After 88 years as a Southern dining staple, K&W Cafeterias abruptly closed all of its remaining locations across North Carolina, marking the end of a long-standing regional restaurant tradition. The closures, which took effect on December 1, 2025, stunned loyal customers and employees alike, leaving a significant local impact just weeks before the holiday season.
History of K&W Cafeterias
K&W Cafeterias, founded in 1937 in Winston-Salem and known for its cafeteria-style service and homestyle comfort food, operated eight locations in North Carolina at the time of its shutdown.
At its peak, K&W Cafeterias had around 35 locations. However, COVID-related stressors impacted the chain significantly, leading to a bankruptcy filing in 2020. By the time the chain emerged from bankruptcy in 2021, it had already downsized its restaurant count and workforce significantly.
In 2022, K&W was acquired by Piccadilly Restaurants, which continued to operate a reduced number of sites (around 9 total by mid-2025). This change of ownership did not reverse the trend of contraction and, ultimately, preceded the decision to close all remaining locations.
No notice given to employees
The company did not provide advance notice to staff, and state officials noted that no WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) notice was filed (a requirement in many large layoffs and closures), leaving workers without any time to prepare.
The sudden closures have left hundreds of employees without jobs, with local reports estimating that more than 300 workers were affected statewide. For many, the loss of paychecks coming so close to the end of the year has compounded financial stress and uncertainty about finding new employment during a competitive job market.
Former employee Nicole Henry shares, “I was in deep shock. Like I couldn’t believe it. No warning, no goodbyes, celebration. And all of them had to close. We couldn’t leave one or two open.”
Community reacts
Customers and former employees expressed deep emotional reactions to the news. Regular patrons described K&W as more than just a restaurant — a gathering place for families, church groups, and generations who grew up sharing meals there. Many took to social media and local comment sections to share memories of Sunday dinners, holiday traditions, and comfort food favorites.
The closure underscores broader challenges facing traditional, legacy dining concepts in a post-pandemic hospitality industry grappling with rising costs, changing consumer preferences, and labor shortages. For North Carolinians, the loss of K&W Cafeterias closes a chapter on nearly nine decades of culinary history.
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