The unexpected death of Kristen Pierce-Sherrod, CEO of Harold’s Chicken, was announced by her family. She was 55.

Last week, her family shared the news of her passing via social media, choosing to keep the circumstances surrounding her death private.

In a post, which has since been removed, the family expressed their profound sadness over the loss of their Chief Executive Officer.

“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 period of mourning,” they requested.

Pierce-Sherrod was the daughter of Harold Pierce, the founder of the notable Chicago-based chicken chain.

Harold Pierce, alongside his wife Hilda, established the company in 1950 in Chicago, initially naming it H&H. Their restaurant was known for its specialty dishes of dumplings and chicken feet, according to the company’s website.

The local butcher gave him chicken and he used his recipe to make fried chicken – eventually opening Harold’s Chicken Shack in the Kenwood neighborhood. 

‘My father was a young Black man from the South with a dream,’ his daughter told ABC 7 in 2024. 

‘He worked hard during a time when African Americans weren’t capable of obtaining any businesses or funding. And his hard work paid off.’ 

The family of Kristen Pierce-Sherrod announced her death on social media last week, but did not reveal her cause of death

She has been the CEO of Harold’s Chicken since 2000. Her father (pictured together) started the restaurant in 1950 

Her father started the business out of necessity, as many chain restaurants avoided black neighborhoods. In turn, he wasn’t allowed to expand his restaurant business into more populated areas, such as downtown, due to legal and social obstacles. 

At the time, Harold’s was one of the few thriving black-owned businesses in the community, the company said. 

It celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2024. 

‘It’s the best chicken around,’ Pierce-Sherrod said in 2024. ‘That’s why we’re so successful. The others can’t compete ’cause they can’t compare.

‘It’s a part of Chicago.’  

Harold’s has since expanded across eight states since its inception. It has been name-checked by Chicago rappers, like Chance and Lupe Fiasco, ABC 7 reported. 

Pierce-Sherrod began co-managing the family business with her mother in 2000, and she served as CEO for more than 20 years. 

‘I’ve been dealing with Harold’s all my life,’ she said in a 2022 video. 

Pierce-Sherrod began co-managing the family business with her mother in 2000, and she served as CEO for more than 20 years 

Pierce-Sherrod was also the CEO of the Chicago Children’s Equestrian Center, which she co-founded with her husband, Vincent Sherrod, in 2021

Her father started the business out of necessity, as many chain restaurants avoided black neighborhoods

At the time, Harold’s was one of the few thriving black-owned businesses in the community

Her father died in 1988 of prostate cancer.  

Pierce-Sherrod was also the CEO of the Chicago Children’s Equestrian Center, which she co-founded with her husband, Vincent Sherrod, in 2021. 

It helps children learn equestrian and self-love. 

The Daily Mail has reached out to Harold’s for comment.