ILLINOIS (WMBD) – Four KFC fast-food locations in Illinois abruptly closed Monday morning, according to former restaurant employees.
Eighteen-year-old Andrew Bush, a former restaurant employee of about a year-and-a-half, said he received a call from his corporate KFC district manager at about 9 a.m. Monday regarding the permanent closure of the Washington, Illinois, location. The restaurant is located at 1106 Peoria Street.
WMBD-TV called the Pekin location Monday afternoon and a former employee said their restaurant is currently closed. The restaurant is located in East Court Village at 3485 Court Street. Crews with WMBD-TV visited a Peoria location at 8905 North Allen Road, where they confirmed that the restaurant location is also closed.
A KFC restaurant in Bartonville has also closed until further notice.
The stores will remain closed until the locations have new owners.
Restaurant employees sign in Bartonville, Illinois.
Parent-company, Yum, provided the following statement regarding the sudden closures:
“We can confirm that some KFC locations in the area have closed. The decision to close a restaurant is always difficult for both the franchisee and the brand. We appreciate the patronage of our loyal guests.”
Several Illinois KFC locations are currently owned by EYM Chicken Operations, which owns other locations in Wisconsin and Indiana.
There are nearly 150 KFC locations in Illinois.
This story will be updated.
