KFC in Cape will be torn down and rebuilt

The window signs are blackened with spray paint, and the marquee formerly advertising deals on chicken buckets now says “closed.” The KFC on William Street in Cape Girardeau halted operations Monday and soon will be demolished.

The lot behind the building is empty. Brent McHugh, the restaurant’s general manager, said there were three or four houses in that area, and they were torn down last week. The space soon will be home to a newly constructed KFC.

“The plan is, there’s going to be a complete teardown and rebuild,” McHugh said.

Workers this week are cleaning the restaurant and moving materials out of the building in preparation for the demolition.

When work will begin or end on the new building is unclear. McHugh said he expects more details to be available from the corporate office soon.

“It all just kind of happened,” McHugh said. “We all knew it was going to close down, but we were just waiting for the word.”

For the duration of the construction, employees of the Cape Girardeau KFC have been laid off and will need to reapply when the restaurant reopens if they wish to continue working for the restaurant.

“We’ll be hiring like crazy,” McHugh said.

bbrown@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3630

Pertinent address:

2101 William St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.