Last Call: Restaurant Chains Closing Locations by 2020

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The last few years haven’t been kind to some of the biggest contributors in the restaurant industry. More and more people are favoring family-owned, indie restaurants for their meals and less are choosing to cash in on the already wealthy chains that span across America. They won’t be wealthy for long, however, because a lot of chains have had to shut up shop in some of their many locations due to a decrease in loyal diners. Here are 29 restaurant chains that are closing locations before the year is out.

IHOP

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IHOP has been an American staple for its pancakes, waffles, and all other kinds of breakfast foods since it was first opened in 1958. However, the chain has been on a decline thanks to the increase in more health aware Americans. Even the restaurant’s crack at adding more items to its menu couldn’t save it. In 2018, IHOP briefly changed its name to IHOB, as in the International House of Burgers, because it added 10 burgers to its menu. It did them no favors, and the chain is planning on closing 30-40 stores by the end of this year.

Luby’s

Restaurants Closing Luby's
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Luby’s used to be a Texan staple, but it looks like the people of Texas are losing their appetites when it comes to deep-fat fried … everything. There used to be a Luby’s on every corner in the southern state, kind of like a Starbucks in California. Luby’s sales have been on a steady decline over the last few years, and 2019 has been no different for the Texan chain. Already this year, four of the 84 locations the chain kicked off 2019 with have been shut down.

TGI Fridays

Restaurants Closing Fridays
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Despite a number of menu changes, TGI Fridays just isn’t down with the kids like it used to be. The restaurant first opened its doors in 1965 and quickly became a must-visit location for birthday parties, dates, casual hangouts, you name it. The chain was intended to be a singles bar when it first opened before it became kid central. TGI’s have been making some changes to get back to their roots, but it looks like it’s too late, as five restaurants have already closed this year so far.

Taco Bell

Restaurants Closing Taco Bell
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We thought Taco Bell would remain untouched forever, but we guess we were wrong. The restaurant has had one of the most affordable menus when compared to its competitors for years now, but despite this, fewer and fewer people are choosing to chow down on the chain’s Mexican goodness. So far this year, Taco Bell has closed half a dozen of its hundreds of locations, which may not seem like a lot, but it’s just the beginning. Taco Bell have done their best to combat the decline in sales, even opening a pop-up hotel in Cali. Still, it doesn’t look good.

McCormick & Schmick’s

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McCormick & Schmick’s seafood and steak restaurants were bought by the same guys who own Bubba Gump Shrimp Company in 2016 and ever since then, things just haven’t been looking good for the restaurant chain. When the company was purchased by Bubba Gump, McCormick & Schmick’s had 85 locations across America, now, it only has 36. That’s a downgrade if we ever saw one. In 2019 alone there have been six closures in cities including St. Louis, Denver, and Providence, Rhode Island. It doesn’t look like it’ll be long before M&S throws in the towel altogether.

Papa John’s

Restaurants Closing Papa Johns
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Papa John’s has more complicated reasons for its decline in sales over the last few years. Let us tell you why. The former CEO of the pizza company was not the greatest of guys. In 2018, a Forbes article outed the businessman, named John Schnatter, for using the N-word while he was on a conference call. Because of this, he had to give up his CEO position and then ultimately, his role as chairman. This, along with rumors of an awful company culture where sexual harassment was common, has lead to a number of Papa John’s store closures this year.

Chipotle

Restaurants Closing Chipotle
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We feel like everyone is obsessed with Chipotle these days, but their sales kind of say otherwise. The chain only opened in 1993, so you’d think that it would still be relatively successful. However, due to some pretty intense health concerns that some customers had, fewer and fewer people have been flocking to Chipotle for their Mexican food fix. Because of this, Chipotle has put a program in place in an attempt to bring back customers, including a loyalty system. Still, up to 65 stores are due to close in 2020 and there are still some yet to close in 2019.

Subway

Restaurants Closing Subway
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Back in the early 2000s when Subway first opened up, lots of people considered it to be a healthy fast food alternative thanks to the chain’s “Eat Fresh” campaign. These days, however, we know more about what’s actually good for us to be putting into our bodies and unfortunately, Subway ain’t it. Last year, at least 1,100 Subway stores shut down across America. The chain’s website shows that they have more than 24,000 stores open in the US alone, but it’s predicted that at least the same number of locations as last year, if not more, will close in 2019.

