Our Story

From a single Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) franchise in 1965 to 144 restaurants and counting in 2022. Fulenwider Enterprises, Inc. has a long history of service, quality and integrity in business. The family– owned and operated company celebrated its 50-year anniversary in 2015. Fulenwider has two offices, one in Morganton, NC and the other in Charlotte, NC.

It all started with family patriarch and company founder, Verbon Fulenwider, who was an early franchisee of KFC. He worked this first restaurant with his family– running the register while his wife Helen Fulenwider and son Russ Fulenwider, packed meals and son Mike Fulenwider, fried the chicken. The Fulenwider family acquired the rights to franchise its first Taco Bell location in 1997. They also operated 2 Firehouse subs locations, in North Carolina, until 2020.

Family-Style Management

As Verbon reached retirement, his son Mike took over the business. Mike served as the company CEO until he passed in March of 2020. He had brought his children, Michael Fulenwider, who now serves as President/CEO of the business, and Virginia Fulenwider who leads marketing efforts. The siblings comprise the third generation of Fulenwider’s to run the family business. In 2017, Brian Goldstein joined the Fulenwider Family as the Chief Operations Officer/Owner and now also serves as President. He joined the team with 30+ years KFC/Taco Bell experience, including 4 years as the COO of KFC US.

In 2022, Fulenwider Enterprises operates 149 different restaurants in 6 states and employs over 3,600 people. In addition to Yum! Brand Franchises, Fulenwider Enterprises operates Butch’s BBQ and Breakfast which offers catering services in addition to quick service dining, as well as Colonel’s Pantry.