Restaurant Chain Announces Abrupt Closure Of 15 Locations
I can just smell the pizza as I write this. It seems one popular pizza chain is the latest casualty of what is seemingly a 2024 curse, with retail chains and restaurants having to close locations all across the country.
In just a short period of time, retailers like Macy's and rue21 have downsized big time or closed all of their stores altogether.
The restaurant business is no different, with some of the most popular chains out there being forced to close or adapt to the changing times.
Red Lobster recently announced they were closing stores across the nation, but thankfully this won't impact us in Duluth. Outback Steakhouse also announced closures nationwide.
Now, Pizza Hut may be the victim of a similar fate. The chain shared the news on their website, confirming they would be closing stores across the U.S., writing:
We’ve made the difficult decision, together with certain franchisees, to close a limited number of locations in the U.S.
The chain has already closed about 15 stores across the midwest and now, various news reports say more closures could be on the horizon, also likely in the midwest.
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These reports say 120 more locations could be at risk of closing, on top of the ones that have already closed because of an ongoing legal battle.
A franchisee, EYM Group, owns about 150 locations across the midwest, including in Wisconsin. Reports say the franchisee is in a legal battle with the chain and has defaulted on 'millions of dollars' in payments that were owed to the chain by the end of last month.
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With all that being said, it is possible the franchisee closes more of its locations and that means Wisconsin stores could be at risk. EYM Group does not own any stores in Minnesota.
There are a handful of Pizza Hut locations across the Northland, including right here in Duluth. Pizza sounds pretty good right about now.
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