Multiple Illinois KFC fast-food locations suddenly shut down, implement mass layoffs

In the Champaign, two locations were shut down. In the Champaign and Decatur areas, about four locations have also closed this week, including those in Mattoon and Clinton. (Photo courtesy: KFC/Facebook)

By WMBD TV

BLOOMINGTON – EYM Chicken Operations and its parent company, Yum, shut down multiple Illinois KFC fast-food locations earlier this week, implementing mass layoffs of its employees statewide.

According to a former maintenance employee who worked at several central Illinois KFC restaurants, his director of operations called him on Aug. 6 to notify him of his termination. The employee said he was vacationing in Tennessee when he received the call.

He requested a formal notification via email from his director and received an email that outlined the circumstances surrounding the sudden departure shortly after.

He said the company eliminated his position effective immediately and he felt “treated as though he did something wrong.”

On Monday, five KFC fast-food locations in Illinois, including those where the maintenance employee worked, abruptly closed Monday morning, according to former restaurant employees. That includes the KFC in Bloomington on North Prospect Road.

Andrew Bush, 18, 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.

In Rockford, three locations were closed, including the following:

  • 1502 Kilburn Avenue, Rockford, Illinois.
  • 3035 11th Street, Rockford, Illinois.
  • 1586 West Lane Road, Machesney Park.

In the Champaign, two locations were shut down. In the Champaign and Decatur areas, about four locations have also closed this week, including those in Mattoon and Clinton.

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.

WMBD can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…