Area communities are losing another eatery at year’s end. Pizza Hut franchises are closing in east-central Illinois.

Pizza Huts in Watseka, Hoopeston, Paxton and Monticello are closing their doors on Saturday, December 31st. Franchise owner Mike Stegman says economic reasons are forcing him to close the stores he’s owned for more than 30 years.

Stegman closed his Gibson City Pizza Hut last month.

Stegman said the company is pushing for major remodel jobs at Pizza Hut outlets, a cost—he says—that’s not feasible.

Stegman is based in Wichita, KANSAS. He started his franchise chain in 1986, locating Pizza Huts in Hoopeston and Gibson City. The Watseka location was opened in 1988. Stegman started the Paxton site in 1989, and added his Monticello store in 1991.

94.1 WGFA