K&W Cafeterias shuts down after 87 years of family traditions

K&W Cafeterias, a long-standing chain known for family traditions, will close its remaining locations this Monday. The shutdown marks the end of an era for a business that began in 1937 as the Carolinian Coffee Shop in Winston-Salem. The company was originally named after its co-founders, William Wilson and T.K. Knight. By 1941, Grady Allred, who started as an employee, took full ownership of the chain. For decades, K&W became a beloved gathering spot for Sunday meals across generations.

The pandemic hit K&W hard, forcing the closure of nine locations and pushing the company into bankruptcy. Two years later, it was sold to Piccadilly, another cafeteria chain. Despite efforts to recover, sales dropped by 10% in 2022, with further declines expected. At the start of 2023, K&W still operated 10 locations, generating $27 million in annual sales. However, its struggles reflect wider challenges faced by cafeteria-style restaurants. Now, with all remaining branches set to close, the chain’s 87-year history will come to an end.

The final closures will leave many families without their usual Sunday dining spot. K&W’s exit follows years of financial pressure, including pandemic losses and declining sales. The shutdown also highlights the ongoing difficulties for traditional cafeteria chains in today’s market.