If you’ve been craving some fried chicken from Church’s Chicken in St. Petersburg, you might have hit a roadblock this week. The location at 2195 34th St South was temporarily closed after a state inspection turned up several violations. This isn’t the first time it’s happened either—this spot had another shutdown just last year in July 2023.
What’s Going On with Church’s Chicken?
Church’s Chicken has been a staple for fried chicken lovers, known for serving up the “authentic flavor of Texas” for over 70 years. In fact, they’ve recently been rebranding as Church’s Texas Chicken to emphasize their Lone Star State roots. While there are 26 Church’s locations across Florida, the St. Petersburg restaurant has had its fair share of challenges. With a 3.5-star rating on Google Reviews, the feedback from diners has been a mixed bag—some love the classic flavors, while others have pointed out issues with service and cleanliness.
The Inspection Findings: What Went Wrong?
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation conducted an inspection on October 29, 2024, and found five violations at the St. Petersburg location. Here’s a rundown of what the inspectors discovered: