KFC Has Closed Hundreds of Restaurants, Including 5 in Michigan

I drive by KFC all the time, but honestly, I couldn’t tell you the last time I actually stopped and got food from there.

Nothing against KFC. It’s just not really my go-to anymore, and apparently I’m not the only one.

KFC has been closing restaurants across the country like crazy over the past year, including a handful right here in Michigan.

How Many KFC Restaurants Have Closed?

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According to a recent analysis cited by TheStreet, at least 312 KFC restaurants in the U.S. closed between July 15, 2025, and July 6, 2026. Five of those closures were in Michigan.

Five KFC Locations Closed in Michigan

Unfortunately, the study doesn’t say exactly which five Michigan restaurants closed.

KFC still has plenty of locations around the state, so it’s definitely not like the Colonel is packing up and leaving Michigan. And from what I can tell, none of those recent closures were in Genesee County.

Still, more than 300 closures nationwide in about a year is a pretty big number.

Why Is KFC Closing Restaurants?

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A big part of it could simply be competition.

Places like Chick-fil-A, Popeyes, and Raising Cane’s have become huge players in the chicken game, and people just have a lot more options now than they used to.

KFC has also been making some changes, including updating restaurants, tweaking the menu, and putting more focus on value.

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There are signs things may be starting to turn around, but after more than 300 closures in about a year, it’s pretty clear the Colonel still has some work to do.

And while I don’t really eat at KFC anymore, I’ll still argue they have the best coleslaw on the planet.