By TAMARIA L. KULEMEKA, tkulemeka@nncogannett.com
The Eagle-Gazette Staff
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LANCASTER — Chi-Chi’s Restaurants closed stores across the country Sunday, including the Lancaster store.
Rushville residents Karl and Lori Kent weren’t the least bit surprised to hear news that the chain closed down restaurants.
“It seems like ever since the green onion (incident) I’ve noticed the parking lot wasn’t as busy on Friday nights,” said 44-year-old Lori Kent. “Every other place would be swamped but Chi-Chi’s wouldn’t be.”
The closings follow an outbreak of more than 600 cases of Hepatitis A linked to green onions at one of the chain’s restaurants in Pennsylvania last year.
Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by a virus. It is spread from person to person through contaminated fluids or foods. The Centers for Disease Control said the best way to prevent the disease is to wash your hands frequently. Symptoms of the disease include fatigue, loss of appetite and fever.
The Eagle-Gazette made calls to the local restaurant last week inquiring about the closing, and was referred to the company’s parent company Prandium, Inc.

Scott Sanders, spokesman for Prandium refused to confirm the closing.
“We have no response at this time,” Sanders said. “It is publicly known that we sold the designation rights to Outback Steakhouse. The company at this point has no comments on any stores opening or closing.”
Officials at Outback Steakhouse referred questions back to Chi-Chi’s.
According to a press release at Outback’s Web site, the company was the successful bidder at an auction for the designation rights for 76 properties of Chi-Chi’s, Inc. and its affiliates.
The $42.5 million purchase was approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.
The designation allows Outback the right to transfer properties to itself, transfer properties to others or require Chi-Chi’s to retain properties.
The Kents agree the outbreak doomed the restaurant, however, they continued to eat there.
“We do love Chi-Chi’s,” Lori Kent said.
In an interview with the Eagle-Gazette last December, Marla Crosby, assistant general manager at the restaurant, expressed how the local restaurant was suffering because of the outbreak. Crosby said business had been off between 30 to 40 percent compared to the previous year.
At that time, the Lancaster restaurant employed 40 people.
Lancaster Economic Development Director Mike Pettit said it is likely a new restaurant will move into the space.
“There usually is a high demand for restaurants in that area so if one moves out another one will come in. I wouldn’t be too concerned,” Pettit said.
Thirty-one-year-old Kevin Adams is looking forward to getting a new eatery in the city.
“I went to Chi-Chi’s and I hated it,” Adams said. “I think Taco Bell was more Mexican than Chi-Chi’s, but my wife liked it.”
Adams said he would like to see a Japanese-style steakhouse come to town.
According to Outback’s Web site, the company plans to use a significant number of the properties for Outback Steakhouse, Inc. restaurant brands. The restaurant operates several restaurants including 857 Outback Steakhouses, 159 Carrabba’s Italian Grills and 46 Bonefish Grills throughout the United States and 21 countries internationally.