A POPULAR steakhouse chain is drastically cutting its footprint around the United States this year.
Consumers looking for a higher-end fine dining experience will be forced to head elsewhere soon.
A popular high-end steakhouse chain is closing locations (stock image)[/caption]
Nusr-Et is removing at least five US-based restaurants (stock image)[/caption]
Celebrity chef Nusret Gökçe (pictured) owns the chain[/caption]
The restaurant reduction was confirmed by Nusr-Et Steakhouse in a press release on Wednesday.
Nusr-Et Steakhouse is notably owned by celebrity chef Nusret Gökçe (aka Salt-Bae).
Gökçe became known as Salt-Bae after a viral video in 2017 that saw him sprinkling salt on meat in a unique fashion.
Guests at Nusr-Et Steakhouse also get a special experience typically different than a standard steakhouse, with high-energy music through an on-staff DJ as steaks are cut in front of them, per Restaurant Dive.
It’s a mixture of entertainment with fine dining.
The chef’s steakhouses had grown to seven locations in the United States as of 2023.
DISAPPEARING ACT
Except, in January, some started slowly closing down.
This included a Nusr-Et Steakhouse in Dallas and Las Vegas.
At the end of last year, locations in Boston and New York City also shut their doors.
Now, it’s shuttering a Beverly Hills spot, leaving it’s last two locations in Miami and New York City.
Nusr-Et noted in the release that it’s focus is shifting to international openings instead.
Specifically, it’s continuing a “commitment to evolving its footprint in line with guest demand, travel trends, and regional opportunities.”
Rome, Italy, and Ibiza are international areas where Nusr-Et plans to go next.
As of 2024, it had 31 restaurants globally and plans to reach 40 by the end of this year, according to what the steakhouse chain told Restaurant Dive.
Restaurant closures in 2025
Denny’s – Denny’s has confirmed that up to 150 locations are set to close in the US by the end of the year as many of them are no longer profitable.
Red Lobster – The chain has said that it plans to close over 100 stores across the country this year as new CEO Damola Adamolekun takes over.
TGI Friday’s – TGI Friday’s is still being forced to shutter locations thanks to a bankruptcy filing, including 30 in April alone.
Applebee’s – This chain is projecting a loss of 20 to 35 Applebee’s spots in 2025 but is teaming up with IHOP to introduce dual-branded locations with a curated menu of the two’s best items.
Noodles & Company – This emporium is set to close between 17 and 21 locations in 2025 following a difficult 2024.
There’s even a move for the chain to open more SaltBae Burger restaurants in some major global airports.
At least one is already open in the iGA Istanbul Airport.
CASUAL OPENINGS
Some casual dining chains like Outback Steakhouse are instead expanding operations in the United states this year.
Bloomin’ Brands, parent company to the restaurant, confirmed the move to build up to 50 new spots throughout the year on a February earnings call.
CFO Michael Healy confirmed that around 18 to 20 would be corporate-owned and 30 franchised.
In 2026, Bloomin’ Brands also plans to put $40 million into its restaurants, including Outback Steakhouse, for renovations and menu updates instead of openings.
“Particularly for Outback, we need to focus on getting the guest experience right before we can earn the right to grow units,” Healy explained.
Bloomin’ Brands fine dining brand, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, was also the only one that didn’t record sales dips at the time.
Several brands have also filed for bankruptcy in the past year.
TGI Fridays filed at the end of 2024 and recently scrapped 85% of its menu in a massive comback attempt.
Hooters also went under earlier this year after weeks of rumors and is now abruptly shuttering 30 locations.
