Denny’s, America’s Diner, Shutting Down More Locations Across America

It has been an interesting year for the restaurant industry. The impacts of inflation and costs of operation have seen revenue plummeting and some major chains struggling.

Earlier this year, Denny's shut down 57 locations due to underperformance. Now comes word that even more have bit the dust.

Denny's, America's Diner, Shutting Down More Locations Across America

In the second quarter of 2024 — which ended in June — Denny's CFO, Robert Verostek, relayed the message in the company's Q2 earnings call with its investors and owners.

Verostek said there were "15 closures with an average unit volume of slightly under $1.1 million and were open on average for 24 years."

As you can see, these are somewhat legacy locations that had trouble staying afloat amidst the financial tough times we are going through as a country, post-pandemic.

Is It Just These Specific 15 Locations That Aren't Doing Well for Denny's?

Not really, Nation's Restaurant News reports that Denny's domestic systemwide same-store sales were down .6 percent from the same quarter of 2023. That included declines of .4 percent at domestic franchised restaurants and declines of 2.6 percent at company units.

Denny's has a plan to hopefully not lose any more of its locations. It's bringing back some classic meal deals.

In a few weeks, Denny's will officially relaunch its $2-$4-$6-$8 value menu with an added $10 category to help drive traffic.

Kelli Valade, Denny's CEO, is confident that the reintroduction of these classic meal deals will not only get diners excited, but it will add on extra revenue for each and every location that participates.

Valade said, "This was a value platform unique to Denny's that launched years ago to amazing results, and it's a unique equity only we have. We're thrilled to bring back this consumer-friendly traffic-driving platform based on extensive testing and reengineering."

In addition to the 15 locations that were closed in Q2, there were also three new locations added to the Denny's roster.

Hop in your mom and dad's two-tone, wood grain station wagon, and get to Denny's for a nostalgic meal and nostalgic prices, before it's too late.

Evan Paul is the host of Taste of Country Nights, a syndicated radio show heard on more than 130 country radio stations nationwide, every night from 7PM to midnight. He plays the best new country music and interviews today's top stars, like Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, Dan + Shay, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Chris Stapleton, Lady A, + more!