Major Restaurant Chains Set to Close Their Doors This Year
KFC
KFC is a big name in fast food, whether you like the wings or the legs. Every day, these places eat a huge amount of fried chicken, and it’s not difficult to find one near you. People who live near The Avenue Retail Park in Bradford, UK, will be sad to hear this, though: that store has closed and will not be reopening.
People in Bradford don’t have to worry too much because there are six other KFC restaurants in the area. No one knows why they decided to close this one.
Pizza Hut
It is challenging to make money in the pizza business. There are many of them, including Domino’s and Papa John’s. It appears that Pizza Hut is also struggling with modern life. Over 1,200 delivery drivers will lose their jobs on the West Coast in 2024. This will make Pizza Hut much less common in places like Los Angeles, Riverside, and Orange County. All of that is because of a new law in California that raised the minimum wage.
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Businesses in Southern Oregon, Reno-Tahoe, and Sacramento will also need to adapt to these changes. This is why you might want to make your ticket right away.
Wahlburgers
It’s not often that you find a restaurant company started by Marky Mark (without the Funky Bunch) and his brothers. Some people thought Wahlburgers would be a bit of a joke, but there’s no question that this burger chain has earned its place in the fast food world. In fact, every year more and more Wahlburgers open, and their simple but tasty menus amaze customers. In 2024, though, it lost one of its places.
The chain’s store in Ross Township, Pennsylvania, shut down in January, but the business didn’t say why. The chain doesn’t appear to have money problems, though.
Burger King
Of course, you already know that Burger King is one of the most well-known burger places in the world. But even though its annual sales keep going up (a bit like its menu), this business seems to be trying something new to keep things going well. Between 2023 and 2024, they want to close 300 stores across the country. Many of these stores have already closed.
The restaurants that are closing are older ones in the brand’s portfolio. Burger King is thought to focus more on high-performing restaurants located in prime locations during peak traffic periods.
Noodles & Company
There are a lot of restaurants at the Vienna Marketplace in Washington, D.C., as anyone who has been there will know. Shopping while hungry is beneficial, but it’s not so great for the restaurant that has to deal with higher rent and food costs. Noodles & Company announced its closure in January 2024 for this reason. It can’t afford to stay open now that things are changing.
Noodles & Company shut down completely a few weeks after the release of the news. However, there is still another place nearby, in Idylwood Plaza.
TGI Fridays
People used to like going to TGI Fridays for birthday parties and Friday night family dinners, but this restaurant chain has to deal with a lot of competition every day. You may love their food, but we’re sorry to say that 36 TGI Fridays restaurants will be closing in 2024 alone. The closure of these restaurants will occur on both the east and west sides.
The company says that closing these restaurants will help them keep up their “ongoing growth strategy” and give them more time to focus on their other restaurants. Thankfully, the company will relocate 80% of the closing staff to nearby restaurants.
Starbucks
Coffee chain Starbucks is closing some stores, as you may know. Accusations of closing down 23 sites in the U.S. without permission did not bode well for the big coffee chain. They took the coffee chain to court and demanded that it reopen all of its closed sites, thereby restoring the wages of the workers who had lost their jobs.
There are still no reopening dates for the stores, and experts aren’t sure what this means for the Seattle-based coffee chain. Do they intend to close even more stores? Will they stop there?
Papa John’s
Even without understanding the plastic triangle in the middle of their pizzas, Papa John’s is the food service leader. Even though most of their sites only deliver, it appears that the company is still having trouble adapting to the changing restaurant business. Because of this, they may have to close 100 shops in the United Kingdom.
But this isn’t just a matter of money. People have said that Papa John’s wants to reevaluate its position in the fast food industry. As a result, the company will spend more time and effort on certain sites.
Joe’s Crab Shack
People from and visiting New Jersey have always loved eating at Joe’s Crab Shack because of its tasty food and home-style cooking. But people who want to eat crab will have to find another place to do so since Joe’s Crab Shack in The Promenade Shops at Clifton closed on December 31, 2023. The COO explained that the lease had expired.
While this surprised many, it’s important to remember that there is still a Joe’s Crab Shack in New Jersey. Just be ready to put in a little more work to get a ticket.
Dairy Queen
Before getting mad, remember this is not the Dairy Queen where you get ice cream after work. If you happen to be in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, this is the Dairy Queen Grill & Chill. This classic dairy queen at 230 Steinwehr Avenue has been open for more than 60 years and is a firm fixture in the neighborhood. But it shut down for good in 2023.
At this point, you won’t be able to make an appointment because it looks like there are no plans to open a newer Dairy Queen here. It’s no longer there, though.
