General Discussion

Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(138,105 posts) Sun Jun 7, 2026, 01:13 PM Yesterday

Chain restaurants are closing hundreds of locations across the US in 2026. See the list.

Some fast-food and fast-casual chains across the US are shrinking their footprints, with several planning to scale back locations in 2026.

Restaurant chains, including Wendy's, Papa John's, Pizza Hut, and Red Lobster, have announced plans to close locations in 2026.

The planned closures come amid a challenging few years for restaurant chains, driven by factors such as inflation, rising labor costs, and changing customer preferences. Some brands have leaned on value meals and innovations in an attempt to bring more customers in the door.

"What's really worked within quick service hasn't been value, as much," TD Cowen analyst Andrew Charles previously told Business Insider. "Value is important, but you look at when McDonald's, Burger King, etc, have done well — it's really when they have great menu innovation or great marketing that they really see customers respond."

https://finance.yahoo.com/economy/articles/chain-restaurants-closing-hundreds-locations-135201078.html

Most of them are no longer the value they once were. If I don't have time to cook, I can get better choices at the deli section of my local grocery store.

6 replies

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Chain restaurants are closing hundreds of locations across the US in 2026. See the list. (Original Post) Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Yesterday OP

I wonder if those immigration raids are affecting their labor costs ? kimbutgar Yesterday #1

Probably affecting their customer base as well. yardwork Yesterday #2

The Pizza Hut in my small town in KS closed just a month or so back. wcmagumba Yesterday #3

They aren't that cheap, feel like they've gotten slower EdmondDantes_ Yesterday #4

It's too expensive to eat out. Plus chains are as or more expensive than better quality local businesses. Melon Yesterday #5

We have very few chain restaurants in my town, but a lot of locally owned restaurants. All sorts of ethnic Raftergirl Yesterday #6

kimbutgar

(27,649 posts)

1. I wonder if those immigration raids are affecting their labor costs ?

Reply to Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin (Original post)

Sun Jun 7, 2026, 02:03 PM

Yesterday

yardwork

(69,806 posts)

2. Probably affecting their customer base as well.

Reply to kimbutgar (Reply #1)

Sun Jun 7, 2026, 02:10 PM

Yesterday

I've noticed that young male immigrants often visit fast food places for lunch when they're working a job.

wcmagumba

(6,741 posts)

3. The Pizza Hut in my small town in KS closed just a month or so back.

Reply to Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin (Original post)

Sun Jun 7, 2026, 02:11 PM

Yesterday

One of the four small restaurants in town...we do have a grocery store with a deli that usually only has fried chicken or chicken strips...

EdmondDantes_

(2,212 posts)

4. They aren't that cheap, feel like they've gotten slower

Reply to Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin (Original post)

Sun Jun 7, 2026, 02:14 PM

Yesterday

And as you noted, there's better competition at similar prices.

Melon

(1,807 posts)

5. It's too expensive to eat out. Plus chains are as or more expensive than better quality local businesses.

Reply to Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin (Original post)

Sun Jun 7, 2026, 02:31 PM

Yesterday

Raftergirl

(1,880 posts)

6. We have very few chain restaurants in my town, but a lot of locally owned restaurants. All sorts of ethnic

Reply to Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin (Original post)

Sun Jun 7, 2026, 02:58 PM

Yesterday

restaurants, pubs, casual, and high end, so a lot of different price points. Two more are opening up soon. We went last night to one of the more expensive restaurants for dinner. We went early (5:30) because we were going to the theatre after. It was about 1/2 full. By the time we left at 7pm it was full, as was the patio.

Our locally owned restaurants and other business do exceptionally well. We don’t have many chain stores here, either.

A new ice cream shop opened last fall. We went one night a few weeks ago, an hour before they close, on a Tuesday night and it was chilly out. The customers kept coming and coming. We were very surprised. It’s all home made ice cream and not cheap ($10 for two scoop cone.) They open at 3pm, right as the middle school up the street lets out and it’s always packed when I drive buy. I assume they will be expanding their hours a bit, on both ends, as summer is almost here. There are also other ice cream places that are cheaper-especially if you like soft ice cream. They do well too. Several are at open only in summer at burger stands.

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