KFC US president on career growth over money or titles: Started as dishwasher at 13

From dishwasher to president: A career built on learning

Catherine Tan-Gillespie, appointed president of KFC US in April 2025, began her career at 13 as a dishwasher at Beefeater, a British restaurant chain, earning £1.20 an hour. The role was her first step in a journey she describes as focused on professional growth rather than financial rewards or prestigious titles.

Raised in a middle-class British family, Tan-Gillespie was the first in her family to attend university. Her early jobs—from operating ice cream machines to becoming an assistant general manager—taught her skills like teamwork, accountability, and performing under pressure, which she credits as foundational to her leadership style.

Inspiration and career philosophy

Tan-Gillespie has cited Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group, as a key inspiration. She aimed to emulate his entrepreneurial spirit, striving to become what she called the "female Richard Branson." This mindset shaped her approach to career opportunities, prioritizing environments where she could learn and thrive over those offering immediate financial or status-driven rewards.

Her career spans roles at HP, Frito-Lay, and Sony Pictures before joining KFC in 2015. She led KFC South Pacific, became global chief marketing officer in 2017, and took charge of KFC Canada in 2024. In each role, she emphasized workplace cultures that allowed her to grow, leaving companies where she felt stifled.

Leading KFC US amid challenges

As president of KFC US, Tan-Gillespie now faces the task of reviving the chain’s American business. The role comes at a time of intensifying competition and shifting consumer preferences in the restaurant industry, requiring a balance of operational expertise and innovative thinking.

Her leadership philosophy reflects her early experiences: she admires younger employees for their clarity in ambition and willingness to advocate for themselves. This perspective informs how she approaches mentorship and team development at KFC.

What this means

Lazyfounder analysis — our interpretation, not reported fact.

Tan-Gillespie’s career trajectory offers a counter-narrative to the common startup and corporate playbook that often prioritizes rapid scaling, fundraising, or flashy titles. For founders and operators, her story underscores the value of long-term learning and resilience—qualities that can be overshadowed in industries fixated on quick exits or valuation milestones.

Her emphasis on workplace culture also serves as a reminder for early-stage companies: environments that foster growth and accountability are not just HR buzzwords but critical drivers of retention and innovation. For operators in competitive sectors like food and beverage, where margins are thin and consumer tastes fickle, her focus on adaptability and team dynamics could be a blueprint for navigating industry headwinds.

Finally, her rise from entry-level roles to leadership challenges the notion that career progression must follow a traditional corporate ladder. For founders, especially those building teams in emerging markets, this flexibility in career paths could be a tool for attracting talent who may not fit conventional molds but bring diverse, hands-on experience.

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