While it’s unclear whether Northeast Ohio’s 10 Applebee’s and five IHOP locations will be affected, parent company DineEquity Inc. has said in a release that they’re planning to shut down 105 to 135 Applebee’s locations and 20 to 25 IHOPs, citing declining sales.
“We believe 2017 will be a transitional year for Applebee’s and we are making the necessary investments for overall long-term brand health and expect to see improvement over the next year,” DineEquity Chairman and Interim CEO, Richard J. Dahl, said in the release.
As for IHOP, which “remains on solid ground,” the company will introduce online ordering and potentially delivery in the future.
DineEquity will decide which stores to close based on profitability, operational results and quality standards.
This article appears in Aug 9-15, 2017.
Applebees had decent food maybe 15 years ago…but they don’t make anything fresh or worthwhile anymore unless you enjoy giving it all up on the toilet within an hour of eating there. That’s why I’ve refused to eat there for years…no amount of branding can make up for terrible food!
When a business announces a “transitional year” — countless employees need to gear up for bad news.
Good riddance. Cleveland’s independent restaurants are SO much better!