News Summary
Three PDQ Chicken restaurants located in Hunter’s Creek, Winter Park, and near Waterford Lakes will cease operations on September 14. Yum! Brands has announced plans to replace these locations with new Saucy! restaurants, which specialize in a variety of chicken tenders and sauces. Despite these closures, other PDQ outlets across Central Florida will remain operational, and employees will have opportunities to apply for positions at the new establishments. Customers are encouraged to use their gift cards and rewards before the closures.
Orlando, Florida – Three PDQ Chicken restaurants in Central Florida are set to close next week, with the final day of operations scheduled for September 14. The closures will affect locations in Hunter’s Creek, Winter Park, and near the Waterford Lakes community.
In response to the closures, Yum! Brands has announced plans to open three new Saucy! restaurants in place of the PDQ locations. Saucy! is a novel chicken tender concept developed by KFC, featuring a selection of chicken tenders served with a wide array of sauces. The first Saucy! location opened in December in the Waterford neighborhood of east Orange County.
Yum! Brands clarified that the closures represent a real estate transaction and that they are not purchasing the PDQ brand itself. Employees working at the PDQ locations that are closing have already been informed of the situation and can apply for jobs at the upcoming Saucy! restaurants during this transition period.
It is important to note that PDQ’s other locations across Central Florida will remain operational. Additionally, a PDQ restaurant situated in a Kia Center, which operates solely during sporting and entertainment events, will continue to serve customers. Overall, the chain will still have 49 locations operating in Florida following these closures.
Customers holding PDQ gift cards or loyalty rewards are urged to use them before the affected locations cease operations. These rewards will also be honored at other PDQ outlets in the region.
The decision to close the three PDQ locations reflects ongoing challenges facing the restaurant industry. Many major restaurant chains have encountered closures recently, driven by a combination of financial pressures and underperformance.
PDQ, which stands for “People Dedicated to Quality,” was founded in Tampa in 2011 by Bob Basham, co-founder of Outback Steakhouse, alongside Nick Reader, CEO of MVP Holdings. Since its inception, the chain has expanded its presence across Florida, along with three locations in North Carolina and one in New Jersey.
The news of these closures marks a significant change in the local fast-food landscape, as the Saucy! brand aims to bring a fresh dining experience to Central Florida with its unique approach to chicken tenders.
As the restaurant industry continues to adapt to market conditions, the fast-food sector faces a period of uncertainty amidst changing consumer preferences and operational challenges. The momentum from the introduction of the Saucy! restaurants will be closely observed by industry analysts and customers alike.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Orlando Sentinel: PDQ Chicken Closures
- Eat This, Not That: Restaurant Chains Closing 2024
- Mashed: Signs PDQ Might Close
- Google Search: PDQ Restaurant Closures
- Wikipedia: PDQ (Restaurant)
Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
