Applebee’s parent company Dine Brands Global is shutting down select U.S. locations in Indiana, Missouri, and New York as part of a strategic restructuring plan. Four confirmed closures include Evansville, Indiana (East Morgan Avenue and Pearl Drive), Glenville, New York (Saratoga Road), and Columbia, Missouri (Stadium Blvd/I-70). Despite the closures, the chain will open 80 dual-branded Applebee’s and IHOP restaurants nationwide by 2026. Last year, Dine Brands projected closing 20-35 locations to streamline operations.

Rising operational costs—food, labor, and utilities surged 35% since 2019—are driving the closures. Franchise owners cite economic instability, with one Glenville, New York, location closing due to “unsustainable expenses.” Workers at shuttered sites will be reassigned to other locations, preserving jobs. The closures follow Bahama Breeze’s recent shutdown, as Darden Restaurants converts 14 sites to other brands amid industry-wide challenges.

Applebee’s operates 1,500 global locations, but U.S. closures reflect broader sector struggles. Rent, supplies, and credit card fees have eroded profits, forcing chains to pivot. Dine Brands’ dual-brand strategy aims to boost efficiency, but smaller operators face mounting pressure.

The closures underscore a critical trend in the restaurant industry: adapting to inflationary costs while maintaining customer loyalty. For Applebee’s, the move balances short-term losses with long-term growth through IHOP partnerships. This restructuring highlights the sector’s vulnerability to economic shifts and operational inefficiencies.