KFC has long been a favorite with many worldwide. If someone wants chicken fried in various herbs and spices, they know where to go. However, this might not be possible anymore.
Several Illinois KFC locations were suddenly closed down within the last few weeks, automatically implementing mass layoffs. With employees getting barely any warning of this happening, other KFC employees are worried that the same could happen to them.
Various KFC Locations Have Shut Down
Multiple Illinois KFC locations have been shut down. This includes restaurants in Washington, Peoria, Bartonville and Bloomington. All of these locations were shut with immediate effect, and employees have been left to pick up the pieces.
Three Rockford locations have also been shut down, as well as two locations in Champaign. The Decatur, Mattoon and Clinton locations have also been forced to shut down.
A Difficult Decision
According to KFC’s parent company Yum, the decision to close these locations was difficult. They released a statement on this decision, which confirmed that some of KFC’s Illinois locations have been shut down.
Within the statement, the company claimed that while the franchisee and the brand had to make this decision, they were grateful to all the customers who have walked through their doors over the years.
People Aren’t Surprised
Despite KFC being a popular fast food brand, many people aren’t at all surprised that some of its locations are shutting down. One social media user has said that the quality of the chicken has gone down in the last few years, which they believe caused customers to stay away from the restaurants.
Others have said that while they liked the chicken, they felt the prices had reached heights that they could no longer afford, with some adding that they had experienced unfriendly employees who made them feel like they shouldn’t visit the restaurants anymore.
Employees Felt They Had Done Something Wrong
One KFC maintenance employee who had worked at several Illinois locations said that the director of operations had called him to let him know that his position was being terminated. The employee immediately asked for written confirmation.
He was then sent an email that outlined the terms of the termination. Due to the sudden circumstances of this, he said he was made to feel that he had done something wrong when it turns out the real reason was the locations he worked at shutting down.
Issues With EYM Group
These closures come after several issues with EYM Group, the parent company of EYM Chicken. The company has had various legal disputes with Yum Brands, KFC’s parent company.
These issues have mostly been caused by the performance of its Pizza Hut locations, with EYM accusing Yum Brands of being behind its competitors in terms of technology and operational practices.
EYM Chicken Owned 47 Stores
Before these closures, EYM Chicken was confirmed to be in ownership of 47 stores by the end of 2023. As it has closed 25 of these locations, the company has lost more than half of its restaurant locations.
It is currently unknown whether these closures will mean that other stores under its ownership will close at a later date, but chicken lovers hope that this will not be the case.
Many Fast Food Brands Are Shutting Their Doors
KFC isn’t the only fast food brand that has been forced to close some of its locations in the last few months. In June, 19 Pizza Hut locations in Ohio and Indiana were closed, and Pizza Hut franchisee EYM Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in July.
Other chains that have had to shut down their locations include Buca di Beppo, Hooters and Rubio’s Coastal Grill. Many are worried that this could spell the end for much-loved fast-food chains.
Signs Were Put Up Outside Stores
Not only have these closures shocked KFC employees, but they were also a surprise to those who turned up at their local KFC store expecting to get some fried chicken. Instead, they were greeted by some signs announcing the closure of the store.
These signs mentioned that they were grateful to customers for their loyalty to the store over the years, but the decision to close was the right decision for the store at this time.
Some Illinois Stores Are Still Open
Even though multiple KFC locations have closed in Illinois, some are still open. This includes the stores in Galesburg and Macomb, with many hoping they won’t go the same way as the other restaurants.
As this is all a sign of the times, no one can possibly tell what the future holds. While KFC is one of the more prominent fast-food brands, the fact that multiple chains have recently shut down stores or filed for bankruptcy shows that the fast-food industry isn’t thriving as it once was.
KFC Locations Have a History of Bad Things Happening to Them
While many may have thought that restaurants having to close down is the worst thing that could happen to a brand, some of the KFC restaurants that have been shut down have had other bad things happen to them.
The Machesney Park location initially opened as a KFC/Long John Silvers combo restaurant. However, a fire in 2017 that destroyed the restaurant led to KFC being opened as a standalone store.
Potential to Reopen in the Future?
It is currently unknown whether these closures are permanent or temporary. Many are hoping that they are only temporary so that they can soon go back to their trusted fried chicken that they have always loved.
However, this isn’t a guarantee. Before this could happen, a buyer for these locations would need to be found, but only time will tell whether the right person or company can come and get things back up and running.
