National Burger Chain Red Robin Downsizing Virginia Locations

The restaurant chain is closing 20 locations nationwide, including several in the Commonwealth.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Red Robin, a national burger restaurant chain with 17 locations across Virginia, has announced plans to close 20 restaurants across the country this year. The company cited the need to optimize its portfolio as the reason for the closures, though specific locations set to shutter have not been disclosed. Despite the downsizing, Red Robin remains optimistic about its future, recently introducing a new menu with new meal options ranging from $9.99 to $16.99.

Why it matters

The Red Robin closures are the latest example of the ongoing challenges facing the restaurant industry, which has seen significant upheaval in recent years due to the pandemic, changing consumer habits, and economic pressures. The closures will impact communities across Virginia that have come to rely on the popular burger chain.

The details

Red Robin closed 23 restaurants last year, finishing 2025 with 475 locations in the U.S. The company plans to close an additional 20 restaurants this year as part of an effort to "optimize the portfolio." While the specific locations set to close have not been disclosed, Red Robin operates 17 restaurants across Virginia, including sites in Fredericksburg, Woodbridge, Richmond, Falls Church, Manassas, Newport News, Chantilly, Virginia Beach, Glen Allen, Roanoke, Dulles, Chesapeake, Fairfax, and Christiansburg. To help boost sales, Red Robin has introduced a new menu featuring six meal options ranging from $9.99 to $16.99, including hand-breaded chicken sandwiches, Donatos pizza, and Whiskey River barbecue wraps.

  • Red Robin closed 23 restaurants in 2025.
  • Red Robin plans to close an additional 20 restaurants in 2026.

The players

Red Robin

A national burger restaurant chain with 17 locations across Virginia.

David Paces

The CEO of Red Robin.

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What they’re saying

“I think in terms of the restaurant (franchise) size, we are still trying to optimize the portfolio.”

— David Paces, CEO, Red Robin (Patch.com)

What’s next

Red Robin has not disclosed which specific locations will be closing, but the company will likely provide more details in the coming weeks as it works to optimize its portfolio.

The takeaway

The Red Robin closures highlight the ongoing challenges facing the restaurant industry, as companies navigate changing consumer habits, economic pressures, and the lingering impacts of the pandemic. While the chain remains optimistic about its future, the downsizing will undoubtedly impact communities across Virginia that have come to rely on the popular burger chain.