Chili’s
Every famous person, no matter how rich, goes to Chili’s for fast food for a reason. There are over 1,500 sites across the country. The menu is very long, and the food is very tasty, making it one of the best fast food chains in the U.S. But after January 9, 2024, when the Charlotte, North Carolina, Chili’s at 8136 Providence Road closed, there was one less.
Their lease at the Arboretum Shopping Center had ended, and they didn’t want to pay the higher rent. So, they chose to ditch the ship instead.
Denny’s
Dinky’s is an American institution, with thousands of locations all over the land. Since you can’t make a ticket at this fast food chain, there are often lines of people waiting to get their favorite foods. But did you know that Denny’s is shutting down? One store in Oakland is closing down.
Denny’s didn’t want to close this site because it would hurt their business. They monitored rising crime rates but prioritized worker safety.
California Pizza Kitchen
We’ll guess that you don’t live in California if you haven’t heard of California Pizza Kitchen. However, those familiar with this food chain are aware that it offers a fantastic menu at competitive prices, and some individuals simply cannot get enough of it. This is why many people will be disappointed to learn that it is now closed. This business is closing down a popular restaurant in Roseville’s Fountains. However, the company is not closing many locations.
It is said that this business decision was based on strategy rather than money concerns, since all of the restaurants in this area are apparently changing and being switched up.
Subway
Don’t worry too much if you think you won’t be able to get your foot long soon. Subway has closed a store, but only the one at 4206 Route 31 in Clay, Syracuse. People perceive the closure of the nearby Great Northern Mall as a blow.
It didn’t make sense for the chain to keep this site open when there were fewer customers and fewer people walking by. They don’t plan to close any more sites, which is positive news.
McDonald’s
McDonald’s is probably the largest company on this list, but even a large company is still dealing with the effects of the epidemic. Actually, COVID rules and reduced foot traffic really hurt McDonald’s, and you could see that in the numbers. McDonald’s had to shut down a huge 239 sites for benefit in 2021 alone, and this continued into 2022 and 2023. Even in 2024, it’s still going on.
Overall, since the pandemic, McDonald’s has had to close about 5% of its restaurants. However, this has been beneficial for the company because sales have increased by an impressive 32%.
Cracker Barrel
In the hotel business, the COVID-19 pandemic had a big effect, and some of the bigger players are still feeling the effects of that terrible time. Because of this, even Cracker Barrel had to make some hard choices in 2023. In fact, they shut down three of their stores very quickly because of rising costs, higher rent, and fewer people. They did, however, open a few more places.
So, Cracker Barrel doesn’t know what will happen in 2024. There aren’t any plans to close right away, but that doesn’t mean that some places won’t be open soon.
McCormick & Schmick’s
McCormick & Schmick’s isn’t the biggest place on the list, but it has a lot of loyal customers who love this steak and seafood restaurant. You might be sad to hear that the Oak Brook store closed on January 1, 2024, if you’re in Illinois and want some surf and turf. This means that you will have to go to either Chicago or Rosemont to enjoy this tasty menu.
Instead, you could go to one of the 18 other places across the country. We should hope that the company doesn’t close any more restaurants this year.
Five Guys
Is it true that everyone loves Five Guys? There are a lot of fast food chains that change their menus and make portions smaller, but Five Guys always serves excellent food in big amounts at a price that most people can afford. Despite the company’s reported annual profits, they have closed Five Guys restaurants globally and in the U.S. But for them, it’s all about how well they do.
If a business isn’t getting the number of customers or sales they want, they may decide to close and try a new place. This is likely to be the case in 2024.
IHOP
IHOP calls itself the “International House of Pancakes,” but their menu has a lot more than just fluffy treats. A lot of people eat there for breakfast, and kids and adults alike love it. However, if you were planning to try the food at the IHOP in West Hollywood, you might want to change your mind. That site will not be open again until January 2024.
The building at 8461 Santa Monica Blvd. used to be a restaurant that was open 24 hours a day, but now it’s just a shell. You won’t have to go too far to get to the closest one, though, because there’s one on Sunset Blvd.
Le Pain Quotidien
Le Pain Quotidien is a well-known chain, even though it’s not very big. People used to be able to pick up beautiful French pastries and baked goods at more than 50 sites across the country. Despite the site’s longstanding popularity in Arlington, Virginia, its closure occurred in January 2024 for unknown reasons. There is talk that this isn’t the only place that will close down this year.
The high cost of food and growing rent were considered too much for this location to handle. The chain wanted to cut their losses before things got even worse from a financial point of view.
