"The cafeteria-style eatery, known for its affordable, homestyle meals of fried chicken, baked spaghetti, and chocolate cream pie, announced its permanent closure in a Facebook post on Monday. The restaurant chain thanked customers for their support and added, "We are truly sorry to bring this chapter to an end, but profoundly thankful for the love you've shown us for nearly nine decades." No explanation was offered for K&W's sudden closure."
"K&W did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Business Insider on Tuesday, but told FOX8 WGHP in a statement that "like many restaurant companies across the country, we have struggled to navigate an extremely challenging operating environment." Data from foodservice industry research firm Technomic's Ignite database showed that K&W's sales fell 10% year over year in 2024, and its 2025 sales were predicted to be even more grim. The chain's abrupt closure comes as the restaurant industry has been under pressure due to rising food and labor costs, as well as tightening consumer budgets."
K&W Cafeteria permanently closed all nine restaurants across North Carolina and Virginia, leaving hundreds of employees without work. The chain operated for 88 years and was known for Southern comfort dishes like fried chicken, baked spaghetti, and chocolate cream pie. Management announced the closure on Facebook, thanked customers, and offered no detailed explanation. K&W previously filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020 and emerged a year later. Industry data showed a 10% sales decline in 2024 with predictions of worse performance in 2025 amid rising food and labor costs and tightening consumer budgets.
Read at Business Insider
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]