Memorial services remain uncertain for Kristen Pierce-Sherrod, daughter of the founder of Chicago’s Black-owned Harold’s Chicken Shack chain, which expanded to multiple U.S. states under her leadership as CEO.
Pierce-Sherrod died earlier this month. She was 55. Her family did not disclose the cause of death and has not said whether there will be a memorial service to celebrate her life.
Pierce-Sherrod’s death was shared in a since-deleted statement posted to Instagram on behalf of both Harold’s Chicken Corporate and the Chicago Children’s Equestrian Center, an organization she founded.
“On behalf of Harold’s Chicken Corporate and the Chicago Children’s Equestrian Center, we are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our Chief Executive Officer, Kristen D. Pierce-Sherrod,” read a statement cited by CBS News. “The family extends their sincere gratitude for the outpouring of prayers and condolences. At this time, we kindly ask that their privacy be respected during this time of bereavement.”
In 1988, Pierce-Sherrod inherited the Harold’s Chicken chain following the death of her father, Harold Pierce. In 2021, she and her husband, Vincent Sherrod, co-founded the Chicago Children’s Equestrian Center to introduce horse riding and provide mentorship to at-risk youth, children with special needs, and young adults across Chicago.
Pierce-Sherrod was best known as CEO of Harold’s Chicken, the beloved Chicago food institution that celebrated its 75th anniversary last year, decades after its founding on the South Side.
Born in Midway, Alabama, Harold Pierce moved to Chicago in 1943 during the Great Migration. In 1950, Pierce and his wife, Hilda, founded his chicken empire with a small restaurant in Bronzeville called H&H. The restaurant served dumplings and chicken feet. Gene Rosen, a friend who owned a nearby poultry shop, sold poultry to Pierce, according to the Harold’s Chicken website.
With $800, a chicken fryer, and his own recipe, Harold Pierce began his fried chicken business. He cooked chicken from scratch rather than pre-frying it. Seasoned with lemon pepper and special sauce, his crispy fried chicken became an instant hit and drew loyal fans across the country.
The first Harold’s Chicken eatery was located at 47th Street and Greenwood Avenue in Kenwood. The second location opened at 64th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue.
According to Black Enterprise, by 1975 more than 20 Harold’s Chicken Shacks operated across Chicago. By the time Pierce died in 1988, there were approximately 30 to 40 storefronts. The franchise now includes multiple operators, with Laverne Burnett operating the most locations.
Harold Pierce was known as a perfectionist who held high standards for his cooking. His chain became a staple in Black Chicago and a symbol of pride. Not all Harold’s Chicken locations are the same, as operators over the years added their own twists to the signature recipe.
Seeking to carry on her father’s legacy, Kristen Pierce-Sherrod expanded Harold’s Chicken locations into Indiana, Georgia, Arizona, California, Texas, Minnesota, Nevada, and Iowa.
“Harold’s was a family,” Pierce-Sherrod said in a 2022 interview. “We had a lot of people who knew my dad, and they were family as well…. Everyone got along. If anyone had a dispute, everyone would settle the dispute within the family. Everyone knew each other. I was raised around everyone in the business, so it was a big, extended family.”
Fans are now celebrating Pierce-Sherrod’s life and community service. Her death earlier this month prompted tributes from across the nation.
In a statement, Alderman Lamont Robinson said:
“Today, we pause with heavy hearts to remember Kristen Pierce-Sherrod, CEO of Harold’s Chicken Shack, and a remarkable leader whose impact stretched far beyond business.
“As a proud South Side native, this loss feels personal. The first Harold’s opened at 47th and Greenwood, right here in the 4th Ward, and grew into a cornerstone of our culture—a place woven into everyday life for generations. Kristen honored that history, guiding Harold’s forward while keeping its foundation firmly rooted in the community that built it.
“On behalf of the 4th Ward, I extend my sincere condolences to the Sherrod family and the entire Harold’s family. May we continue to honor Kristen’s life by supporting the institutions and initiatives that strengthen our neighborhoods and open doors for the next generation.”