10 Violations Lead to Closure of Florida KFC After State Inspection

Photo byTed Wathen

Florida’s love for southern fried chicken is well-known, with chains like Chick-fil-A, Zaxby's, and Popeye's dotting the state’s culinary landscape. Yet, not all fried chicken joints are meeting the mark. A KFC location in Clearwater recently faced closure following a state inspection that revealed multiple health code violations.

Kentucky Fried Chicken, famous for its secret recipe and iconic fried chicken, began its journey in the 1930s when Harland Sanders served his original chicken recipe from a gas station. Today, KFC boasts around 24,000 locations globally, with 286 in Florida alone. Despite its broad reach, the Clearwater location at 1648 S Missouri Avenue recently fell short of expectations.

Inspection Findings

On August 15, 2024, inspectors from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation conducted a routine check at the Clearwater KFC. The inspection uncovered 10 violations, including:

• Basic Violations: An exterior door with a significant gap at the threshold, a non-functional mop sink, and a plumbing system in disrepair.
• High-Priority Violations: Serious issues included sewage and wastewater backing up through floor drains, the presence of live flying insects, and drainage problems with "green water pooling in the parking area," which was draining from a pipe on the roof..

Restaurant’s Response

Due to the severity of the violations, the KFC location was temporarily closed. A follow-up inspection on August 16, 2024, revealed that three violations remained. However, the restaurant managed to meet inspection standards and was allowed to reopen.

As KFC strives to address these issues and improve its standing, this incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining rigorous health and safety standards in all food establishments.