KFC South Cullman

08/13/2026

08/13/2026

The Kohl & Weir family, whose Kentucky Fried Chicken business began in Cullman in 1968, has announced that its last KFC restaurant, located at 1620 Second Avenue Southwest in Cullman, […]

08/13/2026

BREAKING: After 58 years, the South Cullman KFC is closing its doors.

The Kohl and Weir family announced their last KFC restaurant, at 1620 Second Avenue Southwest, will permanently close after business on Sunday, August 16th.

It’s the end of a remarkable run. The family’s Kentucky Fried Chicken business started in Cullman in 1968, when Jack and Blanche Kohl opened their first “chicken store” with the help of their youngest daughter, Mimi. Over the years the family expanded to Guntersville, Boaz, Arab, Hartselle, and Hanceville.

Owner Kent Weir called it an extremely difficult decision. He and Mimi celebrated 30 years as franchisees this year, but the roots go back nearly six decades. Weir pointed to a chicken market that has changed dramatically, with competition now coming from burger joints, grocery stores, and even gas stations, not just other fried chicken restaurants.

Still, Weir said the hardest part was not the business side. It was the people. He thanked the employees who spent much of their working lives there and the generations of Cullman families who made the restaurant part of their dinner table, their church gatherings, and their celebrations.

“It has been an immense honor to serve Cullman for 58 years,” Weir said. “Mimi and I love this community.”

The restaurant will keep serving through Sunday, August 16. Note that the KFC on Highway 157 is not affected, since it is run by a different franchisee.

08/13/2026

The Kohl & Weir family, whose Kentucky Fried Chicken business began in Cullman in 1968, has announced that its last KFC restaurant, located at 1620 Second Avenue Southwest in Cullman, will permanently close following the completion of business on Sunday, August 16, 2026.

The closing brings to an end a remarkable chapter in the family business started by Jack and Blanche Kohl with the help of their youngest daughter Mimi in 1968. It reflects not only the restaurant's long operating history, but also dramatic changes in the restaurant industry and the Cullman market itself.

“We’ve seen children come through our doors with their parents and later return with children and grandchildren of their own,” Weir said. “My wife’s parents started this restaurant, and she grew up there. We raised our own family with it and has been such a big part of our lives. We’ve shared so many memories here with our friends and their families. It’s truly been an integral part of our story and I can’t thank Cullman enough.”