Attalla
Attalla, AL · Lifestyle
The Cullman Tribune
Changing restaurant landscape: Recent closures raise questions about impact on workers
CULLMAN, Ala. – Over the past several months, Cullman has seen a growing number of familiar restaurants close their doors, leaving vacant storefronts, disappointed customers and questions about the future of the city’s dining industry. However, beyond the loss of favorite gathering places, the closures have brought attention to another concern: the employees whose livelihoods depend on these businesses. Since August, at least six Cullman restaurants have announced or completed closures, including KFC’s south Cullman location, Puckett’s Restaurant, Wissota Chophouse, Lucy’s on 3rd, Augusta’s Sports Grill and Shrimp Basket. While the circumstances surrounding each closure differ, the concentration of shutdowns within a relatively short period has raised questions about the challenges facing local restaurants and what happens to their employees when operations come to an end. A series of closures One of the first major closures came in August, when the KFC restaurant in South Cullman Shopping Center served its final customers Aug. 16. The closure marked the end of the Kohl and Weir family’s 58-year history operating KFC franchises. Owner Kent Weir cited slowing business, changing consumer preferences and increased competition as contributing factors. The KFC on Alabama Highway 157 remains open under separate ownership. “This has been an
ABC 33/40 News
hoodline.com
Bham Now
Birmingham’s High Dive HiFi Lounge named 2026 Best New Restaurant in Alabama
We’re no strangers here at Bham Now when it comes to celebrating new restaurants opening in the Greater Birmingham Area. We’ve had several openings in the last year that have been impactful on Birmingham’s dining scene, but a staff favorite remains High Dive HiFi Lounge in Birmingham’s Lakeview District.
Bham Now
wbhm.org
Bham Now
AL.com
Shelby Reporter
Column: A lesson in thick skin, courtesy of the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party
I learned something about public criticism at the Florida-Georgia game Saturday. And, no, it had nothing to do with football. It had to do with the importance of having a thick skin. My dad and I made the trip to Atlanta to watch the Bulldogs take on the Gators at...
hoodline.com
birminghamtimes.com
hooversun.com
Qdoba brings fresh flavors and community focus to Hoover
More than a year before the first customer walked through the door, the work had already begun. Planning sessions, construction timelines, hiring rounds and staff training all quietly unfolded behind the scenes before Qdoba Mexican Eats officially opened its newest Alabama location at 1539 Montgomery Highway in Hoover. For General Manager Hari Vajaha, that long runway made the opening feel less like a ribbon-cutting ceremony and more like a culmination.