World's longest-serving KFC worker dies aged 74 after 47 years at same branch
Pauline Richards, 74, started at the branch in Taunton in Somerset in 1978 and was known as 'Miss KFC' to her loyal customers.
She worked nearly every possible role – cleaner, cashier, supervisor, manager and team leader – during her almost 50 years of service.
Her tenure at the branch set a record for the longest-serving KFC employee in the world.
Tributes have been paid to the cult hero, who was known for her banter, with customers remembering her as an 'absolute legend'.
One customer wrote: 'She was a beautiful soul and will be sadly missed.'
Her passing prompted Taunton Town Council to issue a statement as well, which said they were extremely saddened by her passing.
'She was an excited and incredibly deserving recipient of one of our Civic Awards back in March this year. Our thoughts are with her family and all of those who knew and loved her,' they added.
Other local businesses have chimed in with their condolences, including Spud Shack, who said: 'She will be very missed by everyone in Taunton. Pauline was very well known in the town for her dry sense of humour when dealing with people who were a tad intoxicated!'
Some customers said they remembered her for decades, writing: 'I feel I've known all my life, you fed me many a night on the town, during my teens, 20s, 30s, 40s and now 50s.
'A lovely hard-working lady, who will be sadly missed by many, I'm sure, thank you, Pauline, till we meet in the KFC in the sky.'
Speaking previously, Pauline told of her love of the job and how children used to give her sweet nicknames.
'When I go out for a break, children would shout over to me 'Hello Miss KFC' and call me 'Mum' and 'Nan',' she previously said.
'Even on a Friday and Saturday night here, you get customers and some young boys start singing my name out and they are pleased to see me.
'When I'm not in, they (the customers) are asking where I am. If I've been out, I get people asking why I'm not working tonight.'
Three generations of the Richards family have worked in the Taunton KFC, including Pauline's daughter and grandson.
But Pauline, latterly based at the branch in East Street, said her daughter left before long because 'it wasn't her cup of tea.'
Pauline's youngest colleague was just 17 years old, and she said she gets on well with youngsters, especially young men who she says often lean over the counter to give her a kiss on the cheek.
She also didn't have to pay for a drink in the local pub for two years.
'A lot of people on a night out come in looking for me. I go to a pub down the road and I see them down there. When I walk in the door, they get up from their seat like I am the Queen of Sheba,' she previously joked. More Trending
A KFC spokesperson previously said Pauline was 'an important role model in her local community and created a legacy the Colonel would be proud of'.
Locals are hoping to set up a memorial to her, with one man suggesting a bench in her honour.
'Perhaps somewhere in Vivary Park, in a sunny spot as she brought a ray of sunshine to us that met her in KFC over the years & made us all smile with her customer service banter,' they wrote.
Kathryn York, Chief People Officer at KFC, previously said: 'Pauline is a truly incredible team member who has brought buckets of enthusiasm, dedication, and heart to our restaurants for nearly five decades.'
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The Independent
4 days ago
- The Independent
Tributes after world's longest-serving KFC worker dies in UK town
The world's longest-serving KFC employee has died after working for the company for nearly 50 years. Tributes have been paid to Pauline Richards, known by many as Miss KFC, who first started working in the fried chicken chain's outlet in Taunton, Somerset, in 1978. She began her career as a cleaner but went on to take on almost every role in the store, including team leader and manager. Taunton Town Council described Mrs Richards as one of the town's 'most loved residents' and said she would be missed. 'All of us at Taunton Town Council are saddened to learn of the passing of one of Taunton's most loved residents, Pauline Richards, aka Miss KFC, the world's longest-serving member of KFC staff and a friendly, well-known face in our town,' the council said. 'She was an excited and incredibly deserving recipient of one of our civic awards back in March this year. 'Our thoughts are with her family and all of those who knew and loved her.' A KFC spokeswoman added: 'We're deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Pauline Richards. 'We are supporting Pauline's family, who have asked for their privacy to be respected during this difficult time.'
The Independent
5 days ago
- The Independent
Tributes paid after world's longest-serving KFC worker dies
Tributes have been paid to the world's longest-serving KFC employee who has died after working for the company for nearly 50 years. Pauline Richards, who was known by many as Miss KFC, first started working in the fried chicken chain's outlet in Taunton, Somerset, in 1978. She began her career as a cleaner but went on to take on almost every role in the store, including team leader and manager. Taunton Town Council described Mrs Richards as one of the town's 'most loved residents' and said she would be missed. 'All of us at Taunton Town Council are saddened to learn of the passing of one of Taunton's most loved residents, Pauline Richards, aka Miss KFC, the world's longest-serving member of KFC staff and a friendly, well-known face in our town,' the council said. 'She was an excited and incredibly deserving recipient of one of our civic awards back in March this year. 'Our thoughts are with her family and all of those who knew and loved her.' A KFC spokeswoman added: 'We're deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Pauline Richards. 'We are supporting Pauline's family, who have asked for their privacy to be respected during this difficult time.'
BBC News
5 days ago
- BBC News
Tributes paid to world's longest-serving KFC worker
Tributes have been paid to the world's longest-serving KFC employee, who has died after working in the same branch for 47 Richards, who was known by many as Miss KFC, first started working in Taunton's East Street restaurant in began her career as a cleaner but went on to take on almost every role in the store, including team leader and have poured in from Taunton residents and businesses who described her as a kind and compassionate woman who had a dry sense of humour. Taunton Town Council said it was saddened to learn of Ms Richards' death and described her as a friendly and well-known face in the town."She was an excited and incredibly deserving recipient of one of our Civic Awards back in March this year," a spokesperson for the council said."Our thoughts are with her family and all of those who knew and loved her." Speaking to BBC Radio Somerset in January, Ms Richards said she did not initially plan to stay at the branch forever but "just enjoyed it"."I love working here, I like meeting people and it's my favourite food, is chicken," she the time, manager Beth Sutton said customers would visit the branch every day purley to see Ms Richards."They call her Nan or Mrs Chicken or Mum," Ms Sutton said. "Everyone really comes in to see her mainly, just as much as they do the chicken." Hundreds of people have posted their condolences on social media after Ms Richard's death was announced."Pauline will never be forgotten," said Wendie Noble. "[I] had the pleasure of working with her at KFC when my children were younger. "[She was] such a kind and compassionate lady who never forgot you and always stopped for a chat."Amy Capon added: "She was a character, always made me chuckle, had a fantastic work relationship with my son also. Such sad news, but take comfort in the fact 90% of the town are grieving with you."The team at Spud Shack in Taunton said Ms Richards will be "missed by everyone" in the area."Pauline was very well known in the town for her dry sense of humour when dealing with people who were a tad intoxicated. Rest in peace Pauline."KFC has been contacted for comment.
