By Jennifer Theurer

On January 6, 2026, Carlos O’Kelly’s permanently closed the doors of its Manhattan location after 37 years, according to a Manhattan Mercury article by Cole Bertelsen.

Restaurant officials expressed their gratitude to the community for their many years of support. There were reports that employees hadn’t been told until shortly before the closure.

The first Carlos O’Kellys was opened in Marion, Iowa, in 1981 by brothers David and Darrel Rolph. A few expressed shock at the closure on social media because the chain had occupied a corner spot in Manhattan Town Center since 1989 before moving to Manhattan Crossing shopping center in 2015.

Carlos O’Kelly’s now has five active locations in Kansas – three in Wichita, one in Salina, and one in Hutchinson.