'I was chasing opportunities': Woman who once washed dishes for Rs 144 an hour at 13 now leads fast-food restaurant chain

Catherine Tan-Gillespie, president of KFC US, started working as a dishwasher at the age of 13, earning just £1.20 (around Rs 144) an hour. Today, at 52, she leads the American business of one of the world's biggest fast-food chains. She credits her success to taking risks and choosing opportunities that helped her learn rather than focusing on money or job titles. "I wasn't chasing money, I wasn't chasing title," she told Fortune. "I was chasing opportunities that put me in the learning zone as opposed to in the comfort zone -- and tried to keep me out of the panic zone." From Restaurant Jobs To Corporate Leadership Raised in a middle-class British family, Tan-Gillespie began her career at the restaurant chain Beefeater while still at school. She started by washing dishes, later operated an ice cream machine and eventually became an assistant general manager. Her early experience taught her about teamwork, discipline and customer service. "I can say from firsthand experience, restaurant jobs are incredible in terms of the pressure, the pace, the teamwork, the accountability, the discipline of following standard operating procedures -- but then having your own personality to delight customers," she said. Tan-Gillespie became the first person in her family to attend university and graduated from the University of Plymouth in 1996. She later worked in marketing for companies including HP, Frito-Lay and Sony Pictures. Richard Branson Inspired Her Ambition Virgin Group founder Richard Branson influenced her career goals, inspiring her to follow his innovative approach to business. "I had this thesis that I want to see if I can be the female version of him, and that was really the genesis of everything I've done since," she said. After joining KFC South Pacific in 2015, she became global chief marketing officer in 2017. She took charge of KFC Canada in 2024 and became president of KFC US in April 2025. Her Advice For Gen Z Tan-Gillespie encourages young professionals to take chances instead of allowing fear to limit their choices. "Courage is not the absence of fear," she said. "Courage is actually feeling fearful about the future or jobs -- but actually just saying, 'Okay, what would I do if I wasn't scared?'" She also suggests asking one question when facing difficult decisions: "What's the worst that can happen?"