Gene Bicknell Net Worth 2025: From Pizza Hut To Millions

Learn the true Gene Bicknell Net Worth and income sources, including NPC International, plastics, real estate, and his Kansas tax settlement.

Aug 31, 2025

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Biography

Gene Bicknell was born in Picher, Oklahoma, and raised in a large, hardworking family that valued honesty and strong work habits. His family later moved to Kansas, and when he was 16 he attended Pittsburg State University, working his way through college and later returning to earn his MBA. He first worked at Goodyear in 1955 and then sold life insurance for New York Life before buying his first Pizza Hut franchises in 1962.

Over time, he built these into Southeast Pizza Huts, then National Pizza Company, now known as NPC International, the largest Pizza Hut franchisee in the world, with over 1,100 locations; he sold his stake in 2006. Meanwhile, he founded Pitt Plastics in 1971, a leading maker of plastic can liners and storage bags, and later created other companies like Zouire, which sells promotional apparel.

Gene served his community in many ways. He was the youngest mayor of Pittsburg, Kansas, and held roles on the school board, city council, and various boards including those for education and healthcare. He also started the O. Gene Bicknell Center for Entrepreneurship at Pittsburg State University and taught entrepreneurship courses at several universities.

His charitable work includes founding the Gene Bicknell Celebrity Charity Golf Tournament in 1991, which raised over $1.3 million for Pittsburg State and Mt. Carmel Medical Center. In recognition of his contributions, he received many honors, such as the Ernst & Young Master Entrepreneur of the Year, an honorary doctorate, and facilities named after him at Pittsburg State University.