MA Restaurant Closings: National Chains To Shutter Locations

MASSACHUSETTS — Two restaurants chains are closing stores, according to reports. Applebee's is expecting to close between 25 and 35 restaurants throughout the country, MassLive reported.

No Massachusetts Applebee's will be among those closings, a representative told Patch.

Flynn Group, Applebee's largest franchisee and operator of its Massachusetts locations, confirmed that it "does not have any plans to close any Massachusetts Applebee’s," according to Flynn Group CEO Greg Flynn.

The casual dining chain serving American dishes such as burgers, pasta and "riblets" operates 24 restaurants in Massachusetts — including in Marlborough, Worcester, Tewksbury, and Saugus — and a total of more than 1,500 locations across 11 countries.

"Applebee's is a mature brand, and it is natural to have closures with changing trade areas and franchisee agreement expiration," Applebee's President Tony Moralego said in a statement, per MassLive. "We are in line with a 1-2% annual closure rate, which is normal for a brand of our age and development."

On the seafood side of the spectrum, Red Lobster abruptly shuttered more than 80 locations in at least 27 states on Monday, according to a report from FOX61. Red Lobster does not have any Massachusetts locations.

The company, known for its "Ultimate Endless Shrimp" deal, is seeking a buyer as it tries to avoid filing for bankruptcy, according to a report from CNBC. Red Lobster has considered filing for Chapter 11 as it's trying to restructure its debt and get out of costly and lengthy leases.

Its famous shrimp promotion — intended as a limited-time offer but brought in enough new customers that the chain added it to its permanent menu in June — resulted in $11 million in losses, Patch reported.

Patch Staff Emily Rosca contributed to this report.