Local

Kansas City restaurants face closures and financial woes

Stories by Kansas City Star journalists, with AI summarization

Several national and local chain restaurants have closed Kansas City area locations this year, spotlighting financial struggles. Red Lobster shut two area sites as part of a nationwide downsizing, blaming losses partly on costly promotions. Eight Applebee’s restaurants also closed abruptly, reflecting ongoing issues for the once locally headquartered brand.

Other closures include Smitty’s Garage in Ward Parkway Center, Lion’s Choice reducing to one local restaurant and only two Hooters left after recent shutdowns. Mexican concepts such as Jose Pepper’s at Legends Outlets and On the Border’s last area spot also exited, painting a picture of tough market conditions for familiar names.

Red Lobster’s Cheddar Bay biscuits are famous among bread lovers.

NO. 1: TWO KANSAS CITY AREA RED LOBSTER RESTAURANTS CLOSE AS COMPANY SHUTS 87 NATIONWIDE

Say goodbye to cheddar biscuits and coconut shrimp at these two locations. | Published May 14, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Lion’s Choice is known for its 100 percent lean beef slow-roasted daily. It also has roasted turkey breast and hickory smoked ham.

NO. 2: THIS FAST-FOOD CHAIN WILL CLOSE ALL BUT ONE KC AREA LOCATION, BUT REMAINS ‘OPTIMISTIC’

This restaurant chain had previously left the KC market, but it came back in 2018. | Published June 18, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

The Hooters at 6411 N.W. Barry Rd closed over the weekend, part of the chain’s nationwide push to close its underperforming restaurants. By David Hudnall

NO. 3: HOOTERS CLOSES 2 KANSAS CITY AREA LOCATIONS, A ‘DIFFICULT DECISION.’ ONLY 2 REMAIN

Hooters faces increased competition in the so-called breastaurant industry with similar chains like Tilted Kilt and Twin Peaks. | Published June 25, 2024 | Read Full Story by David Hudnall

Smitty’s Garage Burgers & Beer closed in Kansas City

NO. 4: ‘WISH WE COULD’VE MADE IT WORK.’ AFTER 7 YEARS, KC BURGERS AND BREWS RESTAURANT CLOSES

“It just wasn’t possible, and just one of those things. Not a fun decision to make,” a manager said. | Published October 7, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

The Applebee’s at 3404 Rainbow Blvd. is among the restaurants that appear to have permanently closed overnight. By David Hudnall

NO. 5: ALMOST ALL OF APPLEBEE’S KANSAS CITY AREA LOCATIONS CLOSE ABRUPTLY. HERE’S WHY

The chain closed eight restaurants in the Kansas City area overnight. | Published October 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson David Hudnall

The Creamy Steak Enchilada at Jose Pepper’s. The local chain has closed its location at Legends Outlets.

NO. 6: KANSAS CITY AREA MEXICAN RESTAURANT CHAIN HAS CLOSED THIS LOCATION AFTER 10 YEARS

Nine locations of the chain remain in the area. | Published January 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by David Hudnall

The Double Jack at Jack in the Box will be coming to a menu near you in Lexington and Louisville. The burger chain is expanding into Kentucky.

NO. 7: THIS NATIONAL FAST FOOD CHAIN CLOSES MULTIPLE KANSAS CITY AREA LOCATIONS. HERE’S WHERE

Five of the chain’s restaurants remain open. | Published March 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina.

NO. 8: NATIONAL TEX-MEX CHAIN HAS CLOSED ITS LAST KANSAS CITY AREA RESTAURANT AFTER DECADES

The Johnson County location had been there for 25 years, but the brand entered KC in the mid-1990s. | Published March 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Charisse has closed at 1006 Walnut St. By David Hudnall

NO. 9: KANSAS CITY RESTAURANT HAS CLOSED AFTER 10 YEARS: ‘AN HONOR TO SERVE YOU’

The restaurant served French fare in its early years but more recently described itself as an American restaurant. | Published April 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by David Hudnall

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.