Applebee’s Shuts Down Locations Across Three States, Some Open for Over 30 Years

“Thank you for being our neighbor for the last 30 years,” read a sign posted on the door of one shuttered location. As of February 2026, three locations across Indiana and Missouri have already closed, with a fourth confirmed closure in Glenville, New York, scheduled for April. The chain, founded in Georgia in 1980, still operates between 1,500 and 1,600 locations worldwide, according to parent company Dine Brands.

Two Indiana Locations Close the Same Day After Decades of Service

On February 19, two Applebee’s restaurants in Evansville, Indiana, closed simultaneously, one on East Morgan Avenue, the other on Pearl Drive. Both had served the southwestern Indiana community for several decades. Cleanup crews were spotted removing signage the same day, and neither location appeared on Applebee’s website afterward, according to the Evansville Courier & Press.

Missouri Location Wraps Up More Than 30 Years Near Stadium Boulevard

One day earlier, on February 18, an Applebee’s near Stadium Boulevard in Columbia, Missouri, also closed. The location had operated for over 30 years under franchisee Apple Central LLC. Scott Fischer, the company’s director of marketing, told the Columbia Missourian the company was grateful for the community’s support and directed customers to its remaining Columbia location on East Broadway.

New York Closure Is Scheduled, Employees Given Options Nearby

The Glenville, New York, location on Saratoga Road in the Capital District is set to close on April 12. Franchisee T.L. Cannon confirmed the restaurant had operated for 10 years. All employees were offered positions at five other Cannon-run Applebee’s locations in the Albany area, according to WTEN-TV. Stephanie Griffin, vice president of marketing for T.L. Cannon, said the company looks forward to continuing to serve area customers.

Rising Costs Were a Key Factor, Franchisees Say

The Glenville franchisee cited rising operating costs as a direct reason for the closure, pointing to increases in food, fuel, and utility expenses. The National Restaurant Association estimated that restaurant operating costs climbed 35% between 2020 and 2025, putting significant pressure on franchise operators across the country.

Dine Brands Had Already Flagged Franchisee Struggles in SEC Filing

Before the closures made headlines, Dine Brands had disclosed the pressures in its annual report filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in March 2025. The report noted that franchisees had recently been struggling with mounting operational costs, per the Evansville Courier & Press.

Applebee’s President Calls the Closures Part of Normal Operations

When USA TODAY requested a list of closing locations, Dine Brands declined and issued a statement instead. Applebee’s President John Peyton said closures “are a normal part of running a mature national system, but they don’t define our trajectory.” Peyton added that the company plans to open more restaurants in 2026 than in prior years, describing the brand as being at an “inflection point.”

The Chain Has Navigated Closures Before and Bounced Back

Applebee’s has weathered closures before. In 2017, Applebee’s shut roughly 120 locations after sales fell 7%, according to Fortune. The chainsaw sales recover after introducing signature promotions, including the popular “Dollarita.” By the end of 2025, Dine Brands reported 1,567 total Applebee’s locations globally, reflecting 64 closures and 17 openings that year alone.

Dine Brands Pushes Forward with Dual-Branded Applebee’s and IHOP Locations

Dine Brands, which also owns IHOP and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, has been expanding a dual-branded model combining Applebee’s and IHOP under one roof. As of early 2026, 32 dual-brand locations had opened in the U.S., with nine more under construction. The company reported these locations generate roughly 1.5 to 2.5 times more revenue than single-brand restaurants, and expects to reach nearly 80 domestic dual-brand locations by the end of 2026.

Despite the Closures, Dine Brands Points to Revenue Gains and Momentum

Dine Brands reported $879.3 million in total revenue in 2025, up 8.2% from 2024. Applebee’s comparable sales rose 1.3%, reversing a negative 4.2% from the prior year. On its fourth-quarter earnings call, Dine Brands credited operational improvements, stronger marketing, and menu innovation for the turnaround. For the communities losing a longtime neighbor, the closures are personal, but for Dine Brands, the focus is firmly on what comes next.