KFC Alice Springs
You can hear Sam’s story at The GID Mindset: ‘Get It Done’ Breakfast with Christian Boucousis in Alice Springs on Tuesday 18 October 2022.
Sam Edelmen owns the 2 most remote KFC franchises in the world - in Alice Springs and Karratha.
He employs a team of about 150, including 10 managers.
Sam started at KFC in 1999 as a cook while in year 12 in Melbourne.
After completing school and briefly studying electronics and working in the 3D animation industry, he was offered a management job at KFC.
“I loved the culture so I took on the challenge and made it my career.”
He moved to Alice Springs 13 years ago when the KFC franchisee asked him to 'fix' the business.
“I fixed it so well that he sold it to me.”
Sam bought the Karratha franchise 5 years ago.
“It’s a tough gig operating 2 restaurants that are 2,100kms apart, but I love it and would do it again.”
Sam made national headlines in 2019 when he applied for a Michelin star for his Alice KFC.
He even went to Paris with his partner Jewelz and knocked on the Michelin head office door.
“It was an absolute blast - so many great memories were made. I met some brilliant Michelin chefs.”
Sam may not have got his Michelin star, but he has won a swag of in-house awards.
He puts his success down to resilience, being willing to work at least 60 hours a week at first and building a strong work team.
