AN Applebee’s restaurant has closed its doors for good, leaving fans of the casual dining chain stunned.
The shutdown in Wilmington, North Carolina is the latest closure to hit the popular chain.
The restaurant has been removed from the list of Applebee’s eateries that are listed on its website.
Applebee’s has 37 restaurants in North Carolina, including in Charlotte, Raleigh, Asheville, and two in Greensboro.
It’s unknown when the restaurant closed, but fans took to Facebook last week to share their shock about the closure.
Social media posts prompted fans of the chain to reminisce on their memories of the establishment.
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One fan posted online: “Wait? For reals. I had my 16th bday there.”
Another chimed: “All the memories and my first restaurant job and server.”
The closure comes months after chiefs warned that they would be shutting more restaurants than anticipated.
Bosses warned in August that they expected to see 25 to 35 net closures by the end of this year, per Restaurant Business.
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Applebee's has around 1,500 locations across the US, but a raft of restaurants have closed down in recent months.
An Applebee’s restaurant in Sheboygan, Wisconsin also closed for good on July 2.
On May 28, an Applebee’s restaurant in Tallahassee, Florida closed after 15 years.
The U.S. Sun reported earlier this year that an Applebee’s restaurant in Lawrence, Kansas – located around 26 miles from Topeka – closed after 30 years.
An Applebee's Grill and Bar in Shawnee closed after more than three decades.
Applebee's is not the only chain that has left Wilmington.
Bosses at the sports bar chain Fox & Hound abruptly shuttered its location in the city.
The reasons behind the shutdown remain unclear, but bosses at the Mayfaire Town Center told the ABC and CBS affiliate WWAY: "Our top priority is to provide a vibrant shopping and dining environment and are committed to bringing in fresh and innovative options.
“We appreciate your patience as we work towards backfilling the space and upgrading our tenant mix to offer Wilmington area residents and visitors the best selection of retailers, dining, and entertainment."
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Fox & Hound has other locations in Kansas, Illinois, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.
The chain is known for its menu of burgers, wings, pizza, and popular drinks such as beers, wine, and cocktails.
