Michigan May Have to Say Goodbye to a Popular Restaurant Chain

Are we about to lose another chain of restaurants?

I have always enjoyed Applebee's. It's been a great place. The food is always good, good prices, a very friendly place, and the drinks are great! But the restaurant business has had it tough lately and the corporate owners have decided to shut down some locations around the country.

MSN.com reports that Dine Brands Global, operators of Applebee's and IHop, announced they plan to close up to 35 Applebee's locations this year.

In the greater Grand Rapids area there are six Applebee's along with a location in Holland, Grand Haven and Muskegon.

APPLEBEE'S ON EAST BELTLINE

One has to wonder, are any or all on the national chopping block?

We did lose an Applebee's last year when the Wyoming Applebee's on 28th Street, SW, was closed. So who is next?

One of our Townsquare Massachusetts radio stations, Live 95.9, said that since 2017 over 100 hundred Applebee's locations have shut down. While the company is eliminating Applebee's in struggling areas, it recently opened over 40 new IHOP locations.

So it doesn't appear that Dine Brands Global is in trouble. Restaurants that are underperforming are being shuttered.

At this point Dine Brands Global hasn't announced the specific locations they plan to close so it seems as if we are left hanging for the moment. I think we are all hoping that our stores remain safe, but it is a tough business climate so anything is possible. Stay tuned!

On a good note, MSN.com reported that Dine Brands Global did say that if your Applebee's stays open, you should consider joining the restaurant's Club Applebee's for additional discounts. It's cool because you get a free appetizer, deals on your next meal, and a birthday treat. What's wrong with that?