Popular fast-food chicken restaurant abruptly closes in Springfield

A popular fast food chicken restaurant may have left the Springfield area forever.

The Kentucky Fried Chicken at 3150 S. Sixth St. closed abruptly Monday night.

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“We would like to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude for your loyal support over the years. It is with mixed emotions that we announce the closure of our store,” read a sign on the restaurant door. “We understand that this news comes as a surprise, but we believe it is the right decision for us at this time. We want to thank each and every one of you for your continued patience and understanding during this transition. Your support has meant the world to us and we are truly grateful for all the memories we have shared with you.”

On Tuesday morning, buckets full of water and cleaning fluid could still be seen in the store. The checkout counter was full of boxes and buckets of take-out chicken, and a vacuum cleaner lay on the floor next to the counter.

Yum, the parent company that owns the KFC on South Sixth Street, has apparently shut down across the state, confirming the closure of all five Peoria-area locations and all three Rockford-area locations.

“We can confirm that some KFC locations in the area have closed,” a spokesperson told The Peoria Journal Star. “The decision to close a restaurant is always difficult for both the franchisee and the brand. We appreciate the support of our loyal guests.”

The other two KFC locations in Springfield have been temporarily closed. It is unclear if either of the locations on West Jefferson Street or North Ninth Street will reopen.

EYM Chicken Operations owns several other KFC locations in Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana, bringing the total to approximately 150 locations across the state.

Claire Grant writes about business, growth and development and other news topics for The State Journal-Register. Reach her at [email protected]; and on X (formerly known as Twitter): @Claire_Granted

This article originally appeared in the State Journal-Register: KFC abruptly closes last location in Springfield, Illinois