Beloved dining chain and Applebee’s rival set to close restaurant in days following string of shutdowns
APPLEBEE’s rival O’Charley’s continues to close branches, leaving fans disappointed and heartbroken.
The popular eatery has confirmed the closure of its restaurant in Strongsville, Ohio.
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It follows a string of 18 closures in the last month, including in Dayton and Pearl, Mississippi.
These closures came as the chain pushed through its growth plan.
No reason was given for the recent closure, but the Strongsville restaurant is scheduled to close on Monday.
Employee Anne DeVor posted a status on Facebook confirming the popular eatery’s last day.
She wrote, “As of Monday, September 18th, the Strongsville, Ohio O’Charley location will be permanently closing its doors.”
“We would like to celebrate with you one last time before we leave!”
“As you come and help us celebrate our final week in business, please understand that we are short-staffed. So please be patient and kind to those of us who remain until the doors are permanently closed.”
“Many thanks to the OC gang and all of our regulars, guests, colleagues and managers for making it an unforgettable experience for everyone!”
The post included a photo of a notice to be displayed at the site.
It reads: “We are sorry that we are permanently closed.”
“O’Charley’s thanks you for your patronage and we hope to see you soon!”
The note adds that all gift cards are accepted at other O’Charley’s locations.
Regular customers expressed their disappointment with one comment: “I’m so sad. We were there two weekends ago.”
“When my father-in-law comes to town, this is our go-to place.”
DeVor noted in the comments that it was her “favorite job” and that she “really loved it” there.
She added that she wasn’t sure what her next steps were, but was “blessed to be financially stable enough to not worry too much.”
Last month, CEO Craig Barber told Restaurant Business that growth often requires closures.
“We compared it a little bit to pruning the vines at a winery,” Barber said of the previous 18 closures.
“They do that every year. You get a better, higher quality grape, you get more growth and you have to do that for the overall health of the vineyard,” he added.
From 2017 to 2022, O’Charley’s sales fell 34 percent, according to Restaurant Business.
While there was an increase in January this year, sales were again low from February to April.
O’Charley’s has been a popular restaurant since 1971 with over 100 locations.
The restaurant recently celebrated its 50th anniversary and marked the milestone with a limited-time special where kids could eat for free.
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