Latest news with #restaurantclosure
Entrepreneur
an hour ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Wahlburgers Closing More Than Half of Its Locations
The popular burger chain, founded by Mark Wahlberg and his brothers Donnie and Paul, will no longer be found in Midwest grocery giant Hy-Vee stores. Wahlburgers, the burger chain founded by chef Paul Wahlberg and his celebrity brothers Mark and Donnie, announced the closure of 79 locations. USA Today reports that the shuttered restaurants were all located within Midwestern grocery giant Hy-Vee stores. The partnership between Wahlburgers and Hy-Vee played a large part in the brand's expansion, but ultimately led to overextension, say industry experts. Hy-Vee announced plans to revert these in-store eateries to its own Market Grille brand. Related: How Wahlburgers Finds Success Through Feedback This move leaves the burger chain with just over 40 remaining locations nationwide. Restaurant Business Online spoke with Wahlburgers CEO Randy Sharpe, who explained that these locations accounted for a "small portion of sales" and that the chain wants to focus more on its actual restaurants rather than what amounted to kiosks. "We are growing restaurants," Sharpe said. "We're not going to be in the grocery business." Sharpe told the outlet that the chain plans to open 15 new locations this year. Related: Mark Wahlberg Says He's Shifted His Viral Morning Routine to Work Around His Three Teenagers: 'I'm Up and Down the Stairs at Least Three Times' Wahlbergs opened its first location outside of Boston in 2011. It began rapidly expanding thanks to franchising, and per RDO, went from 30 locations in 2019 to 109 in 2023. The rise of the restaurant chain was captured on the reality TV show, Wahlburgers, that ran from 2014 to 2019. In 2020, Mark Wahlberg discussed the rise of Wahlburgers and how it fit into his vision of success during an interview with Entrepreneur magazine, which you can read here. Join top CEOs, founders, and operators at the Level Up conference to unlock strategies for scaling your business, boosting revenue, and building sustainable success.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Oakland pub closes after 8 years of business
(KRON) – An eatery in Oakland's Jack London District will be serving its last meal after eight years of business. Seawolf Public House is set to close its doors for good on Saturday, July 19. The pub posted the closure news on its social media and website last month. 'As hard as it is, it's time to say goodbye,' said Seawolf Public House. 'For many of us, Seawolf has been more than just a place to eat and drink — it's been a home for memories, friendships, and community.' Noe Valley restaurant closes after 4 years in SF neighborhood The restaurant, which is in a historic Victorian building, showed appreciation to its patrons and asked for continued support. 'Come by, raise a glass, and let's make the most of our final time together!' said the Seawolf. Per Seawolf's website, the bar has 16 tapped beers, a full bar, creative cocktails, and great food that is made with locally sourced and sustainable ingredients. Seawolf's address is 350 4th Street in the Jack London District. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
The Sun
15-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Full list of 72 Côte Brasserie restaurants at risk of closure as chain ‘up for sale' – is one getting the chop near you?
POPULAR French restaurant chain Côte Brasserie is on the brink – with all 72 of its UK sites at risk of closure as the company is officially put up for sale. The upmarket bistro chain, loved for its croque monsieurs and steak frites, has already shut several sites. 2 2 While around 60 branches are said to be profitable, insiders warn that underperforming locations could be axed if no buyer is found. Private equity firm Partners Group, which rescued Côte from collapse in 2020, has now called in Interpath Advisory to find a buyer – sparking fears of a major shake-up across the chain. Several restaurants have already bitten the dust, including Gloucester Quays, which closed earlier this year, and Hampstead, which shut after 14 years. The Harrogate branch also closed in April, with hopes of relocating elsewhere in the town. Sources say rising costs, staff shortages, and soaring energy bills have put intense pressure on the business, leaving every branch under review as the sale process unfolds. Now diners across the country are bracing for bad news – and wondering if their go-to Côte is next on the chopping block. Full list of Côte Brasserie locations that have closed: Gloucester Quays Hampstead (London) Harrogate Manchester (St Mary's Street, Deansgate) Trinity Leeds Haywards Heath Full list of Côte Brasserie locations currently operational, but at risk: Barbican Covent Garden Hay's Galleria Kensington Marylebone Sloane Square Soho St Christopher's Place St Katharine Docks St Martin's Lane St Paul's Barnes Blackheath Chislehurst Chiswick Ealing Kingston Muswell Hill Richmond Royal Festival Hall Teddington Wimbledon Basingstoke Bluewater Brighton Canterbury Chichester Esher Farnham Guildford Hanley on Thames Horsham Lewes Marlow Newbury Oxford Reading Reigate Tunbridge Wells Winchester Windsor Woking Wokingham Bath Bournemouth Bristol - Clifton Village Bristol - Quaker Friars Cheltenham Cirencester Dorchester Exeter Salisbury West Bridgford Bishop's Stortford Bury St Edmunds Cambridge Chelmsford Norwich Peterborough St Albans Welwyn Garden City Cardiff Bay Cardiff Central Chester Liverpool Newcastle York Edinburgh Leamington Spa Shrewsbury Solihull Worcester What happens next? All 72 Côte Brasserie branches are on the chopping block as the chain goes up for sale – but that doesn't mean they'll all shut. While some fan-favourite spots could be spared, every single restaurant is under review, and it all comes down to the buyer, the books, and the bottom line. Huge restaurant chain 'up for sale' putting 70 sites at risk of closure Only the most profitable sites are likely to survive, so diners are being warned: no location is safe just yet. Chair of UK Hospitality, Kate Nicholls, said: "If we carry on with these trends and the situation doesn't improve - and clearly Rachel Reeves 's statements are giving a signal to consumers that it is not going to get better any time soon - then I would see this accelerating. "Unless there is a change of tack by the government, we are looking at 150,000-200,000 fewer workers in hospitality during the first full year of [employer national insurance contribution] changes." What is happening to the hospitality industry? By Emily Mee, Consumer reporter RESTAURANTS and pubs have faced a series of blows in recent years. The pandemic had already hit businesses hard as hospitality venues were forced to close during lockdowns. Then they were dealt another blow when the cost of living crisis ramped up, causing customers to spend less on eating out. At the same time they've been dealing with higher costs of things like energy, rents and supplies. More recently they've also been hit by the Government's hike in National Insurance costs for employers. At the same time, the national minimum wage increased - making it more expensive to hire employees. It's led to numerous chains collapsing or having to close sites in recent years. TGI Fridays collapsed into administration last year, although has since launched a huge comeback after being forced to close 35 restaurants. Britain's largest fish and chip chain, Deep Blue Restaurants, has also sold off five of its popular sites. The brand owns popular chain Harry Ramsden's. Plus, dim sum chain Ping Pong has closed all of its locations across the country after reporting it had faced "significant disruption" due to the pandemic.
