These restaurant chains closed locations in 2025

Industry Overview - The restaurant industry faced significant challenges in 2025, leading many chains to close underperforming locations as part of their turnaround strategies [1][2] - Consumer spending on dining out decreased due to inflation, with many opting to eat at home or seek deals when dining out [2] - Monthly traffic to restaurants open for at least a year declined consistently throughout 2025, with the exception of July [2] Company-Specific Actions - Starbucks: Announced a $1 billion restructuring plan, including the closure of approximately 500 North American locations, even affecting its upscale Reserve Roastery in Seattle [4][5] - Wendy's: Initiated a strategic review and plans to close a "mid-single digit percentage" of its U.S. restaurants, which could amount to hundreds of locations, as part of its "Project Fresh" turnaround plan [5][6] - Denny's: Planned to close between 70 and 90 restaurants in 2025 due to declining sales as customers shifted to cheaper fast-food options [8] - Jack in the Box: Announced the closure of 150 to 200 restaurants as part of its "Jack on Track" strategy, with 86 already closed by the end of fiscal 2025 [10] - Bahama Breeze: Darden Restaurants closed 15 locations, about one-third of its footprint, and is exploring strategic alternatives for the brand [11][12] - Papa John's: Closed 173 restaurants globally in the first three quarters of 2025, with 62 of those in the U.S., while still operating nearly 6,000 restaurants [15] - Noodles & Co.: Closed 29 company-owned restaurants in 2025, with plans to close an additional 12 to 17 by the end of 2026 to improve financial performance [16][17] - Outback Steakhouse: Bloomin' Brands closed 21 locations and identified nearly two dozen more that will not renew leases over the next four years, alongside a $75 million turnaround plan [18][19]