Atlanta-based Applebee’s franchisees operating more than 50 locations have filed for bankruptcy and closed 10 locations in Florida and Georgia.
It closed after Applebee’s franchisee, Neighborhood Restaurant Partners Florida, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on March 24. Documents filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Georgia show the company has liabilities ranging between $10 million and $50 million.
According to court documents reviewed by USA TODAY, the franchisee purchased 50 Applebee’s restaurants in May 2012, then purchased another 15 restaurants from another franchisee four months later. While the franchise enjoyed considerable success between 2013 and 2015, sales began to decline in late 2015.
“The companies then experienced a period of ups and downs as they grappled with various failed strategies and promotions, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the inflationary pressures currently impacting the entire restaurant industry,” Neighborhood Restaurant Partners Florida said in the documents.
In addition to financial struggles, franchisees said operating expenses have increased due to inflation.
Neighborhood Restaurant Partners Florida closed nine restaurants in 2025 and five during the first quarter of 2026, bringing its fleet to 53 locations, which will be included in the bankruptcy sale. Applebee’s is leading a bankruptcy sale for the franchise, according to court documents.
At least 10 of the locations already closed are in Florida and Georgia, according to court documents. Rob Williamson, the attorney representing the franchise, said the business “plans to use the Chapter 11 process to facilitate the ongoing sale of all existing restaurants, and does not plan to close any additional.”
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Court documents show that of the more than 1,500 Applebee’s-owned locations worldwide, Neighborhood Restaurant Partners Florida ran 53 of them as of the end of March.
While it’s unclear what date the locations closed, the company said some restaurants deemed “unprofitable” have already closed their doors.
In the documents, the franchisee said there were 10 restaurants whose leases the company planned to decline.
These locations will no longer appear on the franchise’s location website:
Florida
- Casselberry – 3315 US Highway 17-19
- Celebration – 6290 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway
- Daytona Beach – 1700 W Int. Speedway Blvd., Unit 600
- Kissimmee – 14990 E. Orange Lake Blvd.
- Orlando – 11036 International Drive
- Orlando – 2503 S. Kirkman Road
- Ormond Beach – 150 Williamson Blvd.
- Panama City – 678 West 23rd St.
- Panama City Beach – 10071 Hutchison Blvd.
Georgia
- Albany – 637 Westover Blvd.
Applebee’s brand ‘remains strong’, CEO says
Neighborhood Restaurant Partners Florida said in court documents that the company tried to find investors and sell the locations. Company officials worked with banking firm Citizens Bank to oversee the sale process, which lasted four to five months but failed.
The franchise said it contacted more than 83 groups, and while 17 initially expressed interest, they did not find any buyers.
The franchisee has reached a temporary agreement with Applebee’s and its parent company, Dine Brands. According to the agreement, Applebee’s will act as the stalking horse bidder – an entity that sets the minimum sale price for assets during bankruptcy proceedings.
Dine Brands CEO and Applebee’s president John Peyton said in a statement to USA TODAY that “the Applebee’s brand remains strong.”
“Serving as a stalking horse bidder gives us the opportunity to be strategic and selective in supporting the long-term health of the system and this portfolio of restaurants that have historically had solid performance,” Peyton said. “We are approaching this the same way we always have – focusing on sustainability, growth and doing what is right for our guests, team members and franchise partners.”
Reporting by Selene Martin, USA TODAY/USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