Daily Mail
12-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Major restaurant chain shuts with just seven hours notice leaving employees out of work and location 'abandoned'
Haunting images show the 'abandoned' location of once popular local restaurant after it closed its once bustling location in St Petersburg, Florida, over the weekend. The beloved casual dining chain Applebee's now displays a sign on the front door of the building thanking locals for their 'many years of business' and encourages patrons to visit another local Applebee's. Outraged locals revealed on Facebook that the restaurant's employees were only given seven hours notice that they were out of a job. On Reddit, one former employee wrote: 'The lease for the building was ending and corporate decided the location didn't make enough money to stay open. 'The workers got a days notice that they were all losing their jobs.' Pictures of the closed restaurant show chairs piled on to bare tables, the sign stripped from the building's exterior, and an empty parking lot. Applebee's also closed its University Parkway location in Florida in May. Dine Brands Global, the owner of Applebee's, reported a 2.2 per cent sales decline during its first earnings call of the year. Despite this the corporation said Applebee's had raked in $1billion in the first three months of 2025. In an effort to reinvigorate customers, Applebee's has leaned into more deals and better customer rewards. During the company's March earnings call, John Peyton, the company's CEO, said: 'We are focused on elevating guests' experience, enhancing the menu by focusing on our core products, and better communicating offers through dynamic marketing.' The once dominant Applebee's has fallen out of favor with consumers, and has been forced to close around 300 locations between 2016 and 2023. The restaurant chain then went on to shutter up to up to 35 restaurants in 2024. The brand has forecast it will need to close a further 20 to 35 locations this year, The Sun reported. In an effort to boost two of its legacy brands and save on costs, Dine Brands has also consolidated a number of its IHOP and Applebee's locations. Peyton previously said: 'The dual brand concept is now a core pillar of our development strategy, and we're optimistic about the long-term upside potential. 'On average, we've seen these locations achieve 1.5 to 2 times the revenue compared to a single brand restaurant.' The company said it is planning to open a further 12 to 14 dual brand locations in 2025. Dine is also undertaking a major remodeling program to refresh the brand's tired image. The 'Lookin' Good' scheme is revamping 30 Applebee's locations that Dine took over last November, Restaurant Dive reported.
Daily Mail
11-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Major chain shuts with seven hours notice leaving location 'abandoned'
By Haunting images show the 'abandoned' location of a once popular local restaurant. The beloved casual dining chain Applebee's closed its once bustling location in St. Petersburg, Florida, over the weekend. A sign on the front door of the building thanks locals for their 'many years of business' and encourages patrons to visit another local Applebee's. Outraged locals revealed on Facebook that the restaurant's employees were only given seven hours notice that they were out of a job. 'The lease for the building was ending and corporate decided the location didn't make enough money to stay open,' one former employee wrote on Reddit. 'The workers got a days notice that they were all losing their jobs.' Pictures of the closed restaurant showed chairs piled on to bare tables, the sign stripped from the building's exterior and an empty parking lot. Applebee's also closed its University Parkway location in Florida in May . Dine Brands Global, the owner of Applebee's, reported a 2.2 percent sales decline during its first earnings call of the year. 'We are focused on elevating guests' experience, enhancing the menu by focusing on our core products, and better communicating offers through dynamic marketing,' John Peyton (pictured), the company's CEO, said during the company's March earnings call. Once dominant Applebee's has fallen out of favor with consumers, and has been forced to close around 300 locations between 2016 and 2023 . The restaurant chain went on to shutter up to up to 35 restaurants closed in 2024 . The brand has forecast it will need to close a further 20 to 35 locations this year, The Sun reported. In an effort to boost two of its legacy brands and save on costs, Dine Brands has also consolidated a number of its IHOP and Applebee's locations. 'The dual brand concept is now a core pillar of our development strategy, and we're optimistic about the long-term upside potential,' Peyton said previously. 'On average, we've seen these locations achieve 1.5 to 2 times the revenue compared to a single brand restaurant.' The company said it is planning to open a further 12 to 14 dual brand location in 2025. Dine is also undertaking a major remodeling program to refresh the brand's tired image. The 'Lookin' Good' scheme is revamping 30 Applebee's locations that Dine took over last November, Restaurant Dive reported.
