Applebee's delivers a major cold shower in the U.S.: it's a huge shock

In the United States' gastronomic landscape, restaurant chains are usually synonymous with stability and tradition. However, this perception is changing rapidly. Recently, Applebee’s has taken an unexpected turn that has surprised both employees and customers.

The restaurant chain Applebee’s has abruptly closed one of its most popular locations in St Petersburg, Florida, leaving the premises completely abandoned. What stands out is the speed with which the closure was carried out: employees received notice only seven hours before the store closed its doors. Customers only found a sign in the window thanking them for their loyalty and directing them to other nearby branches, also located in St Petersburg and in Largo.

Applebee's visible abandonment in Florida

Images circulating on social media show an empty location, with chairs stacked on tables and the front sign partially knocked down. This scene shows the abrupt closure and has caused shock in the local community. In addition, this is not an isolated case: another Applebee’s location on Park Blvd, also in Florida, is abandoned, with no official explanation given for the closure.

Applebee’s has had to close more than 150 restaurants in recent years and is currently in the process of remodeling another 30 to avoid more closures in the coming years. By 2025, the company expects that between 20 and 35 additional closures could be added. Between 2021 and 2024, the number of Applebee’s locations went from 1,578 to 1,501, showing a significant decrease, reveals The US Sun.

Strategies to reverse the crisis

Dine Brands, Applebee’s parent company, has launched an ambitious plan called “Lookin' Good” to revitalize its restaurants. This initiative, which started with 30 of the 47 establishments recently acquired, aims to improve the customer experience and profitability. In addition, Dine is experimenting with an innovative concept: combining Applebee’s with IHOP in dual locations, offering the best of both brands under one roof.

CEO John Peyton has pointed out that six of the main franchisees, who represent 57% of the Applebee’s system, have accelerated the remodeling of their locations before the end of 2025. Peyton highlights that the dual locations have had remarkable success, with revenues 1.5 to 2 times higher than those of a single brand. In Texas, a combination of Applebee’s and IHOP managed to triple sales in its first week compared to a standalone IHOP.

Meanwhile, CFO Vance Chang has indicated that the company will keep promoting this dual model. By 2025, Dine plans to open between 12 and 14 combined locations, in addition to continuing the development of standalone Applebee’s restaurants in the United States. This effort is key to counteracting the wave of closures affecting the sector, at a time when other chains like Denny’s, Red Lobster, and TGI Friday’s are also facing difficulties.