KFC/Taco Bell restaurant shuts down earlier after dozens of rats videotaped

The KFC/Taco Bell restaurant shut down earlier this year after dozens of rats were videotaped crawling around its floors will stay closed for good.

Photo: KFC/Taco Bell restaurant shuts down earlier after dozens of rats videotaped

City health inspectors ordered the Greenwich Village fast-food eatery closed in February after the videotape of the rodents skittering across the floor, climbing on tables and roaming the countertops in the early morning hours was circulated worldwide on the Internet.

While announcing its first-quarter earnings Tuesday, chain owner Yum! Brands Inc. said the now-infamous New York location would not reopen. The Louisville, Kentucky-based company, which operates KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut, also said it would review recommendations later this month from a pest control expert who is examining the franchise's operations nationwide.

"We are determined to prevent this incident from happening again," the company said.

The company had leased the Greenwich Village establishment. Ten other of the chain's restaurants that were closed in New York City after the videotape circulated have since reopened.