James A. Collins

James A. Collins has had a distinguished, multi-faceted career. As franchisee of Kentucky Fried Chicken, chairman of Sizzler International, Inc., and CEO of Collins Foods International Inc., he established himself as a successful entrepreneur, as well as humanitarian and philanthropist who is dedicated to helping others.

Jim Collins was born in Huntington Park, California on December 20, 1926. Jim served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946 in the V-6 program. After he was discharged from the Navy he enrolled at UCLA and graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor's degree in civil engineering. Jim met his wife, Carol, at UCLA and married in 1950.

Jim began his restaurant career in 1952 when he opened Hamburger Handout, a self-service hamburger stand in Culver City. He became a franchisee of Kentucky Fried Chicken in 1960, and in 1967 purchased the Sizzler Family Steak House chain.

Jim is on the Board the Westside Family YMCA. He has also served on the boards of Lawry's Restaurants, Inc., AECOM, the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles, Boys & Girls Club of Venice, UCLA Foundation and Cal State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Collins School of Hospitality Management.