KFC Closes All Locations in Lafayette and New Iberia

Categories: Louisiana Business NewsLouisiana NewsLouisiana Restaurant

The sign indicating KFC's closure at a location in Lafayette.

News Summary

All KFC locations in Lafayette and New Iberia, operated by KBP Foods, have closed abruptly, marking the end of KFC’s presence in southwest Louisiana. Customers discovered the closures through posted signs on the restaurant doors, with no prior warning. The shutdowns are part of a larger trend of declining sales and operational challenges facing KFC nationwide, as competition intensifies in the fried chicken market. Residents are now seeking alternative dining options amid these unexpected closures.

Lafayette and New Iberia, Louisiana – All KFC locations in Lafayette and New Iberia have officially closed their doors, leaving fans of the popular chicken chain searching for alternative dining options. The closures include the restaurants situated at 200 Kaliste Saloom Road, 3328 Ambassador Caffery Parkway, and 1007 East Main St. in New Iberia, which were all operated by KBP Foods, the largest KFC franchisee in the United States.

This drastic move effectively marks the end of KFC’s presence in southwest Louisiana, as these locations were believed to be the last of their kind in the area. The announcement was made abruptly when customers discovered printed signs posted on the doors, indicating that the restaurants had shut down without prior warning. Subsequent to the closures, individuals were observed cleaning and removing equipment from the buildings, highlighting the finality of the decisions made by the franchisee.

The KFC outlets in Lafayette first opened in 2018, reviving the brand in an area that had sought its return after years of absence. However, KBP Foods had previously closed a location at 1320 North University Ave. earlier in 2023, signaling a troubling trend of reductions within the company. An employee’s Facebook post confirmed that the New Iberia location had also closed permanently.

The closures in Lafayette and New Iberia are part of a broader pattern of KFC shutdowns nationwide, with KBP Foods reportedly closing around 25 locations in the Midwest last fall due to various operational challenges. As KFC grapples with declining sales—recording a 5% decrease in sales for 2024 compared to 2023—the situation in southwest Louisiana fits into larger trends observed within the company.

In 2023, KFC lost its status as the second most popular chicken brand in the U.S. to its competitor, Popeyes, further illustrating the mounting pressures within the fried chicken market. The three Lafayette locations sold for a combined total of $3.1 million in 2019, with the Ambassador Caffery location changing ownership again for $1.15 million just last year, underscoring the significant investment that has now been rendered ineffective by the recent closures.

Market observers have speculated that increased competition from newly emerging chicken chains in the area may have contributed to these closures, although no specific competitor has been singled out as the main cause. As the KFC restaurants were some of the few options left for fried chicken fans in the region, this development leaves the future of KFC in the Acadiana area uncertain.

Residents are now left scrambling to find alternative venues to satisfy their fried chicken cravings, as the sudden closure has sent ripples through the local dining community. Customers looking for their favorite chicken meal may need to explore different regions or local eateries, while the fate of KFC and its franchisee in the area remains unclear.

The existing locations had managed to attract a dedicated customer base since their reopening, but the suddenness of the decision to close raises questions about the strategic direction of KBP Foods and KFC at large. For now, fans of the brand are left in a lurch, and the impact of these closures on the local food landscape will continue to unfold in the coming weeks.