Add another restaurant to the list of chains closing locations in 2024.
This time it is a well-known restaurant known for its wide selection of pasta.
Restaurant chains that have closed locations this year
It hasn’t been a good year for chain stores and restaurants. Several big names have had to close multiple locations. Others have had to close forever.
(A full list of chain closures in 2024 follows)
The reasons for the closures vary depending on the industry and type of company.
Red Lobster’s expensive leases mean the chain will have nearly 150 fewer stores by the end of the year. Hooters is another big name that has also closed some of its restaurants this year, due to rising food and labor costs.
The latest name on the list of struggling restaurants is not only facing similar problems but is also reportedly suffering from “declining customer traffic.”
Pasta chain plans to close some locations
There doesn’t seem to be much competition when it comes to pasta shops that specialize in dishes other than Italian. Sure, you might find a decent mac and cheese place, but there aren’t many chains that will give you different pasta options that aren’t Italian-inspired.
And how many places can you get a big bowl of pasta and a giant Rice Krispies treat?
Noodles & Company seemed to fill that gap, offering pasta options inspired by different parts of the world. You can opt for your typical American mac and cheese, but also opt for a spicy Asian dish.
In front of a Noodles & Company restaurant
Unfortunately, the restaurant may be in trouble. Food blog Eat This, Not That! followed the company’s recent earnings call to investors and learned that nearly 20 locations have been placed on a list for possible closures.
READ MORE: Even more Red Lobster closures just announced; see the updated list
“By closing stores, Noodles aims to improve the health of the entire company, which is struggling with declining customer traffic and other financial problems,” the blog says.
To give you an idea of the problems Noodles is facing, according to Eat This, Not That!, the 20 stores on the list suffer a combined annual operating loss of $2 million.
Although not all 20 locations will be closed, according to the blog, at least 10 of them are expected to be out of operation by the end of the year. The company has not yet released any more detailed information about the locations.
Major brands closing locations in 2024
Here’s a look at some of our favorite big brands that will be closing locations to prevent themselves from losing money on underperforming stores.
Gallery credit: Billy Jenkins
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Gallery Credit: Madison Troyer
