The closures will occur over the next six months.
Popular restaurant chain IHOP has just announced that they will be closing approximately 100 under-performing restaurants going into this year and next, due to struggles faced during the pandemic.
Across the nation, the coronavirus outbreak and lockdown has caused restaurants to either severely limit the number of people who can dine in or shut down entirely. As a result, restaurants are struggling to stay afloat.
The most depressing news to wake up to 😠ya Rabb pleaseeehttps://t.co/ORv0ZWG4yz
— Yahya (@moreyahyaplease) October 30, 2020
The announcement comes after a poor earnings report during the restaurant's third quarter, according to a report released this past Wednesday.
“We are confident that we will eventually replace these severely underperforming locations with better performing restaurants that have volumes closer to pre-COVID levels," a spokesperson for Dine Brands, the parent company of IHOP and Applebee's, told FOX Business. “These closures will allow us to remain focused on continuing to close the gap on sales, as well as focus on key priorities including expanding off-premise, ensuring restaurant safety, and providing compelling value and innovation."
Some local restaurants and bars have resorted to taking creative measures, including using bubble tents to keep diners warm while they dine outdoors through the colder months. While IHOP probably won't be taking such an innovative approach, the brand hopes to bounce back stronger after reassessing its current operating strategies.