Gene Bicknell celebrates his victory over the state of Kansas in a 16-year tax battle that involved more than $60 million. The Kansas Supreme Court ruled in his favor in May 2022, noting that he was a Florida resident when he sold his company NPC International, the largest owner of Pizza Hut franchises in the United States, in 2006.
The ruling means Kansas must refund him the taxes, interest, and penalties he paid under protest. According to Bicknell, who is also an artist, singer, and actor, the verdict gave him peace of mind and exoneration. He hoped it would save other people the same agony with state tax officials.
Early life
Bicknell was born in 1931 in Picher, Oklahoma. He had four brothers and one sister. He was a young child when his family traveled to Kansas. Bicknell attended college at what is now Pittsburg State University, where he held various jobs and earned his business degree. He also served in the US Air Force during the Korean War.
Gene Bicknell career
Gene Bicknell has had a diverse and distinguished career in diverse fields including business, entertainment, and philanthropy. He began his career as a salesman for Colgate-Palmolive and later became a regional manager for Pepsi-Cola. In 1962, Bicknell opened his first Pizza Hut restaurant in Pittsburg, Kansas, with a $1,600 loan. He soon expanded his business and became the largest Pizza Hut franchisee in the country with 790 locations in 26 states in 2006.
Bicknell broadened his business interests by becoming involved in banking, real estate, the oil and gas industry, entertainment, and philanthropy. In 2006, he offered his company NPC International to Merrill Lynch Global Private Equity for $615 million. He was also active in politics, running for governor of Kansas in 1986 and 1990 as a Republican.
Excelling in both business and the arts, Bicknell has pursued both of his passions. For the past 30 years, Bicknell has broadcast sports on radio and television on and off. Bicknell has appeared professionally in 24 films, episodic TV shows, TV commercials, and TV pilots. Notable roles include a baseball fury in The Warriors (1979), Cozzie in Neon Maniacs (1986), and Witt Hampton in Redemption of the Ghost (2002). He is also a musician and author. Bicknell has written the book Never Fry Bacon in the Nude, which provides insight for entrepreneurs.
Gene Bicknell Biography | |
|---|---|
| Real name | Gene Bicknell |
| birth date | 1931 |
| Age (as of 2024) | 92 years |
| Place of birth | United States |
| Profession | Author, Actor, Entrepreneur |
| University | Renowned university |
| qualification | graduate |
Physical Statistics | |
| Height | in feet inches – 5 feet 7 inches – in centimeters – 170 cm |
| Weight | in kilograms – 75kg – in pounds – 165 pounds |
| Hair color | Brown |
| eye color | Brown |
Gene Bicknell Family | |
| Father | – |
| Mother | – |
| Sister | – |
| Brother | – |
relationship status | |
| Marital status | Married |
| who is Gene Bicknell’s wife? | Cheryl Bicknell |
| Children | Marty Bicknell |
Personal life
Gene Bicknell is currently married to Cheryl Ann Bicknell whom he married in 2000. He was previously married to Rita Kaye Bicknell from 1954 to 1998. Mark, Mike, Melissa, and Michelle are Bicknell’s four children from his first marriage. He also has 12 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. For personal reasons, he moved to Florida with his wife in 2003.
social media
Gene Bicknell is active on social media platforms such as Twitter and YouTube, where he posts about his personal and professional life, as well as his opinions on politics and current events. Bicknell has more than 500 YouTube subscribers and more than 1,000 Twitter followers. His books, music, and podcasts are all promoted on his website. He uses social media to express his faith as a Christian and an American patriot, commenting on topics such as socialism, China, taxes, energy, and patriotism.
Gene Bicknell Net Worth
Gene Bicknell’s net worth ranges from $500,000 to $800,000 and he recently won a tax case against Kansas that could result in a refund of over $42 million plus interest. Bicknell made his fortune by owning the largest US Pizza Hut franchise network, which he later sold in 2006. In addition, he appeared in various films, which brought him quite a bit of wealth.