A restaurant chain with 475 locations across the country is on the verge of closing dozens of branches.

Colorado-based fast-casual chain Noodles & Company concluded during a recent earnings call that 20 locations were responsible for a contribution margin of about $2 million.

2

2

“We will evaluate the possibility of closing these restaurants on or before the expiration date of their leases,” said Chief Financial Officer Mike Hynes.

“The timing of possible closures is uncertain and will be decided on a case-by-case basis.”

CEO Drew Madsen said progress was being made toward meeting his five priorities “for sustainable profitable growth.”

These include operational improvements, redesigning the menu, leveraging the chain’s digital strength, expanding the catering business and strengthening the company’s financial base.

“While the current operating environment may cause some volatility in our near-term results, we are focused on what we can most directly influence and continue to position Noodles to capitalize on the significant growth opportunities we believe it presents over the long term,” he said.

The US Sun has contacted Noodles & Company for comment.

STORE CLOSURES

The closure of this Shoney’s restaurant is just one of many stores across the United States closing their doors this year.

Rusty Bucket, another restaurant chain, will permanently leave the state of Florida next week.

The chain has 20 locations in the US and is known for its relaxed atmosphere.

Badcock Furniture & More, a popular furniture chain, will close all its stores by the end of the year after 120 years in business.

“It’s so sad to see all these hard-working people losing their jobs. Many of them have dedicated many years of their lives to this company,” said one angry customer.

Discount retailer Big Lots announced earlier this year that it would close over 300 underperforming stores.

A Big Lots location will be lost in 35 states.

California will be hit hardest: 75 of the 109 branches will have to close their doors.

“Everything is closing, from banks to grocery stores,” complained one shopper.

The state of Massachusetts is preparing for a series of closures in the coming months.

Eight Stop & Shop stores are to be closed by the end of the year.

These are part of a larger wave of 32 closures across the Northeast.

Restaurant closures in 2024

Bosses of large restaurant chains have announced a series of restaurant closures. The US Sun has compiled a list of the affected chains.

• Cracker Barrel: Stores in Medford, Oregon, Columbia, South Carolina and Sacramento, California, have closed.
• Mod Pizza: The bosses dramatically closed 27 stores, including in the state of California.
• Frisch’s big boy: Restaurant managers confirmed the closure of a restaurant in Covington, Kentucky.
• Two dollars: Four restaurants in Ohio are facing closure.
• Chilies: A restaurant in Port Arthur, Texas, has permanently closed.
• Friendly matches: The bosses confirmed that a branch in Ronkonkoma, Long Island, will be closed.
• Pizza Hut: A restaurant in Glen Falls, New York, closed in late March.
• Denny’s: Two restaurants in Boise and Nampa, Idaho, have closed.
• Carl’s Jr.: The first location in Boise, Idaho, was closed.

Residents of Worcester, Massachusetts, less than an hour from Boston, are worried about where they will shop after stores close.

“Residents are concerned,” said Jennifer Pacillo, district councilor.

She pointed out that while there is an Aldi nearby, it is not a “full-range grocery store” and that “people deserve access to healthy, free food.”

Stop & Shops will also be closing in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island this year.

Ten locations in Jersey and another seven in New York will be closed.

Stop & Shop closed all of its deli stores after warning customers not to eat spoiled meat.

For more news on restaurant closures, see the US Sun’s coverage of fast-food and casual dining restaurant closures.

Find out which restaurants are closing for good and which closures are just social media jokes.