KFC closed 300-plus U.S. stores in past year

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KFC closed 300-plus U.S. stores in past year
 
Published Friday, July 24, 2026 11:00 am
by Zachary Russell

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"One of the largest quick-serve fried chicken chains is trimming its store count in the United States, according to a new analysis.

Local AI search visibility platform Local Falcon compared KFC's public store locator from July 15, 2025, to July 6, 2026, and verified each removed listing against Google Maps. The analysis showed that at least 312 KFC restaurants marked permanently closed on Google Maps, or 7.64% of the more than 4,000 locations listed at the start of the period.

Among the 38 states with at least 20 KFC locations at the start of the period, Kansas saw the largest decrease with 21.1% of its KFC restaurants closing, from 38 down to 30. Louisiana follows at 16.1%, Alabama at 13.4% and Tennessee at 13.3%. California saw the most closures in raw numbers, with 44 locations now marked permanently closed on Google Maps, followed by Texas at 34 and Ohio at 18. Between them, California and Texas account for 78 of the 312 closures, a quarter of the national total.

A subsidiary of Yum! Brands Inc., KFC operates more than 34,000 restaurants in over 150 countries. Last month, the chain announced the launch of a widespread effort to update its business that includes next-generation store concepts and a new focus on boneless chicken menu items."

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KFC closed 300-plus U.S. stores in past year | Chain Store Age

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KFC closed 300-plus U.S. stores in past year | Chain Store Age

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KFC closed 300-plus U.S. stores in past year

KFC permanently closed at least 312 restaurants across the United States between July 15, 2025, and July 6, 2026, representing 7.64% of the chain's over 4,000 locations, according to Local Falcon's analysis comparing KFC's official store directory with Google Maps data. Kansas experienced the largest percentage decline with 21.1% of its KFC restaurants closing, followed by Louisiana at 16.1%, Alabama at 13.4%, and Tennessee at 13.3%. California saw the most closures in raw numbers with 44 locations marked permanently closed, followed by Texas at 34 and Ohio at 18, with California and Texas combined accounting for a quarter of the national total. The closures, averaging roughly six restaurants weekly, reflect broader challenges facing quick-service restaurants as consumers reduce discretionary dining and demand better value, quality, and relevance from restaurant brands.

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