One Restaurant, Four Inspections: A Case Study of Church's Chicken #982

The Pattern of Violations

CHICAGO, IL - In the bustling Auburn Gresham neighborhood on Chicago's South Side, Church's Chicken #982 stands as a familiar fixture at 58 W 79th Street. Over the past year, this fast-food establishment has undergone four separate health inspections, revealing a concerning pattern of recurring violations that offers valuable insights into the challenges of maintaining food safety standards in high-volume restaurant operations.

An analysis of official Chicago Department of Public Health inspection records obtained by CleanKitchens.org shows that between January 2024 and April 2025, Church's Chicken #982 failed two inspections and passed two others. The most recent inspection on April 9, 2025, resulted in failure, with inspectors documenting evidence of rodent activity that had persisted despite previous citations.

The April 2025 Inspection: What Went Wrong

The most recent inspection on April 9, 2025, revealed eight violations, with rodent activity being the most serious concern. According to the official inspection report, health inspectors observed "approximately 40 or more mice droppings on wall ledge at drive-thru, on service counter behind register, on top of soda boxes under front service counter, rear hallway outside of toilet rooms." This violation resulted in a citation under municipal code 7-38-020(A), which addresses pest control requirements.

Beyond rodent activity, inspectors documented several maintenance issues that could contribute to sanitation problems, including:

Notably, inspectors specifically cited the establishment for failing to correct a previous violation from January 18, 2024, regarding the gap in the rear door that could facilitate pest entry. This recurring issue highlights a critical area where the restaurant failed to implement lasting corrective actions.

Historical Context: A Pattern Emerges

Examining the inspection history of Church's Chicken #982 reveals that many of the issues identified in April 2025 were not new problems. The January 18, 2024 inspection, which also resulted in failure, documented similar concerns with structural integrity that could allow pest entry.

Between the failed inspections, Church's Chicken #982 did manage to pass two inspections in mid-2024, suggesting that the restaurant periodically addressed violations but struggled to maintain compliance over time. This pattern is not uncommon in fast-food establishments, where high staff turnover and operational pressures can make sustained compliance challenging.

Rodent Issues: A Persistent Problem

The presence of rodent droppings in multiple customer-facing areas represents one of the most serious violations documented at Church's Chicken #982. Rodent infestations pose significant public health risks, as mice can transmit various pathogens through their droppings, urine, and hair.

The April 2025 inspection report specifically noted that mice droppings were found in areas where food and beverages are prepared and served, including:

The inspector's recommendation that the establishment "have a pest control operator service premises on or after 4/9/25" suggests that the current pest management program was inadequate. The citation issued under municipal code 7-38-020(A) indicates that this violation was considered serious enough to warrant formal enforcement action.

Structural and Maintenance Issues

A closer examination of the inspection reports reveals that many of the violations at Church's Chicken #982 relate to structural and maintenance deficiencies that create conditions conducive to pest infestations and sanitation problems.

The gap in the rear door, specifically cited in both the January 2024 and April 2025 inspections, is particularly concerning as it provides an entry point for rodents. The failure to address this issue despite previous citations suggests potential systemic problems with the facility's maintenance program or responsiveness to health code requirements.

Comparing Church's Chicken #982 to Industry Peers

To provide context for these findings, we analyzed inspection results from other chicken-focused fast-food establishments in Chicago during the same period. This comparison reveals that while some violations are common across similar establishments, the persistence of rodent activity at Church's Chicken #982 stands out as particularly concerning.

Our analysis found that while many fast-food chicken establishments in Chicago were cited for equipment issues and floor cleanliness problems, only about 18% had documented rodent activity. This places Church's Chicken #982 among a minority of establishments with this serious violation.

Other chicken restaurants in the same general area, such as Harold's Chicken locations and Popeye's, had varying inspection results but generally showed better compliance with pest control requirements. For example, a nearby Harold's Chicken at 7318 S. Vincennes Ave. passed its April 14, 2025 inspection with 5 violations, none related to pest activity.

The Neighborhood Context

Church's Chicken #982 is located in Chicago's Auburn Gresham neighborhood, a predominantly residential area on the city's South Side. The 79th Street corridor where this restaurant is situated is a major commercial thoroughfare serving local residents.

Fast-food establishments like Church's Chicken play an important role in many urban neighborhoods, providing affordable food options in areas that may have limited access to full-service grocery stores or restaurants. This makes the maintenance of proper food safety standards particularly important for community health.

The 24% failure rate for restaurant inspections in Auburn Gresham aligns with the citywide average, suggesting that the challenges faced by Church's Chicken #982 are not unique to this neighborhood. However, the persistence of serious violations like rodent activity warrants particular attention.

What This Means for Consumers

For residents and visitors to Auburn Gresham who patronize Church's Chicken #982, these inspection findings raise important concerns about food safety. The presence of rodent droppings in food preparation and service areas indicates a significant risk of contamination that could potentially lead to foodborne illness.

The Chicago Department of Public Health's inspection system is designed to identify such risks before they result in illness outbreaks. The issuance of citations and failed inspections serves as an enforcement mechanism to compel establishments to address violations promptly.

Consumers can check the inspection history of any Chicago food establishment through the City of Chicago Data Portal or through resources like CleanKitchens.org, which provides user-friendly access to official inspection data.

Looking Forward: The Path to Compliance

For Church's Chicken #982, addressing the violations identified in the April 2025 inspection will require a comprehensive approach to facility maintenance, pest control, and sanitation practices. Based on the pattern of violations observed, particular attention should be paid to:

1. Structural repairs to eliminate pest entry points, particularly the gap in the rear door that has been cited in multiple inspections
2. Enhanced pest control measures with regular professional service to eliminate the existing rodent infestation
3. Equipment maintenance to address issues with cooler shelving and door gaskets
4. Improved cleaning protocols to eliminate food debris that can attract pests
5. Staff training to ensure consistent implementation of food safety practices

The establishment will likely face follow-up inspections to verify that these issues have been addressed. Failure to correct violations, particularly those related to pest activity, could result in additional enforcement actions or temporary closure if conditions are deemed to present an imminent health hazard.

Conclusion

The case of Church's Chicken #982 illustrates the ongoing challenges of maintaining food safety compliance in fast-food establishments. While the restaurant has alternated between passing and failing inspections over the past year, the persistence of serious violations like rodent activity indicates systemic issues that require sustained attention.

For consumers, this case study underscores the importance of public health inspections in identifying and addressing food safety risks. By making inspection data publicly available, the Chicago Department of Public Health empowers residents to make informed decisions about where they choose to dine.

UPDATE 4/18/25

Church's Chicken #982 recnetly passed their April 18, 2025 inspections. Although several violations were noticed, this is a great improvement.

As Church's Chicken #982 works to address its current violations, its experience serves as a reminder of the continuous vigilance required to maintain safe food handling practices in high-volume restaurant operations. The path from failed inspection to sustained compliance requires not just immediate corrections but long-term commitment to food safety principles.