KFC
Last inspected: Feb 18, 2026
50
Score
Public records show 10 inspections at KFC stretching back to 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Feb 18, 2026. The high risk label is a heads-up that the most recent visit didn't go well.
Recent inspections have turned up more issues than earlier ones, averaging around nine violations lately compared to roughly six violations before.
The pattern that stands out is “ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled”, which has been cited three times.
Compared to other Clearwater restaurants (averaging 79), there's room to close the gap. There are enough flags in the record to merit a second thought.
10
Inspections
1
Critical latest
2
Major latest
7
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 18, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Bottle of grill cleaner stored on food prep area near tortillas. Operator relocated. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Scoop in sink. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on prep line opposite taco area stained.
22-02-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling vents soiled throughout cook line, prep area and storage areas. **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting board by taco prep station has deep grooves in it.
14-09-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floors soiled throughout kitchen.
36-73-4
Basic - Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster. **Repeat Violation**
33-19-4
Basic - Single-service articles stored on a soiled surface. Wire rack holding single use chicken buckets soiled.
25-17-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. At corner near 3 compartment sink.
36-27-5
Basic - Clean utensils or equipment stored in dirty drawer or rack. Pans and utensils store on dirty rack opposite of fryer station.
24-06-4
50
Oct 2, 2025
Routine - Food
10 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer on prep line.
14-69-4
Basic - Inside/outside of dumpster not clean.
33-10-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Emailed to operator at time of inspection.
51-13-4
Basic - Bathroom facility in disrepair. Second bathroom closed for maintenance. **Repeat Violation**
32-05-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. -Stained ceiling tiles in prep area and dish area. -Floor drains soiled with build up and debris.
36-34-5
Basic - Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster.
33-19-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Hole in wall in dining area corner. **Repeat Violation**
36-24-5
Basic - Old food stuck to clean dishware/utensils. Plastic containers soiled near dish area.
16-48-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid.
33-16-4
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Hand sink faucet leaking in front drive thru area.
29-11-4
61
Oct 23, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Presence of 17 live ants in dining room - along wall and on table . Manager removed ants and sanitized area **Corrected On-Site**
35A-09-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Mac and cheese 117-122F inside warmer . Manager reheated to 166F. **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface ( nozzles ) soiled with build up at Bunn hot water system . Reviewed with manager .
22-02-4
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom - unisex bathroom .Reviewed with manager
32-12-5
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall by back exit near mop sink . Reviewed with manager .
36-24-5
Basic - Interior of warmer has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Reviewed with manager
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt. -Soiled walk in cooler shelves . - soiled gaskets of reach in cooler at front line - dust accumulation on small table top fan at front line area Reviewed with manager .
23-03-4
Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair. Second bathroom out of order due to maintenance service per manager .
29-08-4
52
Aug 16, 2024
Complaint Partial
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - -Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Large hole in floor with pipes exposed and disconnected by exit door in back kitchen -wood panels covering floor drains recently cemented in throughout cook line area - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-16: Multiple locations throughout kitchen with missing floor tiles. Large hole at rear of kitchen near mop sink has been filled in with concrete (repairs to pipes complete and concrete still setting. Wood panels covering previous floor drains removed. **Time Extended**
36-17-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Objectionable odors in back kitchen areas of the establishment. - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-16: Objectionable odor observed near mop sink where construction occurred **Time Extended**
36-64-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair. Women's restroom in process of repair due to clog - toilet removed . - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-16: Women's single use restroom remains out of service for repairs. Men's single use restroom temporarily used as unisex restroom. **Time Extended**
29-08-4
86
Aug 15, 2024
Complaint Partial
4 critical violations. 6 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - - nine live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area and food storage areas ; 25 live flies in dining area - three dead flies on top of boxes of tortillas in storage area .103 dead flies on window sill in dining room
35A-02-6
High Priority - Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment in drive thru area
41-05-4
High Priority - Sewage/wastewater backing up through floor drains. Water backing up onto floor surface when water is used in the dishwashing area . Per manager , she was instructed by plumbing service to not use the water . Water backed up on the floor when hand wash sink was used in kitchen by storage area and dishwashing area . Triple sink cannot be drained without backing up from floor drain.
