Two Denny's locations in Michigan, one in Grand Rapids at 3127 Plainfield Ave. and another in Kalamazoo, have shuttered their doors. Both restaurants are listed as permanently closed on Google, and were removed from the chain's website. The Grand Rapids location, which opened in 1981, faced operational issues, including broken heating for months prior to closure.

The closures come after the franchise owner, Denn-Ohio, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2023. At that time, Denn-Ohio operated ten locations in the Midwest. These recent closures add to a trend of approximately 150 Denny's closures over the past two years. The Kalamazoo location was sold in January for $1.6 million.

This follows Denny's recent acquisition by TriArtisan Capital Advisors, Treville Capital Group, and Yadav Enterprises for $620 million. With the chain now down to ten restaurants in Michigan, the closures raise questions about the brand's long-term strategy and financial health. The company has not yet commented on the closures.

The restaurant industry continues to face challenges, with rising costs and changing consumer preferences. Denny's will likely need to re-evaluate its business model to remain competitive. Investors will be watching for further developments regarding the chain's restructuring efforts and future expansion plans.