Quizno’s
In the past, Quiznos was one of the most well-known food chains in the United States. There used to be more than 5,000 Quiznos in the United States, and most people didn’t have to go very far to get to one. That number is very different now, though. By the end of 2023, there would be only 145 sites left in the country. In 2024, that number is going to drop even more.
It came as a surprise to many when Quizno closed, but it’s rare for such a big chain to have over 90% of its locations shut down. They keep fighting bankruptcy, which is a shame.
Long John Silver’s
If you know anything about Long John Silver’s, you know that their fish menu is famous. However, it’s also known for having major money problems. The restaurant chain has gone bankrupt several times, which has definitely affected the number of sites across the country. It plans to close more shops in 2024, but it will also open some new ones!
In fact, after being a franchise for a long time, this business just finished a big reorganization process. In a strange turn of events, the business will also buy back some of its franchised sites.
Bonefish Grill
Some of these restaurants told their customers ahead of time that they were closing, but the Boise, Idaho Bonefish Grill didn’t. All of those who worked at and visited this place were shocked when it closed in January 2024. No one knew it was going to happen. In addition, this diner had been open for 15 years and was crucial to the people in the area.
A lot of people were sad when they heard that the restaurant had closed. However, it is thought that the closing was due to rumors of a changing restaurant scene in Boise.
Church’s Chicken
It must be challenging to run a fast-food chicken business successfully these days. How can you compete with KFC, after all? But what we love about Church’s Chicken is that they have tried to stand their ground and go up against these big names. In fact, they’ve been open since 1952 and still look like they’re going strong, even though they’re in Whitehall, Ohio.
Church’s Chicken closed in January, and no one knew why. They said it was only for three months, but nobody knew for sure. But three months have gone by, and it’s still not open.
Panera
The wonderful food and beautiful restaurants at Panera Bread have won over many loyal customers, but the company has had a rough go of it over the years. Since there are so many other places to choose from, it looks like Panera can’t quite keep up with the big dogs. It’s also had a lot of unfortunate luck, like when a car accident in 2023 closed down the National Avenue, Springfield site.
A few more places have already shut down in 2024, which has led many people to think that there will be more stops. For that reason, if you want to, you should book now.
Pollo Tropical
When you compare Pollo Tropical to some of the other big names on this list, it’s simple to miss. There are individuals who have never heard of this chain before, as well as those who are ardent fans. But this place has a fantastic menu, and a lot of people make reservations ahead of time. Because of this, people in the Regency area of Arlington were very upset when their Pollo Tropical store closed.
As a result, Panda Express bought the lease, and it will not be opening again. The Panda has now taken over the Pollo, and it’s official.
Hardee’s
Some Hardee’s restaurants in central Illinois are closing down, so if you live there and like the chain, you may have already heard about it. Five stores in Illinois have already closed this year alone, and it all happened very quickly. The staff received the news on a Monday, but by Wednesday, new owners had already taken over the sites.
Hardee’s reportedly left the locations because their leases had expired, but some employees questioned why they hadn’t received more notice if this had always been the case.
JR’s Hometown Grill and Pub
People in Michigan have been going to JR’s Hometown Grill and Pub for a long time. They make regular plans and buy gift cards for their food-loving friends and family. People in the area were shocked when, in January 2024, the restaurant company said it would be closing four of its Michigan locations. Plus, they didn’t tell customers much in advance, which made people with gift cards angry.
Many other fans of JR’s Hometown Grill & Pub are uncertain about the future of the business after this decision. Will more locations close in the coming months?
PDQ
We love chicken restaurants with names that are only three letters long, and PDQ is one of them. There are still a lot of PDQs in the United States, but New Jersey only has one left. That’s because the restaurant company abruptly closed down its Cherry Hill and Sicklerville locations in 2024. Now, many people are wondering if the last location will also close later that same year.
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This is even stranger when you consider that PDQ didn’t explain why it made its choice. Instead, they simply thanked their long-time fans for their business over the years.
Jason’s Deli
The food on Jason’s plate is delicious that we’d love to meet him and shake his hand. We don’t know who he is. People in Athens, Ohio, have loved this place for decades, but it looks like the time for eating at Jason’s is over. Early in 2024, this place closed, and it didn’t take long for something else to open in its place.
First Watch, an eatery, will open in its place. It is known for serving excellent breakfast and lunch. That means there will still be places to eat in Athens, but it won’t be the same.
The Black Lab Coffee Co.
Coffee from a real coffee shop is much better than coffee you make at home. If you need a caffeine fix, the menu at The Black Lab Coffee Co. is worth a visit. If you’re near downtown Springfield, Missouri, though, you’ll have to go a little farther to get your Black Lab fix from now on. In late 2023, the coffee company closed its downtown store and has no plans to open it again.
