If Applebee’s has ever been your go-to spot for casual dining, this may come as a sad surprise. One of its well-loved Florida locations has just shut down for good, and more closures are on the way. But the company says new and exciting updates are coming to other restaurants very soon.
Let’s talk about what’s happening, what’s closing, and what changes you can expect.
Applebee’s closes popular Florida restaurant
Applebee’s recently closed its location in Pinellas Park, Florida. This location had been open for nine years and held many memories for locals. The announcement was made on Facebook, and people immediately began sharing their sadness and nostalgia in the comments.
One person said, “So many memories and friendships made over the years.” Another added, “Sad! I was just there last week!”
This restaurant meant a lot to its regulars, and its closing hit home for many.
More closures are on the way
Sadly, this isn’t the only Applebee’s closing. The company has shared that it expects to close between 20 and 35 locations across the U.S. by the end of 2025. These decisions are part of a larger plan to refresh and refocus the brand.
It’s a tough moment for fans of Applebee’s, but the company says it’s not all bad news.
A new look and a fresh partnership
Applebee’s is moving ahead with what it calls the “Lookin’ Good” program. This is a big remodeling project aimed at updating and improving the dining experience at many locations.
Out of the 47 restaurants Applebee’s recently bought, 30 will be remodeled, and 5 will be turned into dual-branded restaurants that combine Applebee’s and IHOP under one roof.
Why IHOP? Because both restaurants are owned by Dine Brands, the company believes that putting them together will boost business.
Double the food, double the sales?
So far, the dual-branded locations seem to be working. In Texas, a new Applebee’s restaurant made three times the usual sales in its first week.
That success is encouraging enough for Dine Brands to plan 12 to 14 more dual-branded restaurants across the U.S. in 2025.
The CEO of Dine Brands, John Peyton, said that many franchisees are already jumping on board, with more than half of the company’s locations expected to go through remodeling or upgrading.
Read this later: Good news for Target – These are the states and cities where it will open dozens of stores by 2025 with a focus on…
Neither Costco nor Walmart – This is the cheapest U.S. supermarket chain in 2025
Here is what it means for you
But if your local Applebee’s is on the closing list, you might want to swing by one last time for old times’ sake.
As the company tries to move forward with fresh ideas, one thing’s for sure: Applebee’s is changing, and for many longtime customers, it’s the end of an era—but maybe also the start of something new.
