by Winston-Salem, NC — In a shocking end to nearly nine decades of operation, K&W Cafeteria, a classic Southern-style dining chain, has announced the immediate and permanent closure of all its locations. The decision was revealed on Monday afternoon, when the company shared an emotional statement through a Facebook post, notifying customers that every restaurant would shut its doors effective December 1, 2025.
“K&W has always been more than a restaurant — it has been a gathering place, a home for Sunday traditions, and a warm table for millions of families across generations,” the company wrote, expressing gratitude to loyal patrons who visited the cafeterias over the years.
End of an Era After Nearly Nine Decades
Founded 88 years ago, K&W Cafeteria had long served as a cultural staple across the Southeast, known for its comfort-food menu, family-friendly atmosphere, and cafeteria-style dining, where countless communities met to share meals after church, family events, or weekday lunches.
The company previously filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020, a move that signaled financial challenges worsened by the pandemic and shifting dining habits. Despite emerging from bankruptcy and closing several locations, K&W managed to continue operating eight restaurants in North Carolina and one in Virginia—all of which officially closed on December 1.
In its closure announcement, the company stated:
“We are sorry to announce that after proudly serving this and many other communities for years K&W Holdings Group LLC will be CLOSED PERMANENTLY. All existing locations closed effective 12/1/2025. We thank you for your support throughout our years in business.”
Customers Share Memories as Community Reacts
The news quickly prompted an outpouring of nostalgia from longtime diners who viewed K&W as part of their family traditions. Among them was Niya Kerr, a customer from Charlotte, North Carolina, who shared fond memories on social media.
“I used to go to K&W after every Thanksgiving parade with my family,” she wrote. “Thank you for all the memories — and I need the recipe for the chocolate pudding!”
For many Carolinians and Virginians, dishes like fried chicken, yeast rolls, vegetables, and desserts formed part of their childhoods, weekend routines, and multigenerational family moments.
Company Shares Emotional Farewell to Loyal Patrons
In its final message, the company thanked customers for their decades of loyalty, writing:
“We are truly sorry to bring this chapter to an end, but profoundly thankful for the love you’ve shown us for nearly nine decades. From our family to yours — thank you.”
The chain, headquartered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, leaves behind a significant legacy in Southern dining culture.
Part of a Larger Wave of Recent Retail Closures
K&W’s shutdown is the latest in a string of notable business closures across the United States over the past year.
In September, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant announced it would close all locations, offering no explanation beyond stating the company hoped to reopen in the future.
The following month, Rite Aid, a major national pharmacy chain, revealed it would permanently close all remaining locations after 63 years in business, forcing longtime customers to search for new pharmacies for their prescriptions.
The closure of K&W Cafeteria marks not just the end of a restaurant chain, but the fading of a longtime community institution that fed generations of families across the Southeast.
Did you grow up eating at K&W Cafeteria? Share your memories, stories, and reactions in the comments — we’d love to hear your experiences.
