KFC shut down by health department

[monsoon]

It would seem the Mecklenburg county health department has shutdown the KFC/A&W combo restaurant on South Tryon for repeated health code violations. They have been failing inspections since last July and today the health dept. said enough is enough and closed them. Some of the violations were absolutely disgusting.

My question does anyone know if this is a city wide franchise owned by the same people or if this particular store, which looks fairly new, is individually owned. If the owners don't care enough to keep their store from being closed by the health dept, I can imagine that other KFC's in the area might have the same issues.

[nowensone]

Had no idea that the health department could permanently shut a place down, sounds kind of un-American. Though I am all for them having that power anyway. There are some controversial parallels to make though - if they can/should shut a place down for the sake of public health/public good then it seems clear that other similar things should go the same route (smoking in public for example).

[Andyc545]

Had no idea that the health department could permanently shut a place down, sounds kind of un-American. Though I am all for them having that power anyway. There are some controversial parallels to make though - if they can/should shut a place down for the sake of public health/public good then it seems clear that other similar things should go the same route (smoking in public for example).

[nowensone]

Forever though? So ownership change is the only thing that would allow them to reopen? Or is there like a year "probation"? Just seems uncommon for a govt. agency (other than the IRS) to have such teeth. Hell, the EPA can hardly do anything to factories and plants however much they might pollute a place.

[Spartan]

I don't think they can shut them down permanently, but they would have to reapply for their license to sell prepared food (what ever thats called). That would mean they'd have to go through the inspection process like any new business. That means they'd have to clean up.

[MZT]

You have to be reeallly bad to get shut down. The health department offers a couple of re-inspections before resorting to this. Whoever manages the restaurant is not on top of things.

[davidclt]

It would seem the Mecklenburg county health department has shutdown the KFC/A&W combo restaurant on South Tryon for repeated health code violations. They have been failing inspections since last July and today the health dept. said enough is enough and closed them. Some of the violations were absolutely disgusting.

[Raintree21]

This was their 3rd inspection. Their score was 68%. WCNC does daily or weekly articles on food inspections and the KFD/A&W report can be found here. The health inspector said "when the permit is revoked, they can no longer simply change the things that were marked as violations on the inspection. They have to bring everything up to current code.

[monsoon]

I don't eat at Waffle Houses anymore because I have seen too many nasty ones to be comfortable with the state of the food they serve. It amazes me these places let themselves get into such a state the public health dept has to shut them down for being so nasty. I've worked in fast food restaurants before and it really doesn't take that much effort to run a clean store.

[Charlotte_native]

Ummmm...finger lickin' good!

If a restaurant is shut down for repeated health violations they have to reapply to through the entire permit process that a new restaurant would. I don't see this as un-American at all, if repeated voilations were found it would seem the ownership or management simply didn't care about the health of their customers. 68% is absolutely disgusting.

[nowensone]

^ No, that would not be un-American since you are saying it is not permanent. Anyway, was saying that ironically, in the sense that those who use such phrases as "Un-American" would consider any such permanent action an incredible intrusion into our "free" economy, especially since customers can choose to avoid a place that they know has such a low score. Basically the whole "government shouldn't try to save us" argument. Which is also ironic since we are still free to load our bodies with horrid stuff that we cook and buy ourselves, now that would be a more strategic target for the health department if they're going to such extreme measures as shutting down disgusting fast food establishments.

[dxartist]

haven't eaten at KFC in years. Ironically, I used to work as a KFC cook back in college. It really doesn't take much effort to keep the area clean.

[monsoon]

WCNC to their credit has put together an interactive menu showing the dirtiest nastiest restaurants in the Charlotte area. You can see it at this link. I notice a number of KFCs, IHOPs and Waffle Houses on this list. There are also some popular places such as Bueugger's Bagles in Dilworth.

[DigitalSky]

thanks for that list. eww@ the Waffle House on South Blvd.