So, the next time you need a coffee fix, you’ll have to go to one of the chain’s stores in Republic or Galloway Village. There is still the Black Lab Coffee Co., and they’ll be delighted to make you a cup of coffee.
Sugarfire Smokehouse
A lot of people in the US can’t get enough smokehouse food, and Sugarfire Smokehouse has a fantastic menu. This business is still open in other parts of the country, but the Cedar Rapids restaurant will not be taking reservations any time soon. Indeed, this place shut down in late 2023, having been open for three years. At that point, it served a large part of the community and gained a large group of loyal fans.
But it’s thought that the chain couldn’t handle the rising rent and other costs of doing business in the area. In the end, they chose to close the restaurant because they had lost so much money.
Pieology Pizzeria
At every pizza restaurant, pizza is on the menu. However, what distinguishes Pieology Pizzeria is that customers can make their own pizzas. Because of this, people have been making orders for years on end. There are many successful Pieology Pizzerias across the country, but the one in the UV Business Center in Sacramento, California, will close in 2024. Why? People think that the competition is too strong.
Choosing the right location for Pieology Pizzeria is crucial in a world where Domino’s and Papa John’s dominate. And it looks like Sacramento wasn’t the right place for them.
McAlister’s Deli
Restaurants closing down often have nothing to do with how well the business did. Sometimes, the place is everything. And that appears to be the case with Charlotte McCalister’s Deli, which closed in the Arboretum Shopping Center. Customers really liked the food at this place, but it closed in 2024, along with many other places in the shopping center.
Because McAlister’s wasn’t the only one, it’s clear that shopping areas can have a big effect on the future of restaurants. In this case, it just wasn’t meant to be.
Eat’n Park
What’s the name of the Eat’n Park cookie that makes people smile? People from Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia should go, because Eat’n Park has been a part of these states since 1949. Sadly, the company closed the Highlands Eat’n Park restaurant at the start of the year. There are still many restaurants that serve this family-friendly menu and accept reservations from hungry people. Regrettably, they didn’t provide an explanation.
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We know workers from that location were given the chance to move to nearby sites, so they weren’t thrown out.
Johnny’s Pizza
There are a lot of pizza places in New York, but everyone has a favorite. When they’re hungry, they eat here for lunch, dinner, or just a snack in the middle of the afternoon. For many, that spot was Johnny’s Pizza in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park. This famous restaurant had been making pizza in the same spot for more than 56 years. In January 2024, it closed for good.
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Clients were sad about this turn of events, but the story is a delightful one. Since John and Lilia Miniaci had been running the business for decades, they chose to retire and close it down.
Fuddruckers
Anyone who has been to a Fuddruckers restaurant knows that it’s not like any other business. The menu offers a wide variety of options, including made-to-order burgers and sauce carts for customization. Plus, there’s a bakery right there so you can pick up some baked goods on your way out! Fuddruckers in Waco, Texas, closed for excellent in late 2023, even though people love it.
What’s amazing about this place is that it stood strong for forty years, even though it went bankrupt and changed hands several times. It eventually couldn’t keep up with restaurant changes and price increases.
Bagger Dave’s
Put your hands up if you’re from Michigan. Since you said that, we’ll assume that you know about Bagger Dave’s. This Michigan-based restaurant company used to be popular throughout the state. People loved the homestyle menu, which had something for everyone, whether they wanted a fancy pizza or a messy burger. But Bagger Dave’s has been struggling financially for a long time, and as a result, they have had to close many of their stores.
It caught some people by surprise that the head office chose to do this instead of filing for bankruptcy. Restructuring in this manner is believed to be their attempt to maintain at least some of their sites.
Momofuku Ko
Another location on this list that stands out is the next one. That’s because Momofuku Ko is a two-Michelin-star restaurant, not just any restaurant. We should definitely say it was a two-Michelin-star restaurant, though, since it shut down in November 2023. Although the famous cook might be upset, David Chang seems to have more important things to do.
After going through a reorganization, David Chang and CEO Marguerite Zabar Mariscal want to make things different. David Chang and CEO Marguerite Zabar Mariscal still own the room, making it available for other uses.
Milu
According to those familiar with New York City, they will either make it or break it. Plus, it’s simple to lose your mind in New York City with all the sales and rising rent prices. Milu, a Chinese restaurant, experienced this in 2024. It was a popular Williamsburg diner with a delicious menu until it suddenly closed earlier this year, which shocked people in the area.
Even though it was only open for six months, it made an impact. In the end, though, the owners couldn’t keep the place open because the rent was too high.
