You know how sometimes there’s a rumor going around that a place you like is shutting down? Applebee’s is one of those names you hear people worry about. So, if you’re wondering whether your neighborhood Applebee’s is here to stay, you’re not alone. The answer isn’t a simple yes or no, but it’s definitely not as dire as some headlines make it sound.
Applebee’s Has Some Real Challenges Right Now
Applebee’s isn’t disappearing off the map. That’s not what’s happening. But the truth is, the company has hit some bumps—especially over the last year or two. Like a lot of big restaurant chains, it’s been squeezed by high costs and the way people are eating out these days.
The parent company, Dine Brands, made it clear that things aren’t at crisis level, but they are closing several dozen restaurants. It’s not the first time they’ve made cuts. The idea is to focus on locations that are doing well and let go of the ones that aren’t.
How Many Applebee’s Are Actually Closing in 2024?
In 2024, Applebee’s will close somewhere between 25 and 35 locations across the U.S. That’s the official number from Dine Brands. But finding out if your local spot is on the chopping block isn’t easy, since the company hasn’t published a full list.
These closings aren’t all in one area. Instead, they’re spread out across the country. Some places have already noticed their Applebee’s go dark for good, while others are waiting to see if they’ll make the cut.
So this is part of a trend, but not a total shutdown. There are still hundreds of Applebee’s running as usual—just not as many as there were a couple of years ago.
Financial Pressures and Changing Habits Are Behind the Closures
If you’ve been following restaurant news, you might not be shocked. The last few years changed how people eat out. Lots of us started cooking more at home during COVID. Even now, some folks aren’t going out as much, or they’re looking for something different.
Applebee’s has always tried to be that family-friendly, budget spot—burgers, wings, and margaritas. But with prices for everything going up, it’s harder for them to offer deals like they used to. Customers are feeling the pinch, too. Some are swapping sit-down dinners for takeout or meal kits.
Put all this together, and you get restaurants that aren’t making enough money to stay open. Applebee’s is dealing with slower sales in some markets, and Dine Brands says they have to make business decisions based on what actually works now.
Kansas City Has Felt the Pain of Store Closures
Sometimes the cuts don’t just come from the big bosses. Franchise owners—basically, folks who own one or more Applebee’s and pay to use the brand name—are under pressure too.
Just look at Kansas City. One local Applebee’s franchisee filed for bankruptcy, and that meant eight restaurants in the area closed with almost no notice. That left only two Applebee’s locations still running around Kansas City.
It’s not just about losing a place to grab dinner. When these restaurants close, people lose jobs, and neighborhoods lose a community hangout. If you’re from that area, it probably still feels a bit weird to drive past those shuttered Applebee’s locations.
New York Applebee’s Face a Tough Year
New York’s Applebee’s scene has been highlighted by company leaders as especially challenging. News of planned closures in the state has made waves, especially in smaller towns where options are already slim.
Some of the issues are pretty specific to New York. High rents and payroll costs can hit restaurant owners hard. And with fewer people flocking to Times Square or heading out to suburban shopping centers, certain spots just aren’t buzzing like they used to.
There’s no official map outlining exactly which Applebee’s will close in New York. But executives have said some locations are likely to go dark before the year’s out. They’re watching sales numbers and deciding where it makes sense to stay—where customers are still coming in, and where they’re not.
Bankruptcy Isn’t a National Trend, But It Matters Locally
It might sound scary to hear about franchise bankruptcies, but it’s not a chain-wide disaster. These situations are local stories—one franchise owner making tough calls about a handful of locations.
That said, when a franchise does go bankrupt, it can have an outsized effect on a whole region. In Kansas City’s case, all but a couple of area Applebee’s were part of the same franchise group. When that group folded, neighborhoods lost their local Applebee’s overnight.
Stories like this can pop up in other cities, too, whenever a franchise group can’t cover rising costs. And in each case, it means more than just an empty restaurant—it’s a bigger wave that hits workers and regulars.
Applebee’s Tries to Adapt: What’s Next for the Brand?
So, where does Applebee’s go from here? Leaders aren’t calling it quits. They say these closures are about tightening up and only keeping stores that make sense. The focus is on running what’s left efficiently—better food, better service, less waste.
You’ll probably notice Applebee’s talking about deals and value a lot—like “2 for $25” meals or happy hour specials. The goal is to remind customers why they liked Applebee’s in the first place. They’re also experimenting with menu changes and working to improve takeout and delivery.
Of course, every adjustment comes with its risks. Sometimes, when a chain shrinks, it can lose some of its presence in people’s minds. But brands also get leaner, more focused, and sometimes stronger after making these tough decisions.
What Does This Mean for Regulars and Local Communities?
If you’re a weekly Applebee’s visitor, this might all sound kind of worrying. But most towns will see their Applebee’s stick around, at least for now.
Still, if your closest location does shut down, you’ll have to make new plans. For some people, that means driving further; for others, it’s a reason to try someplace new.
Restaurant cuts are always about both dollars and people. Workers have to find new jobs. Regular customers lose a meeting spot. The company hopes that the stores sticking around will see better sales, as people who still want Applebee’s meals find their way there.
How Applebee’s Plans to Stay in the Game
Executives have said their main goal is keeping Applebee’s strong, not just open. They want to make each location really work, not just scrape by. That means looking at everything closely—menu, staffing, service, even the hours they’re open.
They’re also keeping an eye on how, and why, customers spend. Maybe people come in more for takeout, or late-night apps with friends. Applebee’s is trying to shift with those habits so it never feels out of step.
You’ll hear their managers talk about “aligning with consumer demand,” which is a business way of saying they want to give regulars what they actually want today, not five years ago.
For anyone curious about the bigger picture or wanting to explore business trends, sites like AnyDay Business are covering these stories as they unfold.
Is the Applebee’s Brand Going Away? Not at All
After all the rumors and headlines, it’s worth repeating: Applebee’s is not disappearing from the American map. The company is making changes, but the brand is staying put—just a bit smaller than before.
You’ll probably still spot those bright red neighborhoods signs and catch the familiar menu, just with fewer locations in play. For die-hard fans, it might be a bummer to see longtime spots close, but it isn’t an end to the whole story.
Most other casual-dining chains—think Chili’s, TGI Fridays, and even Olive Garden—have faced some kind of similar downsizing. It’s part of how the restaurant business moves along, especially when times get tough.
Final Thoughts: Applebee’s Isn’t Gone, Just Changing
So if someone says, “Did you hear Applebee’s is closing?”—the real answer is, not everywhere. Yes, many locations are shutting their doors, often in places where sales are slow or costs are just too high. Sometimes those decisions are made by big company execs, and other times by local franchise owners.
But the core of the business is sticking around. The idea is to do more with less—to run fewer restaurants, but run them better. So if you love Applebee’s, there’s a good chance you’ll find one open for dinner next week. It just might mean driving an extra mile or two.
This is a contraction, not a goodbye. Applebee’s management says they’re still in the game—just playing it a little differently now. As always, the real proof will be what happens in your neighborhood.
So keep an eye on your local Applebee’s and check in before you make dinner plans. Things are changing, but the story isn’t over yet.
