Bob Evans closes three area restaurants

Bob Evans Farms Inc. has shuttered restaurants in Merriam, Overland Park and the Northland.

In late April, the New Albany, Ohio-based company announced 20 restaurant closings over the next 12 months with the majority of locations scheduled to close by the end of May.

It has now closed locations at 5870 Antioch Road, Merriam; 9102 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park; and 8501 N. Church Road in the Northland, as well as one in St. Joseph, Mo.

Area locations in Belton, Blue Springs, Kansas City, Kan., and Lee’s Summit are still in operation.

In a statement, chief financial officer Mark Hood said: “Closing a restaurant is a difficult decision as it directly impacts our guests and employees. These restaurants, however, despite efforts to improve performance, were not meeting expectations.”

He said employees at the closed restaurants would be offered positions in nearby Bob Evans restaurants where possible.

The company operated 564 Bob Evans Restaurants in 19 states at the end of its fiscal quarter ending Jan. 23.

This story was originally published May 26, 2015 at 10:34 AM with the headline "Bob Evans closes three area restaurants."