In 2025, many restaurant food chains closed locations around the country due to a difficult year in the restaurant industry, as many customers have started to steer away from restaurants because of inflation. 

In previous years, many sit down restaurants closed due to the rise in popularity of fast food chains. Many of those chain restaurants closed hundreds of their locations. 

According to Black Box Intelligence Data, “U.S. restaurant traffic fell every month this year except for July.” 

A major chain, Starbucks, closed 500 stores around the United States and put together a plan to better help their other stores throughout the country. Along with location closures, around 1000 employees got laid off and stock for Starbucks dropped a drastic 8% last year. 

Another fast food chain that closed stores is Wendy’s. They announced early on in 2025 that they came up with a plan to close “mid-single-digit percentage,” which means around 240-360 store closures. Their overall goal was to improve the overall health of the brand and the overall performance of their stores. 

The closings began in late 2025 and will be continuing throughout 2026. They hope to provide upgrades for these locations in order to still be in good competition with competing stores like McDonalds and Burger King. 

Lastly, Outback Steakhouse, an American chain based upon Australian themed dining, announced a closing of over 20 stores nationwide. The main owner of Outback Steakhouse, is called Bloomin’ Brands Inc, and also owns Carrabba’s Italian Grill, BonefishGrill and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar. They named the closing “a comprehensive turnaround strategy,” with hopes of renewing and renovating other locations. Over the next four years, they plan to not renew 22 of their restaurants as well. 

Overall, 2025 came with financial battles that affected more restaurants than most would think. As time goes on and inflation builds, there are more and more chances of restaurants closing.