Dine Brands Global closed two Applebee’s locations in Evansville, Indiana, on East Morgan Avenue and Pearl Drive during the last week of February 2026.
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| Credit: Applebee’s |
The company, which owns the casual dining chain, posted farewell signs at both sites thanking customers for 30 years of patronage and directing them to other nearby restaurants.
A franchised Applebee’s in Columbia, Missouri, also shut down in the same period. But Applebee’s Evansville Indiana closing made people talk about the restaurant on social media.
Another location at 268 Saratoga Road in Glenville, New York, will permanently close on April 12, 2026, after operating for 10 years.
Stephanie Griffin, vice president of marketing for the local Applebee’s operator, stated:
“We greatly appreciate our Glenville neighbors’ patronage for the past 10 years and look forward to continuing to serve them at our 5 other restaurant locations in the Albany area.”
These closures align with Dine Brands Global’s strategy to eliminate underperforming outlets within its network of approximately 1,500 Applebee’s restaurants worldwide.
The company filed its annual report with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in March 2025, noting challenges for franchisees such as rising food costs, fuel expenses, and utility bills.
Applebee’s operates as a mature national system with routine adjustments to its footprint.
John Peyton, president of Applebee’s, said in a statement:
“Restaurant closures are a normal part of running a mature national system, but they don’t define our trajectory. This year, we’re planning on opening more restaurants than we have in prior years. Our strategy is working, our teams are executing, and we’re firmly focused on expanding our footprint and serving more guests across the country.”
Dine Brands anticipates a net reduction of between five and 15 domestic Applebee’s units for 2026.
The company plans to offset some losses through the development of dual-branded Applebee’s and IHOP restaurants, with projections for up to 80 such openings during the year.
