KFC, a popular fast-food chain, has recently announced the closure of several of its locations in Illinois, adding to the growing list of restaurant chains shutting down in 2024. Multiple news outlets reported the closure of various KFC restaurants in different areas of Illinois.
In the Peoria area, all five KFC restaurants have been closed down. These locations were situated at 1106 Peoria St., Washington; 8905 N. Allen Road, Peoria; 5601 S. Washington St., Bartonville; 927 W. Jackson St., Morton; and 3485 E. Court St., Pekin. The decision to close these restaurants was described as a difficult one for both the franchisee and the brand.
Additionally, KFC shuttered locations in the Rockford area, including restaurants at 1502 Kilburn Ave., Rockford; 3035 11th St., Rockford; 1586 West Lane Road, Machesney Park; and 1160 N. State St, Belvidere. Other closures were reported in Bloomington, Pontiac, and Springfield.
While the exact number of closures in Illinois was not immediately confirmed by KFC, reports indicated that several locations in the Champaign and Decatur areas, as well as in Mattoon and Clinton, were also shut down.
KFC's parent company, Yum Brands, which also owns Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and The Habit Burger Grill, has been facing challenges along with other fast-food chains. Pizza Hut recently closed 19 locations in Ohio and Indiana, with some franchisees filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Other chains like Buca di Beppo, Hooters, and Rubio's Coastal Grill have also bid farewell to multiple restaurant locations.
As the fast-food industry continues to navigate through changes and challenges, the closures of KFC locations in Illinois reflect a broader trend affecting various restaurant chains across the country.
