ST. THOMAS — The operator of the KFC restaurant in downtown Charlotte Amalie is facing eviction over almost $40,000 in unpaid rent, according to a complaint filed in Virgin Islands Superior Court.
Drake’s Passage Inc., the landlord of the commercial property occupied by KFC, filed the eviction lawsuit on Tuesday against the restaurant’s owner and operator, Kazi Foods of the Virgin Islands Inc. The lawsuit alleges Kazi Foods failed to make timely rent payments over the last couple of years.
As of April, Kazi Foods allegedly owed $39,377.05 in unpaid rent and fees, according to the complaint. The lawsuit states that Kazi Foods entered a 10-year lease agreement with Drake’s Passage in August 2019. However, five years into the lease, Kazi Foods allegedly fell tens of thousands of dollars behind in rent.
According to the lawsuit, Kazi Foods was served with a Notice of Default letter from Drake’s Passage in November 2024 that stated the company owed $28,139.99 in unpaid rent and fees. Kazi Foods was then served with a Notice to Quit in May, informing the company that its lease was terminated due to nonpayment and that it must vacate the premises within three days, as stipulated in the lease.
The complaint alleges that after being served with the Notice to Quit, an attorney for Kazi Foods contacted Drake’s Passage to discuss the possibility of creating a payment plan that would allow Kazi Foods to pay off the unpaid rent and fees. However, the lawsuit states that the parties were unable to reach an agreement.
Drake’s Passage is seeking a court order to schedule a hearing for forcible entry and detainer, and ultimately to evict the tenant, regain possession of the premises, and recover costs and attorney’s fees.
This article has been updated: This article previously stated that the lawsuit alleges Kazi Foods failed to make timely rent payments “during the last several years.” It has been updated to state “over the last couple of years.”
