According to The Sun, CHICKEN lovers everywhere are facing disappointment as the latest round of fast food closures hits hard.
EYM Chicken, a subsidiary of EYM Group, has shut down around 25 KFC restaurants in the Midwest, with more closures on the horizon, according to various media reports.
The news, initially reported by Peoria, Illinois-based WMBD, has left several communities without their local KFCs, raising concerns about the future of the franchisee’s operations.
“We can confirm that some KFC locations in the area have closed,” the company stated. “The decision to close a restaurant is always difficult for both the franchisee and the brand. We appreciate the patronage of our loyal guests.”
Local media have confirmed these closures with photos, while Nation’s Restaurant News noted that “about 25” locations have been affected.
EYM Chicken, which owned 47 KFC stores at the end of 2023 according to KFC’s franchise disclosure document filed in March, has seen a significant portion of its units impacted by these recent closures, as reported by Restaurant Dive.
REACTION TO THE NEWS
Upon hearing the news, many Facebook users were unsurprised.
“Their chicken went downhill years ago. That’s just it, they stopped selling as much, it slid into neglect,” one person commented.
“Best chicken in the world just got to where I couldn’t afford it anymore,” added another.
“All of them overpriced themselves! Employees usually were not friendly, so this made a perfect recipe for being closed up,” a third user chimed in.
A fourth person noted that KFC has “gone downhill in product quality.”
A PATTERN OF CHALLENGES
This development is the latest in a series of setbacks for EYM Group, the parent company of EYM Chicken.
In recent years, EYM Group has faced legal battles with Yum Brands, KFC’s parent company, particularly over the performance of its Pizza Hut locations, according to Restaurant Dive.
EYM has accused Yum Brands of falling behind competitors in terms of technology and operational practices, which has reportedly contributed to the declining performance of its Pizza Hut units.
The situation became so severe that EYM’s pizza division filed for bankruptcy following the closure of several Midwest locations.
EYM Group’s troubles are not limited to its KFC and Pizza Hut franchises. Last year, EYM King, the company’s Burger King subsidiary, shuttered dozens of units and is now embroiled in a lawsuit with Armada Oil and Gas. The lawsuit claims that EYM King failed to pay rent and violated lease agreements, exacerbating the company’s financial woes, as reported by the outlet.
This string of closures is just one of many occurring across the fast food industry.
A popular burger chain is reportedly on the verge of bankruptcy following a wave of mass closures, with fans attributing the decline to its high menu prices.
Additionally, a beloved pizza chain has recently closed its last location in one city.
