Popular Chain Restaurant Closing More Stores in Utah

There's nothing worse than losing your first love.

My first love was Denny's.

Every summer family road trip was filled with stops at Denny's. I'd get the lumberjack slam, the butter came out like scoops of ice cream, the eggs were good.

Well, unfortunately even more Denny's than first anticipated might be closing in Utah.

There were reports late in 2024 that 150 stores would be closing across the country, but now it looks like even more are going down.

According to ABC4.com

"In 2025, the company plans to close between 70 and 90 restaurants. A list of exact locations expected to close was not immediately available.

“In any mature brand, when restaurants have been open that long, it is natural that trade areas can shift over time,” Robert Verostek, the company’s chief financial officer, said during a call with investors. Some of these closures, he added, are restaurants with expiring leases."

The exact stores that are closing isn't specified but it's not looking good for Utah Denny's lovers. With the price of eggs going bonkers right now, who the heck knows when Denny's is going to be stabilized.

Verostek makes it sound like these closures are a natural thing that happens with a "mature brand" and that buildings get old and leases expire. But I don't think that's giving us the full story. I think a lot of restaurants are hurting right now and are having to cut down a little bit.

I can just say I love Denny's and all that they've done for me and my family. I hope they're able to get through this tough time.