Gene Bicknell is celebrating his victory over the state of Kansas in a 16-year tax dispute that involved more than $60 million. The Kansas Supreme Court ruled in his favor in May 2022, finding that he was a Florida resident when he sold his company, NPC International, the largest owner of Pizza Hut franchises in the US, in 2006.
The ruling means that Kansas will have to refund him the taxes, interest, and penalties that he had paid under protest. The verdict, according to Bicknell, who is also an artist, singer, and actor, has eased and vindicated him. He hoped it would spare other people from going through the same agony with the state’s tax officials.
Early Life
Bicknell was born in Picher, Oklahoma, in 1931. He had four brothers and one sister. He was a little child when his family traveled to Kansas. Bicknell attended college at what is now Pittsburg State University, where he earned his degree in business while working various jobs. Throughout the Korean War, he also served in the US Air Force.
Gene Bicknell Career
Gene Bicknell has had a diverse and successful career in various fields, such as business, entertainment, and philanthropy. He started 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 stores in 26 states by 2006.
Bicknell expanded his business interests by getting involved in banking, real estate, the oil and gas industry, entertainment, and philanthropy. In 2006, he offered Merrill Lynch Global Private Equity his business, NPC International, for $615 million. He has also been active in politics, having competed as a Republican for governor of Kansas in 1986 and 1990.
Bicknell has excelled in business as well as the arts, pursuing both of his passions. Throughout the past 30 years, Bicknell has intermittently broadcast sports on radio and television. Bicknell has acted professionally in 24 movies, episodic TV shows, TV commercials, and TV pilots. Some of his 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 an author. Bicknell wrote the book “Never Fry Bacon in the Nude”, which offers insights for entrepreneurs.
Gene Bicknell Biography |
|
|---|---|
| Real Name | Gene Bicknell |
| Birth Date | 1931 |
| Age (as of 2023) | 91 Years |
| Birth Place | United States |
| Profession | Writer, Actor, Entrepreneur |
| College | Prestigious University |
| Qualification | Graduate |
Physical Statistics |
|
| Height | in feet inches – 5’ 7” – in Centimeters – 170 cm |
| Weight | in Kilograms – 75 kg – in Pounds – 165 lbs |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Eye Color | Brown |
 |
|
Family |
|
| Father | – |
| Mother | – |
| Sister | – |
| Brother | – |
Relationship Status |
|
| Marital Status | Married |
| Who is his wife? | Cheryl Bicknell |
| Children | Marty Bicknell |
Personal Life
Gene Bicknell is currently married to Cheryl Ann Bicknell, whom he wed 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 initial marriage. Along with that, he has 12 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He relocated to Florida with his wife in 2003 for personal reasons.
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 affairs. 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 utilizes social media to express his beliefs as a Christian and an American patriot and to make comments on topics including socialism, China, taxation, energy, and patriotism.
Gene Bicknell Net Worth
Gene Bicknell’s net worth is between $500,000 and $800,000 and he recently won a tax case against Kansas that could result in a refund of over $42 million plus interest. Bicknell acquired his wealth from his ownership of the largest US network of Pizza Hut franchises, which he later sold in 2006. Additionally, he appeared in various films, which brought in some wealth for him.