamber.

“We joined the Chamber in 1965, even before we made our first dollar,” says KFC Valdosta President Owen Harris.  “If you’re going to be in business in this community, and you care about seeing your community grow, you have to join the Chamber.”

After Colonel Sanders sold KFC to investors in 1964, the very first franchise was sold to Owen and Nelda Harris.

 “It was much simpler then,” says Harris.  “My wife Nelda was right there from the start, working with me side by side. We had a very simple menu, and there was virtually no technology involved in the operation. And the workforce was easier to train. People learn differently now, compared to the early days.”

Today, that franchise has grown to three restaurants in Valdosta, employing 95 workers.

“I’m mostly retired now,” says Harris, who celebrates his 81st birthday this month.  Son Tim Harris is the Vice President of the company now, although he is certainly no newcomer to the business.  “I was born in a (KFC chicken) bucket,” says Tim.   “I started working at the restaurants when I was 10, helping the cooks, doing cleaning chores.  By the time I was 18, I had done it all.”

Outside of work, Tim Harris has been called Valdosta State University’s biggest fan.  He graduated from VSU with a degree in business, and says what he learned in his real world work experience in business helped him through his college studies.  In addition to his leadership role with KFC, he also is owner of a new business in Downtown Valdosta.  Stogie’s Downtown is a cigar bar with fine cigars, domestic and craft beers and fine wines.

Owen’s advice for startup businesses?  “Be prepared to spend long hours, make certain you are properly financed, and be sure you hire the best employees you possibly can. And join the Chamber.”

What the Harris team would change that could make their business better?  “We need to get a handle on the Federal regulations that are crippling businesses,” says Tim.  “The Affordable Care Act, changes in overtime and FLSA rules are making it more difficult to do business in the U.S.”  He also noted the problem of large trucks in Downtown Valdosta, which are a hindrance to many businesses that have sidewalk tables for customers, like Stogie’s. 

“The Chamber does an excellent job of advocating for our local businesses on issues like this on all the levels of government,” said Owen.  “I’ve often gone on the annual Chamber trip to Washington, DC, which really does a lot of good and makes a big difference.  This is especially true for Moody AFB.” 

“The Chamber also does a great job with the Drugs Don’t Work program,” Tim said.  “It saves us thousands of dollars each year on our Workers Comp insurance, and provides a safer work environment for our team.”

The Harris Family and KFC are a 50 year old partnership– committed to providing good jobs for their employees, and proud to be a part of the Valdosta community and the Chamber of Commerce.  

Owen was chairman of the Chamber Board in 1987, a year that overlapped with his presidency of the Southeastern KFC Franchise Association.  In addition to supporting the Chamber and VSU, the family also supports Moody AFB through Red Carpet of South Georgia, a very effective organization Tim co-founded a few years ago to support the personnel at Moody AFB.

The entire Chamber membership and staff wish KFC – and Owen, Nelda and Tim Harris – a happy 50th anniversary in business, and in the Chamber, said Myrna Ballad, Chamber president.

 

Chamber Members with 50+ Years of Membership:

Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM)

Arthur Herndon Company Real Estate, Inc.

Atlanta Gas Light

AT&T Georgia

Barnes Healthcare Services

Blanton & Griffin Insurance Agency

Carson McLane Funeral Home

Citizens Community Bank

Coleman Talley, LLP

Commercial Banking Company

First Federal Savings of Valdosta

First State Bank and Trust Company

Georgia Power Company

Griffin Corporation

Kentucky Fried Chicken

Langdale Ford Company

Laws Furniture Central

Mink Chiropractic Center, LLC

Radiology Associates of Valdosta

Valdosta Country Club

Valdosta Daily Times

Valdosta Insurance Services, Inc.

Western Auto Stores

The Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce is a private, not-for-profit membership organization that serves as the voice of business in Lowndes County. The Chamber advocates for more than 1300 area businesses led by a dedicated volunteer board of directors. The Chamber has been Five-Star Accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce since 2008.