Two local Pizza Hut restaurants have closed their doors, including the Carmi location that was recently honored as the Carmi Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year just over a month ago. The Mt. Carmel Pizza Hut, owned by the same franchisee, was closed suddenly last Saturday. Now, the Carmi restaurant is also permanently closed as of 10 p.m. Wednesday night.
Brittany Rutledge, the Carmi store’s manager since May 2024, said the staff was heartbroken to receive the news during a meeting Wednesday evening. Another employee, one of approximately twenty affected, explained that staff were told last Thursday about a mandatory meeting scheduled for Wednesday, which would include the district manager.
Despite the staff’s dedication and recent attempts to revitalize the business, financial realities ultimately led to the closure. According to employees, the restaurant required an estimated $250,000 remodel, and would have needed to increase daily revenue by $1,500 to pay off the investment within a reasonable timeframe.
Some displaced employees may have the opportunity to transfer to the Pizza Hut in Harrisburg.
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