28-26-5
High Priority - Water draining from air conditioner with green water pooling in parking area on ground of establishment draining from pipe on roof
28-13-5
Basic - -Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Large hole in floor with pipes exposed and disconnected by exit door in back kitchen -wood panels covering floor drains recently cemented in throughout cook line area
36-17-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside by drive thru
35B-01-4
Basic - Non working mop sink provided at establishment . Pipes disconnected due to plumbing issues at the establishment.
29-27-4
Basic - Objectionable odors in back kitchen areas of the establishment.
36-64-5
Basic - Outer openings not protected during operation and vermin and/or environmental cross contamination present. Back door left open during pipe repairs
35B-05-4
Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair. Women's restroom in process of repair due to clog - toilet removed .
29-08-4
41
Jul 12, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
58
Feb 16, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. -Ice cubes in hand wash sink near front counter area - reviewed with manager hand wash sinks are for washing hands only
31A-11-4
Basic - Reach-in freezer interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues at back cook line area **Repeat Violation**
22-16-4
86
Aug 9, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 8 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 2 flies in mop sink area. Did not land on food-contact surfaces, operator eradicated flies and cleaned and sanitized area. **Corrective Action Taken**
35A-02-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Reach-in cooler at 12:24pm shredded cheese (50F - Cold Holding) Operator moved item to walk-in freezer. Re temp at 1:00pm Shredded cheese 41f **Corrected On-Site**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Hose splitter on mop sink with hose connected.
29-42-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling tiles and vents in kitchen.
36-34-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting boards on reach-in coolers at taco station.
14-09-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Shelves in dish area pitted rust surface.
14-11-5
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Floor tiles cracked in mop sink area.
36-17-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on reach-in coolers at taco and chicken stations, walk-in freezer, walk-in cooler, and reach-in cooler near fat fryer. Soda nozzle brackets soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach-in coolers interior at taco station and near fat fryers.
22-16-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Walk-in cooler shelves
14-17-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Wet mops are not stored to dry in mop sink area.
42-01-4
43
Mar 1, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Certified Food Manager or person in charge failed to verify employee health, exclusions or restrictions. Emailed and discussed with operator.
11-02-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Current license not displayed at time of inspection.
50-09-4
Basic - Food storage container for time/temperature control for safety food not cleaned after being emptied prior to refilling. Ice tea bin in drive through shows interior staining.
22-09-5
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave oven on dry storage rack near the rear drive through area, shows accumulation of debris on interior. Oven above the duel sandwich presses shows accumulation of food debris.
22-08-4
74
Aug 29, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Y split on mop sink with no back flow preventer for hose. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-08-29: No vacuum breaker on Y hose bib yet at time of call back inspection. **Time Extended**
29-42-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Operator showed current license in three ring binder and not posted on wall in office. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-08-29: License in three ring binder at time of call back inspection. **Time Extended**
50-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting board on main line shows staining and cut marks. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-08-29: **Time Extended**
14-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employees working drive through window had no hair restraint. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-08-29: Operator with no hair restraint at time of call back inspection. **Time Extended**
13-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Hot hold oven opposite sandwich presses shows accumulation of debris and grease like substance. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-08-29: **Time Extended**
22-08-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Reach in cooler of chicken fry station. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-08-29: **Time Extended**
29-49-6
67
Frequently Asked Questions
When was KFC last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at KFC on file is from Feb 18, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at KFC?
Across the inspection record, “ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at KFC.
How does KFC compare to other restaurants in Clearwater?
KFC most recently scored 50 out of 100, which is lower than the Clearwater average of 79.
Has KFC's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at KFC have averaged around nine violations per visit, up from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at KFC means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is KFC inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, KFC is inspected around three times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants