MARION COUNTY — After announcing earlier this summer that it would close up to 300 of its restaurants across the U.S., Pizza Hut on Tuesday permanently closed its locations in Centralia and Salem.

The company said in July that the 300 US locations “significantly under perform” compared with the rest of its locations, and it will help employees find jobs at nearby Pizza Hut restaurants. Locations in Carlyle, Mt. Vernon and Vandalia remain open.

The chain says it has been shifting away from opening and operating restaurants with dining rooms. Instead, it is encouraging customers to order pick-up through its website or third-party apps.

The 300 Pizza Hut restaurants were slated to permanently close following the bankruptcy of one the chain’s largest franchisees.

NPC International, which filed for Chapter 11 in July, announced an agreement Monday with Pizza Hut’s owner Yum! Brands (YUM) to close roughly a quarter of its restaurants and sell the remaining locations.

Nearly 20 Pizza Hut locations in south and central Illinois permanently shuttered their doors on Tuesday.