The restaurant business in Kent County has been cooking, with many more openings than closings recently.
However, the area lost a few well-known names in 2025.
Red Robin, Dover
Red Robin in Dover quietly closed as of Jan. 1 to the surprise of community members and employees alike.
The restaurant opened during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic on July 13, 2020 at 40 N. Dupont Highway (Route 13) near Division Street in the Capital Station shopping center near Aldi.
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The staff at that time totaled about 75.
R&R Realty, the site’s commercial developer, confirmed in January that another tenant had been signed to move into the building.
A few months later, that tenant was announced as First Watch, the breakfast, brunch and lunch spot, which opened on Sept. 22.
There are four remaining Red Robin locations in Delaware.
MOD Pizza, Dover
The last MOD Pizza in Delaware closed in July at 1037 N. DuPont Highway, Dover
The restaurant on Route 13 in the North Dover Center near Staples shut its doors following the closure of the MOD Pizza on Main Street in Newark a few years ago.
MOD, which stands for “made on demand,” was founded in 2008 in Seattle, Washington, selling individually sized pizzas with the customer's choice of over 40 toppings and eight sauces, along with hand-tossed salads.
The Newark restaurant opened in 2017 and closed in 2022, according a Delaware Online story.
The Dover MOD opened in 2018, but this sign has been posted on the door: “CLOSED. This location is permanently closed. We are incredibly grateful for your patronage and support over the years.”
According to a July 11, 2024 report in USA TODAY, the restaurant chain dispelled rumors of bankruptcy by announcing its acquisition by Elite Restaurant Group, which also owns Patxi’s Chicago Pizza, Daphne's California Greek, Gigi’s Cupcakes, Marie Callender’s, Slater’s 50/50 and Mimi’s Cafe.
“We’re excited to work with Elite Restaurant Group to strengthen MOD’s future,” said Beth Scott, MOD Pizza chief executive officer, in a 2024 press release.
The USA TODAY story from 2024 reported that MOD had 512 restaurants in 28 states.
As of Oct. 27, the company listed 450 MOD locations in 26 states, so at least 62 locations have closed since 2024.
KFC, Dover
There are no more KFC restaurants in Delaware’s capital city.
The KFC in Dover has closed at 223 S. Dupont Highway (Route 13 North) between Burger King and Taco Bell, near Target.
A sign titled “STORE CLOSING” is posted on the door with this message:
“Thank you for your business. It is with regret to inform you that this location will be permanently closing on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025.” The sign directs readers to the KFC in Camden and ends with “We look forward to seeing you!”
Messages left for KFC by phone and by email at the Yum Brands media contact address weren’t returned as of Dec. 16.
This is the second KFC in Dover that has closed. Several years ago, a co-branded KFC and A&W restaurant closed at 1030 Forrest Ave. (Route 8) at Saulsbury Road, in the Gateway West shopping center near Goodwill.
Now the closest KFC locations to Dover are in Camden at 344 Walmart Drive and Route 13 South, and in Smyrna at 134 N. Dupont Blvd., Route 13 North, near North Street.
The closings are among KFC shutdowns in several states like the 25 sites that shut their doors in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin operated by EYM Group, according to the Restaurant Business website.
KFC is part of Yum Brands with Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and Habit Burger & Grill.
In the Yum Brands third quarter earnings report in 2025, KFC sales growth was positive in every overseas market, but in the U.S., sales were flat in the quarter and down 3% for the year through the third quarter.
Overall, growth continues at Yum Brands: “Worldwide system sales grew 5%, excluding foreign currency translation, led by Taco Bell at 9% and KFC at 6%,” the earnings report said.
But in the U.S., KFC is facing “stiff competition,” according to the Daily Meal restaurant news website which specifically mentioned the growth of Popeyes.
In Dover, other competitors include Royal Farms and grocery stores serving fried chicken, along with a host of restaurants with chicken sandwiches, tenders and nuggets like Chick-fil-A, Raising Cane’s, Dave's Hot Chicken, Hangry Joe's, Wingstop, McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s and more.
Reporter Ben Mace covers real estate and development news. Reach him at [email protected].