Red Robin May Close WI Locations As Burger Chain Tries To Recoup Debt

WISCONSIN — The gourmet burger chain Red Robin plans to close around 70 underperforming locations, potentially including restaurants in Wisconsin.

Red Robin has 11 restaurants in Wisconsin, including:

• Appleton
• Brookfield
• Eau Claire
• Green Bay
• Greenfield
• Janesville
• Kenosha
• Madison
• Monona
• Oshkosh
• Wausau

The chain’s revenues were down about $1.25 billion in 2024, a decrease of $54.5 million from 2023, according to a February earnings release.

Red Robin posted a $77.5 million loss last year, compared to a net loss of $21.2 million the year prior.

Red Robin said it is “evaluating alternatives for approximately 70 underperforming restaurant locations, including closure, upon expiration for the current lease term.”

Between 10 and 15 Red Robin locations could close in 2025. The chain closed one restaurant last year when the building lease expired. The rest of the unprofitable restaurants are expected to close within five years.

At the end of 2024, there were 498 Red Robin restaurants nationwide. Of these, 407 were company-owned and 91 were operated by franchisees, according to the company.

“While financial results for 2024 fell well below our original expectations, we’ve made substantial improvements to the guest experience and believe we still have a significant opportunity ahead of us to reach the full potential of our iconic brand,” Red Robin President and CEO G.J. Hart said in the release.