TFC founder, Yinka Adedayo smiles again

THERE was joy, grace, and healing in the air as Mrs Olayinka Pamela Adedayo, the celebrated founder of Tastee Fried Chicken (TFC), marked her 75th birthday in Lagos. Returning to the public eye with renewed warmth after the tragic loss of her only son, Olubunmi, in 2013.

Friends, family, and business associates gathered to honour  Adedayo, whose influence extends far beyond Nigeria’s fast-food scene. The event, reflected her status as a pioneer in the Quick Service Restaurant industry and a respected matriarch of Lagos society.

The Adedayos’ heartbreak began when Olubunmi, their beloved son and Executive Director at TFC, passed away at age 36 from pneumonia complications while abroad. The tragedy led them to retreat briefly from the spotlight. But over time, they found solace in faith, philanthropy, and the continuation of Bunmi’s compassionate legacy through the Bunmi Adedayo Foundation (BAF), supporting education for underprivileged children.

Guests described the evening as both joyous and poignant, a reminder of the resilience Mrs. Adedayo has displayed. Her smile, her grace, and her spirit of giving have become emblematic of the healing journey she embarked on since her son’s passing.

Speeches highlighted her enduring contributions to business, philanthropy, and mentorship, as well as the deep impact of her son’s vision carried forward through BAF, which offers scholarships, school rehabilitation, talent hunts, and leadership training to less privileged children.

On this milestone birthday, Mrs Adedayo reclaimed a presence she had once quietly relinquished. She emerged radiant,not defiantly content, but comforted in the knowledge that her life’s work and her son’s values continue to uplift others. It was a night where grief gave way to gratitude, and society celebrated not just an age, but the triumph of a spirit profoundly rooted in service, love, and legacy.

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