Applebee’s

Restaurants Closing Applebee's
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Applebee’s has been around since the early ’80s, so it’s no surprise that they’re a little behind when it comes to food trends. They’re nearing 40, after all! The chain has attempted to target the younger generation by introducing an app and online ordering service and delivery. They’ve also tried to introduce some healthier menu options for the millenials to enjoy. Still, in 2018, 90 Applebee’s restaurants closed and they plan to cut another 20 before 2019 is out.

Jack in the Box

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Let’s be honest, Jack in the Box has never been as popular as its competitors. Ever since it opened in 1951, kids all over America still chose McDonald’s over poor Jack, and it’s no different today. The company that owns Jack in the Box also owned Mexican joint Qdoba until they sold it in 2018. Ever since then, the burger chain has lost more and more business and has to close some of its locations as a result. The company predicts that it will have to close 14 stores this year alone.

Red Robin

Restaurants Closing Red Robin
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Back in the day, families would often choose to eat fast food while in the mall with their kids on shopping trips. This is why lots of establishments wanted to nab a spot in a mall food court. Red Robin had that idea when it opened over 50 years ago, but it looks like the idea has backfired on them in 2019. Ten Red Robin restaurants have closed so far this year, seven of which were located in shopping malls. It looks like Red Robin won’t be flying so high much longer …

Ruby Tuesday

Restaurants Closing Ruby Tuesday
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Casual dining spot Ruby Tuesday has been loved by Americans since it was first established in 1972. Unlike most of the chains on this list, Ruby Tuesday was ahead of its time with the healthy food buzz and is known for its great salad bar. Still, salad couldn’t save the chain and a whopping 26 of its establishments have shut down so far this year. That’s on top of the 51 locations that called it quits in 2018. Some of the locations that have lost Ruby Tuesday so far this year include New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

Steak ”˜n Shake

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It might shock you when you learn how many Steak ‘n Shakes have been forced to shut up shop before 2020. The Indiana based chain is known for its affordable meat options and thick milkshakes, but it looks like that’s the last thing people in Indiana have been craving this year, as 106 locations of the eatery have already closed. There have been rumors that the closings are just “temporary,” and that most of the Steak ‘n Shakes will re-open, but how many chains have you seen do that in recent years?

Burger King

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Along with McDonald’s, Burger King is one of the biggest names in the fast-food industry. Still, even the home of the Whopper can’t escape closures this year. In fact, Burger King has closed at least 100 of its restaurants over the last few years, but 2019 is about to take the cake. It’s predicted that the establishment will turn the lights out in up to 250 of its restaurants before the year is out. The chain is expected to make like its biggest competitors and bring in new ordering technology to keep whatever customers it has left.

Pizza Hut

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Pizza Hut used to be the place to be for birthday parties, dates, you name it. But unfortunately, people are happier spending their money on authentic Italian food rather than greasy goodness in the Hut. The restaurant chain is one of the oldest sit-down pizza joints in the restaurant business, but soon you’ll no longer be able to sit in and enjoy a pizza and Pepsi, as Pizza Hut is becoming take out only. As they transition from restaurant to fast food, 450 Pizza Hut locations will close before 2020.

Carl’s Jr.

Restaurants Closing Carl's
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Originally called Carl’s Drive-In Barbeque when it was founded in 1945, Carl’s Jr. is another fast food joint that can’t hold the weight of the healthy food movement. In 2017, a lawsuit was filed against the chain’s former CEO Jason Marker for allegedly discriminating against older employees. Its parent company shut down its HQ in Anaheim in 2018 and since then, things have gone from bad to worse. Each of these factors has lead to multiple locations being shut down, with more to come by the beginning of 2020.

O’Charley’s

Restaurants Closing O'Charleys
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O’Charley’s has been a southern delicacy since it opened its doors in 1971 in Tennessee and now spans across 17 states in the US, serving up free pies on Wednesdays and all-you-can-eat catfish on Thursdays. Unfortunately, it’ll be harder for O’Charley’s fans to find somewhere to get their southern fried fix come 2020, because a ton of restaurants have shut down so far in 2019. Earlier in the year, six locations shut down, including the one near the theme parks in Orlando, and over the summer, a further eight restaurants shut up shop.

Quiznos

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We learned from Subway that the sub market isn’t doing too hot this year. Quiznos is another example of the sub failure in 2019, although we have to admit, the establishment was never as successful as its competitor. Over 10 years, the popular sandwich shop has declined from 4,700 US locations to fewer than 400, which may still seem like a lot, but is a pretty rapid decreasing rate for a big company. The chain is due to close more stores this year and soon all we’ll be left with will be falafel in lettuce wraps.

