Applebee's Closures Could Hit Western Pennsylvania

PITTSBURGH, PA - With as many as 135 Applebee’s about to be closed in the next few months, the question remains how many of the restaurant chain’s Pittsburgh-area locations might be shuttered.

The answer won’t be known immediately. The chain’s parent company, dineEquity, isn’t saying which restaurants are on the chopping block. But the company indicated the closures will be based on several criteria, including franchisee profitability, operational results and meeting brand quality standards.

"We are investing in the empowerment of our brands by improving overall franchisee financial health, closing underperforming restaurants and enhancing the supply chain. We are focusing on operations and elevating the guest experience, whether in our restaurants or off-premise. We believe 2017 will be a transitional year for Applebee's and we are making the necessary investments for overall long-term brand health and expect to see improvement over the next year," Richard J. Dahl, chairman and interim CEO of dineEquity, Inc. said in a statement.

Applebee’s operates 10 restaurants in southwestern Pennsylvania. Until an official announcement, it’s unclear how many - if any - will be among the approximately 7 percent of the 1,968 Applebee’s worldwide that will close.

Applebee’s locations in the region:

• Edgewood: 1601 South Braddock Avenue, Edgewood

• West Mifflin: 2045 Lebanon Church Road

• Wilkins: 3440 William Penn Highway

• Ross: 4801 McKnight Road

• Scott: 2101 Greentree Road

• Tarentum: 1050 Village Center Drive

• Robinson: 6570 Steubenville Pike

• Murrysville: 4920 William Penn Highway

• Gibsonia: 525 Grandview Crossing Drive

• North Huntingdon: 977 Magill Drive

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