Louisville, KY - KFC today announced the establishment of the KFC/UNCF Scholars Program, a scholarship program designed to nurture and build future leaders and entrepreneurs. The four-year scholarship will enable eligible students to attend one of the 39 United Negro College Fund-sponsored historically black colleges, with all expenses paid.

"At KFC, we actively develop a workforce that is diverse in style and background," said Chuck Rawley, president and chief operating officer, KFC. "With the establishment of this scholarship, it is our intention to build upon that tradition. The KFC/UNCF Scholars Program was developed because we are committed to helping create future generations of talented entrepreneurs who will bring new levels of innovation and productivity back to their communities."

The scholarship program will be offered beginning in the fall of 2000. Because of the vested interest KFC has in its workers, and in seeing them do well, the KFC/UNCF Scholars Program will select its winners from those students who have worked at KFC for at least one year. "Our employees are the best source for developing leadership potential within the company. We want to see them do more than just earn a paycheck," Rawley said. "We want them to learn how to manage and develop a complete payroll."

Students qualifying for the scholarship will have at least a 3.0 grade point average (and maintain that throughout their colleges careers), be involved in extra-curricular activities while in high school, and attend a UNCF-sponsored historically black college. Winners will also have the opportunity to take an internship at KFC corporate headquarters in Louisville or with any field or franchise restaurant operation.

In addition to funding the KFC/UNCF Scholars Program, KFC is a national co-sponsor of the UNCF’s "An Evening of Stars", which will take place on January 8th or 9th . Please check your local listings for date and time.

KFC, based in Louisville, KY, is the world’s most popular chicken restaurant chain specializing in Original Recipe® , Extra Crispy™ and Colonel’s Crispy Strips® chicken with homestyle sides and five new freshly made chicken sandwiches. Since its founding by Colonel Harland Sanders in 1952, KFC has been serving customers delicious, already-prepared complete family meals at affordable prices. There are more than 10,300 KFC outlets in 83 countries around the world serving nearly 8 million customers each day. KFC is a subsidiary of Tricon Global Restaurants, Inc., Louisville, KY. (NYSE: YUM)