Boston Market

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Boston Market first opened in 1985 under the name Boston Chicken because its staple menu item was rotisserie chickens. This year, the chain has closed 10% of its stores, shutting 45 of its 450 locations, including the last two in Boston, which is literally the place it got its name. This isn’t the first time the chain has been in hot water. The company filed for bankruptcy in 1998, but two years later it was saved by fast-food giant McDonald’s. McDonald’s bailed in 2007 and once again, Boston Market needs a dig out.

Friendly’s

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Friendly’s started out as a singular “Friendly” in Massachusetts in 1935 and soley sold ice cream to its loyal customers. It eventually added a burger to its menu, and just five years later became a family-friendly diner. There was once 500 Friendly’s locations scattered around America, but by the start of 2019, there were only 200 left. Back in April, the CEO announced that a further 23 locations would lose their Friendly’s in the coming months. BRB, stocking up on those milkshakes before they’re gone forever.

Kona Grill

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Kona Grill introduced Asian cuisine to America in a way that nobody had seen before when it opened its first location in 1998. Sales began dropping off in 2015, leading the company to cut back costs on their ingredients, staff, decor, basically everything that makes customers want to dine somewhere. Because of this, sales continued to drop, and this year, the chain filed for bankruptcy. As a result, 19 locations have closed and the company is now in search of a buyer.

Marie Callender’s

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You might recognize the name Marie Callender from the frozen section of the grocery store on your favorite baked goods and pot pies. However, Marie was a real person, just like Betty Crocker. Betty started making pies at home in the ’40s and they became so popular that she opened her own restaurant chain. The chain is co-owned by Perkins (which also isn’t doing too well) and recently filed for bankruptcy. With 19 closures this year, there are now just 24 of the original 50 locations still standing.

Fuddruckers

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Fuddruckers is owned by the same people who own Luby’s, so you already know that they’re not doing too well. The restaurant that once bragged about having the world’s “best burgers” is seriously struggling, and as Luby’s shuts down their own restaurants, they’re also getting rid of their Fuddruckers locations, too. There were 60 Fuddruckers that were owned by Luby’s at the end of 2018, but now there are just 49. Altogether, there are 150 Fuddruckers around the world, but most are franchised.

Perkins

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Perkins was first established in Cincinnati in the late 1950s and became instantly recognized for its amazing buttermilk pancakes, thus giving it the name Perkins Pancake House. The chain failed to have life-long success, however, and in 2011 it filed for bankruptcy. Since then, the chain has closed a number of locations, usually without warning, and things have only gotten worse. The company filed for bankruptcy once again this year and already 10 more of its locations have closed their doors.

Starbucks

Restaurants Closing Starbucks
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Starbucks is probably the last establishment you thought you’d see on this list, yet here it is. The chain is arguably the most successful coffee company in the world and has over 30,000 locations to choose from worldwide. By next year, however, you might have to walk further than around the block for a taste of that sweet cold brew goodness, because Starbucks is planning on closing 150 locations by the end of this year. The company isn’t in too much danger, as the reason officials gave for closing the stores was that they were “performing badly.” Sounds fair to us!

Noodles & Company

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Noodles & Company was founded in 1995 and had a few years of success before their revenue started to decline. People just didn’t want to get in on the noodle buzz as much after the early 2000s. The straw that broke the camel’s back though, was a data breach in 2016 that compromised the security of debit and credit cards at Noodles & Company locations all over the states. The data breach ended up costing the company $11 million (yikes) and they had to close 10% of their locations in 2018 with more to come this year.

Joe’s Crab Shack

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Joe’s Crab Shack is an informal seafood chain that specializes in huge buckets of crab, stuffed shrimp, and a boatload of other American comfort dishes that we love. It could have been their competition with Bubba Gump or independent seafood restaurants that sent them down the toilet, but whatever it was, something happened that made Joe’s less desirable for customers. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2017 and abruptly closed 41 of its locations. There are currently 58 locations still open, but more are expected to close this year.

Hometown Buffet

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It’s no secret that buffets are becoming less and less popular. Now that people are becoming more aware of their health, they’d rather eat fresh, made to order meals rather than pre-cooked options that may or may not have been sitting out for a while. So, it makes sense that Hometown Buffet is in a bit of a pickle. Back in 2016, Hometown Buffet filed for bankruptcy for the third time. Since then, it has slowly been closely locations around the country, including all of its Connecticut branches. The company is set to close another 92 this year.

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