By Thomas Sellers Jr.
Within eyeshot of the Millington First Baptist Church, Arby’s, Holiday Inn and Huey’s, a development has been underway for several months.
The 3 acres at the corner of West Union and Highway 51 North was transforming into the newest eatery in Flag City. After a long absence, the Kentucky Fried Chicken brand was back in Millington.
May 18 was the official opening day for KFC. KFC Area Coach for West Tennessee Wendall Teague and other leaders were on site throughout the day welcoming customers to the All-American Showman design KFC.
“I’m glad to be back in Millington,” Teague said. “The town has been without a KFC for a long time. We’re a new ownership. We didn’t own the old me and we’re here to make this one great and serve the community of Shelby County.”
Before the opening this week the nearest KFC was located in Atoka at 11200 Highway 51 South. Several years ago the chicken restaurant founded by Colonel Harland Sanders was located at 8322 Highway 51 North in Millington. That building is now an Advance Financial 24/7.
The history behind KFC started when Sanders began selling fried chicken from his roadside restaurant in Corbin, Ky., during the Great Depression. Sanders identified the potential of the restaurant franchising concept and the first “Kentucky Fried Chicken” franchise opened in Utah in 1952.
The brand new Millington KFC has a totally different exterior and interior design from the past location. The update-to-date lobby has bright LED lights, new Colonel Sanders photos and memorabilia throughout. The lobby area faces the side door and the front door leads to the dining area.
Part of the grand opening the dining area is open with certain tables marked closed and open to help enforce social distance.
“We’ve been training in different area restaurants for the past few months,” Teague noted. “We have a lot of new ones here and we’ve been doing a lot of training here, prepping food, cooking food and role playing like customers. We’re doing all that so we can give the best customer service we possibly can.”
With latest technology in the kitchen, a well-trained staff and friendly environment, Teague said what will have people traveling from Tipton County and Memphis to join the patrons of Millington is KFC’s oldest recipe of 11 herbs and spices.
“It’s going to be guaranteed to be hot and fresh every single time,” he concluded.
