TOP STORY OF THE DAY: KFC hosts official grand opening

KFC’s newest restaurant officially opened its doors Wednesday morning during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Restaurant managers were able to perform a “soft opening” since Dec. 26, 2022, offering a trimmed menu as employees and supply chains settle into their respective routines. KFC’s newest site, now serving its full menu, is located at 637 E. National Ave. and is open from 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. daily, with an extra evening hour on Fridays and Saturdays. Present for the ribbon cutting Wednesday was a powerhouse of economic leaders in the area, including (not in any particular order): Heather Shaw, Tim Adams, Destiny Green, Toni Evans, Shelby Holder, Brian Reeves, Danielle Bryan, Janice Yockey, Clay County Chamber of Commerce President Brook Reinoehl, Kim Stearley of First Financial Bank, County Treasurer Jennifer Flater, Chamber Executive Director Shellina Shearer, Justin Campbell and Reva Eslick of Fairway Mortgage, Matt Williams of The Hometown Savings Bank, Remax’s Michelle Engle, Christina Meyer of the Brazil Times, and Andy Stone and Brandon Sneath of A&B Farmhouse.

Nick Wilson Photo

With all the buzz around the new KFC in town, one could easily be forgiven for thinking it was already open.

The restaurant opened under what many in the business refer to as a “soft opening,” on Dec. 26 last year, to allow the restaurant’s owners, managers, employees and supply chains to be established and, effectively, get settled in. During this time, site’s often offer a limited menu of their products.

But now that the doors have officially opened, this once limited KFC is now “full fledged,” District Manager Heather Shaw said Wednesday.

KFC Brazil Manager Tim Adams, from right, District Manager Heather Shaw and Regional Manager Destiny Green take a moment out of their busy morning Wednesday for a photo following the store’s official grand opening, ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Nick Wilson Photo

“We now have the drive-through open, the lobby is now open, both menus are good to go,” Shaw said. “I’m excited about it. I think it’s going to be a really good KFC, and I have a lot of faith in Tim.

Tim Adams, store manager for KFC’s newest location, is a Brazil and Clay County native. He graduated from Northview High School in 2008 and is active with the congregation at United Pentecostal Church in Knightsville.

“I’ve lived here all my life,” Adams said. Asked how the soft opening went, he said it was nothing short of chaotic, selling hundreds of meals each day since Dec. 26, 2022.

“The first couple of days, it was a madhouse in here,” Adams said. “You have big days and all that, but it’s kind of went down a little bit now.”

KFC is located 637 E. National Ave. in Brazil and is open from 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. daily, with an extra hour Friday and Saturday nights.