Times are tough. Businesses are closing all over the state. And not just the small mom-and-pop shops that are being pushed out by the big supermarkets. But also large retail locations.

Read more – These five Iowa stores could soon be closing

The same thing is happening with restaurants. The days of certain casual dining franchises expanding like crazy are over. These are 7 restaurants in Iowa that may soon be closing their branches.

1- Applebee’s

There is no good food in the neighborhood. Applebee’s has closed 300 locations since 2017, with another 25-35 expected to close this year.

There is hope for Applebee’s fans as the parent company plans to open joint Applebee’s IHop restaurants. A location that is open from morning to night… that makes sense!

2 – Hardee’s

Americans didn’t want a 1,400-calorie burger from a fast-food joint that cost the same or more than a regular burger at a full-service restaurant. Got it.

According to Eat This Not That, Hardee’s has already closed locations in Champaign, Chatham, Monticello, Springfield and Virden, Illinois.

3 – Outback Steakhouse

Maybe more money will be spent on product and less on bowl games? Outback Steakhouse plans to close about 41 underperforming locations this year, but also plans to open about 18 new locations.

4 – Red Lobster

This event was well publicized after 100 stores were closed in May. With 570 stores still open nationwide, some experts are waiting to see if there will be more closures this year.

5 – Denny’s

What the hell is going on with Denny’s? Apparently underground metal shows aren’t enough to keep the big slams going. After closing 57 locations in 2023, another 10-20 locations are slated to close in 2024. Denny’s needs a lot of space to serve $5 pancakes.

6 – TGI Fridays

We all love Fridays. But earlier this year, TGI Friday’s announced that they would be closing 36 underperforming restaurants. Although the East Coast was hit hardest by these closures, the casual dining chain will review all locations to ensure profits continue to grow.

7 – Cracker Barrel

According to Eat This Not That (where you can find more details on this list and other locations across the country that aren’t in Illinois but are closing), Cracker Barrel saw a 4% drop in customer traffic last quarter.

While these restaurants are closing locations in Iowa and across the country, some are also opening new ones. This shows that when it comes to real estate and restaurants, location is everything. When you search for your favorite chain or local restaurant on Google Maps, make sure the map is updated so you can see if it’s open before you head out.