Wallace W. Fowler: Arkansas Business Hall of Fame

Wallace W. Fowler’s 50-year plus career took off in 1965 when he started buying Kentucky Fried Chicken franchises with several business partners. He built Fowler Foods to 93 KFC outlets over a seven-state region, growing his franchises to the fourth largest number in the country. He was chairman of the National Franchisee Association and the “go-to” guy between franchisees and the parent company. During this time, Fowler met the KFC Colonel and still owns his Cadillac limousine today. When he and partners sold most of the franchises in 1985, he was offered the chairmanship of Mercantile Bank in Jonesboro and began investing in banking. Today he is chair and CEO of Liberty Bank of Arkansas and continues as chair and CEO of Fowler Foods. One of Fowler’s greatest assets is his passion for success in each of the fields he has entered.

Former Governor Bill Clinton appointed Fowler to the Arkansas Industrial Development Commission. The Fowlers gave $5 million for the Fowler Center for the Performing Arts at Arkansas State University and $1.75 million for the Wallace and Jama Fowler House, the University of Arkansas chancellor’s residence.

 

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