John Y. Brown, Jr.

John Y. Brown Jr. (born December 28, 1933), U.S. Democratic Party politician and businessman, He served as Governor of Kentucky from 1980 to 1984. He was born in Lexington, Kentucky and graduated from the University of Kentucky, where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta, earning both an undergraduate degree and a law degree. From 1959 to 1965, he served in the United States Army Reserve. Shortly after completing his term as Governor, he made an aborted bid for the United States Senate seat held by Walter Huddleston. In 1987, he ran unsuccessfully for a second term as Governor, losing to Wallace G. Wilkinson.

Business Interests

In 1964, Brown bought Kentucky Fried Chicken from its founder, Colonel Sanders, and built the company into one of the world's largest fast food chains, before selling it in 1971. From 1973 to 1975, he was the owner of the Kentucky Colonels ABA team. In 1976, he purchased the Buffalo Braves, the NBA team that would later become the Los Angeles Clippers. From 1978 to 1979, he owned the Boston Celtics NBA team. Following his term as Governor, he resumed his career in the restaurant industry. In 1991, he formed a partnership with recording artist Kenny Rogers, co-founding and serving as CEO of Kenny Rogers Roasters, an international chain of wood-roasted chicken restaurants, achieving the highest sales records of any chicken restaurant chain. Since 1990, he has founded several other restaurants including Miami Subs, Chicken By George, and Roadhouse Grill. He lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Related Topics:
1964 - Kentucky Fried Chicken - Colonel Sanders - 1971 - 1973 - 1975 - Kentucky Colonels - ABA - 1976 - NBA - Los Angeles Clippers - 1978 - 1979 - Boston Celtics - 1991 - Kenny Rogers - 1990 - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

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