Applebee's Closes Locations in 3 States

Restaurant chain shutters restaurants in Indiana, Missouri, and New York amid sales decline.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Applebee's has closed or is planning to close four restaurant locations across Indiana, Missouri, and New York in the coming months. The closures include two locations in Evansville, Indiana, one in Columbia, Missouri, and one in Glenville, New York. The chain's CEO says these closures are a normal part of running a mature national system and do not define the overall health of the business, which is seeing signs of growth and expansion.

Why it matters

The Applebee's closures highlight the ongoing challenges facing casual dining chains as they navigate shifting consumer preferences and economic conditions. While the company remains optimistic about its future growth, the closures raise questions about the long-term viability of the brand, especially as it faces a year-over-year sales decline.

The details

The Applebee's closures include two locations in Evansville, Indiana that opened over 20 years ago, the West Columbia location in Missouri that had been open for over 30 years, and the sole Applebee's restaurant in Glenville, New York, which will close on April 12. The company's CEO, John Peyton, says these closures are a normal part of running a mature national system and do not reflect the overall health of the business, which is seeing signs of growth and expansion, including plans to open more than two dozen new locations by 2031.

  • Two Applebee's locations in Evansville, Indiana closed in February 2026.
  • The West Columbia, Missouri Applebee's location closed in February 2026.
  • The Applebee's location in Glenville, New York will close on April 12, 2026.

The players

Applebee's

A casual dining restaurant chain with over 1,500 locations across 11 countries and territories.

John Peyton

The CEO of Applebee's, who says the closures are a normal part of running a mature national system and do not reflect the overall health of the business.

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What they’re saying

“Restaurant closures are a normal part of running a mature national system, but they don't define our trajectory. What matters is the momentum behind our growth, and we're seeing real signs of an inflection point. Our strategy is working, our teams are executing, and we're firmly focused on expanding our footprint and serving more guests across the country.”

— John Peyton, CEO, Applebee's (Newsweek)

The takeaway

While the Applebee's closures in Indiana, Missouri, and New York may be concerning, the company's CEO remains optimistic about the brand's future growth and expansion plans. However, the closures highlight the ongoing challenges facing casual dining chains as they navigate shifting consumer preferences and economic conditions.