COOK OUT: A PROTOTYPICAL LOOK

Sept. 26. By Dave Vieser. The Cook Out fast-food chain has purchased the KFC building on West Catawba Avenue for $1.8 million. The, chain, which launched in Greensboro in 1989, will open in Cornelius later this year.

The sale of the old KFC took place Aug. 27. Assistant Town Planner Aaron Tucker said Cook Out will retain the old KFC site plan and footprint. The exterior will be updated with insulated glass, Bahama shutters and stone veneers.

HOW WE FOUND OUT KFC CLOSED

Cookout has grown exponentially, reaching 100 stores in 2012 and some 250 now in Virginia, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland,  Mississippi, Tennessee and the Carolinas.

Their headquarters is in Thomasville, once a NC furniture giant.

According to county tax records, the site has a tax value of $1.8 million with annual taxes of $15,100. KFC had occupied the site for decades until it closed in March.

Competition among the big fast food chains has intensified in recent years with almost all of them competing with dollar menus and discounts.

Bojangle’s is right next door,  and the Pizza Hut on the other side has become a Starbuck’s—with plenty of food items in addition to coffee.

Meanwhile, restaurants—the last thing you’d expect to go virtual—are shrinking in size as take-out dining becomes more popular for busy families.