Popular Italian Grill, Wendy's Location Close In Eastern Montco

Two chain restaurants have recently shut down in eastern Montgomery County, while another franchise plans to open new locations.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

This article summarizes recent business news in eastern Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. It reports that the Carrabba's Italian Grill restaurant has closed after over a decade of operation, and the Wendy's restaurant in Horsham Township has also permanently shut down. However, the popular sandwich chain Firehouse Subs plans to open new locations in King of Prussia and Willow Grove. Additionally, the Steel Penny Cafe in Hatboro has completed renovations and will now be open earlier on Tuesdays, while Arcadia University is launching a new Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity degree program.

Why it matters

The closures of the Carrabba's and Wendy's locations reflect the ongoing challenges facing the restaurant industry, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the planned openings of new Firehouse Subs restaurants and Arcadia University's new cybersecurity degree program suggest that there are also opportunities for growth and innovation in the region's business landscape.

The details

Carrabba's Italian Grill, which had operated for over a decade just off the Willow Grove Pennsylvania Turnpike interchange, has closed its doors this week. Meanwhile, the Wendy's restaurant in Horsham Township that had been in operation for more than 10 years has also permanently shut down, a decision made by the fast-food chain's parent company. On a more positive note, the popular national sandwich chain Firehouse Subs is planning to open new locations in King of Prussia and Willow Grove. Additionally, renovations have been completed at the Steel Penny Cafe in Hatboro, which will now be open at 8 a.m. every Tuesday morning. Arcadia University is also launching a new Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity degree program, one of the few such programs in the Philadelphia region.

  • Carrabba's Italian Grill closed its doors this week.
  • The Wendy's restaurant in Horsham Township closed permanently.
  • Firehouse Subs plans to open new locations in King of Prussia and Willow Grove.
  • Renovations at the Steel Penny Cafe in Hatboro are now complete.
  • Arcadia University will launch its new Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity degree program this fall.

The players

Carrabba's Italian Grill

A popular Italian restaurant chain that had operated a location in eastern Montgomery County for over a decade.

Wendy's

A fast-food restaurant chain that had a location in Horsham Township, Montgomery County for more than 10 years.

Firehouse Subs

A national sandwich chain that is planning to open new locations in King of Prussia and Willow Grove, Montgomery County.

Steel Penny Cafe

A cafe in Hatboro, Montgomery County that has completed renovations and will now be open earlier on Tuesdays.

Arcadia University

A university in Glenside, Montgomery County that is launching a new Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity degree program.

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The takeaway

The business news in eastern Montgomery County reflects the ongoing challenges and opportunities in the region's economy. While the closures of Carrabba's and Wendy's locations highlight the difficulties facing some industries, the planned openings of new Firehouse Subs restaurants and Arcadia University's new cybersecurity degree program suggest that there are also areas of growth and innovation.