Major casual dining chain announces abrupt closure and follows Applebees and IHOP in shutting dow

POPULAR eatery O'Charley's has abruptly closed one of its locations, leaving customers and employees blindsided.

The diner's location in Salisbury, North Carolina shuttered on Monday just weeks after neighbors IHOP, Sweet Frog, and Applebees.

A sign on the window told customers: "Sorry, we're closed permanently.

"O'Charleys thanks you for your patronage and we hope to see you soon!

"Gift cards are still valid at all o'charley's locations."

W. Craig Barber, CEO of the Nashville-based chain told WBTV: “Like many brands in the casual dining space, we have faced unprecedented disruptions to our business over the last few years.

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"Based on a variety of these industry challenges and the current macro-economic environment, we closed this O’Charley’s location as of October 23."

The CEO noted that it was a "difficult decision" but one that is hoped to help the brand "thrive."

He continued: "The O’Charley’s brand is proud to have been the place for great food and good times for more than 50 years and we look forward to continuing this legacy for the next 50.

"We appreciate our loyal guests who have visited us at this location while also being deeply grateful for the outstanding work of our operating team.

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"We are working with these team members now to relocate any to another store if they are able, as well as helping those who may need new employment.

"We encourage our guests to visit us at any of our other restaurants across the Southeast and Midwest.”

On Facebook, locals mourned the loss saying: "Sorry to see O’Charley’s go! Their yeast rolls were amazing!"

"Gotta get my bread somewhere else gonna miss you Ol' Charlies," another wrote.

However, a number of residents were not surprised by the closure as they warned the area would soon become "a ghost town."

"I Hop and Sweet Frog were a surprise! Applebees always seemed to have a good amount of cars in the lot. O’Charley’s no surprise," one person wrote.

Another added: "Truly sad to see any more businesses close in our area.

"They survived the pandemic but closed now. Salisbury needs to do better at helping businesses stay open."

"Salisbury is gonna be a ghost town if something is not done about the crime and all the homeless people sitting around," another warned.

Despite the rather predictable closure, diners were shocked by the apparent lack of notice given to customers and employees.

Some explained that they ate at the location last week and there was "no sign saying they were closing."

Another said: "We just ate there on Friday 21 and there was no sign then either.

Diners speculated whether employees had been informed, with one person saying it is "really messed up when they don't tell the employees they'll be out of jobs."

O'Charley's has not confirmed when employees at the Salisbury location were told of the closure, but at another shuttered location, workers were reportedly told on the day.

In Clark County, Ohio, an O'Charley's customer said on Facebook on Wednesday: "We were just told by our server this evening that the O'Charley's staff was given a heads up they are closing the door permanently as of tonight."

The diner from Springfield added: "That's what our waitress said before she dissolved into tears."

Locals were shocked at the treatment of employees with one adding that "O'Charley's is a failing chain," despite the CEO's positivity about the future.

Another added: "There wasn't any warning for the other stores either.

"The other stores woke up went to work to find the doors locked and a letter on the door saying permanently closed. These companies have no sympathy."

The Springfield diner closed at 8pm on Wednesday after serving customers for 22 years.

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Residents sent their well wishes to workers as they noted that "restaurant closures are hitting hard."

The U.S. Sun has contacted O'Charley's for comment.

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