Applebee’s will be permanently closing select locations across the United States as part of a corporate restructuring plan.
At least four locations will be closing across New York, Missouri and Indiana, as part of a move to close underperforming restaurants. However, Applebee’s parent company, Dine Brands Global, plans to combat the closures by opening 80 dual-branded Applebee’s and IHOP restaurants throughout 2026.
Last year, the company projected closing 20 to 35 locations as part of this plan.
The following Applebee’s locations are confirmed to be closing or have closed:
- Evansville, Indiana — East Morgan Avenue
- Evansville, Indiana — Pearl Drive
- Glenville, New York — 268 Saratoga Road
- Columbia, Missouri — West Stadium Blvd/I-70 Drive SW
Most recently, two Applebee’s locations in Evansville, Indiana — on East Morgan Avenue and Pearl Drive — have shut their stores after operating for almost 30 years, as workers were seen removing signage and a note was placed on the door thanking customers for their loyalty, according to the Evansville Courier & Press.
Another restaurant located at 268 Saratoga Road in Glenville, New York, also announced that it would be permanently closing on April 12, 2026, citing rising food, utility and labor costs in addition to other economic challenges, which made operating the location unstable.
The local franchise owner of the restaurant told CNY News that the workers would be able to transfer to different locations to keep their jobs.
Other Applebee’s closures were reported in Columbia, Missouri, last week after running for 30 years. In 2024, eight locations in Kansas City were closed after the franchise filed for bankruptcy.
Despite the recent closures, Applebee’s still operates around 1,500 locations across the globe.
Scores of longstanding and beloved restaurants across the U.S have closed this past year, and more may follow, as the skyrocketing cost of necessities takes a toll on the industry.
Over the past five years, food and labor costs for the average restaurant have each risen 35 percent, according to the National Restaurant Association. Meanwhile, the price tag on other essentials like rent, supplies, and credit card processing fees also continues to grow — meaning smaller profit margins for already-struggling restaurants.
Earlier this month, Bahama Breeze, the Caribbean-themed dining chain, announced it was shutting down after almost three decades in business.
In the announcement, Darden Restaurants — which operates restaurant locations including Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, and Ruth’s Chris — said it was closing 14 of its tropical-themed Bahama Breeze locations and converting another 14 to different brands.
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