News & Trending Shopping & Deals News

8 Fast-Food Chains Closing Restaurants in 2024 (Is Yours on the List?)

Your favorite place may be locking its restaurant doors for good.

african american woman eating burger
Updated Nov. 1, 2024
Fact checked

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

Fast food chains have been struggling recently due to declining customers and additional costs from inflation.

That may be good news if you’re trying to stretch your fast-food budget, but it could also be a bummer if your favorite local places close up.

So, which restaurants are shutting down locations across the country? Here are a few you may want to keep your eye on this year in case they disappear.

Earn $200 cash rewards bonus with this incredible card

There's a credit card that's making waves with its amazing bonus and benefits. The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card(Rates and fees) has no annual fee and you can earn $200 after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.

The Active Cash Card puts cash back into your wallet. Cardholders can earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases — easy! That's one of the best cash rewards options available.

This card also offers an intro APR of 0% for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (then 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable). Which is great for someone who wants a break from high interest rates, while still earning rewards.

The best part? There's no annual fee.

Click here to apply now.

Boston Market

jetcityimage/Adobe boston market fast casual restaurant

You may have noticed that your local Boston Market was closed, and you wouldn’t be alone.


The chain has struggled in recent years with legal woes and possible bankruptcy filings, which has led to Boston Markets shutting down across the country. There are fewer than 30 locations open now.

Boston Market also faced legal challenges over unpaid bills. The company’s owner tried to file for bankruptcy twice, but a judge tossed both filings.

Hardee’s

wolterke/Adobe gigantic hardee's signboard outdoors

Several Hardee’s locations closed earlier this year, including restaurants in Illinois.

Customers saw the closures of Hardee’s in Champaign, Springfield, Chatham, Virden, and Monticello. The Springfield location has been there since 1984.

White Castle

wolterke/Adobe white castle restaurant from outside

Chicago residents had to say goodbye to their White Castle when its location at 79th Street and W. Pulaski Road shut down earlier this year.

In October, the company also shut down a distribution center in Kentucky and a meat processing plant in Indiana and will route that work to other centers.

Stop overpaying when you shop online

Shopping online has its perks. It's super convenient, but it can be time consuming to find the best deals. Instead of hunting for coupon codes (that don't always work!) and opening tons of browser tabs comparing prices, you can try Capital One Shopping.

Capital One Shopping makes saving money effortless. Just add the browser extension and when you check out, it'll scour the internet for coupon codes to help you save cash. And before you check out at 25+ major retailers, Capital One Shopping will notify you with a friendly pop-up if the item you're buying is available cheaper somewhere else.

Capital One Shopping is free to use and won't show you ads. Add it today and stop overpaying!1

Get Capital One Shopping now

Shake Shack

Robert/Adobe shake shack store sign

Burger and shake shop Shake Shack announced in August that it would be closing nine locations across three states.

California took the biggest hit with six locations closing, while Ohio had one closing and Texas had two closings.

While the company shut down these nine locations due to underperformance, it also announced that it would be opening around 80 new locations across the country that were either owned by Shake Shack or licensed to other owners.

Pizza Hut

Roland Magnusson/Adobe pizza hut restaurant sign

Pizza Hut confirmed earlier this summer that it closed locations in Ohio and Indiana, leaving pizza fans without a slice of pie.

The shutdowns were caused by franchisee EYM Group's financial struggles. The group has already been sued for unpaid bills, and its issues could threaten almost 130 other locations that haven’t closed their doors yet.

Noodles and Company

Refrina/Adobe Noodles and Company Restaurant Sign

Noodles and Company may be a good place to get a variety of noodle dishes, but you might be out of luck if your local restaurant closes.

The company recently announced that it plans to close around 20 restaurants, but there hasn’t been an official announcement on when those locations will close.

The brand's chief financial officer said the moves would close underperforming locations that have lost a combined $2 million for Noodles and Company.

PDQ

fahrwasser/Adobe breaded chicken tenders

Chicken lovers may have enjoyed PDQ for chicken tenders and fries, but there are fewer now for customers.

The company shuttered eight locations earlier this year, with North Carolina losing six spots and South Carolina shutting stores in Greenville and Columbia.

The South Carolina shutdowns mean the state no longer has any PDQ restaurants, and the chain is now in only four states: Florida, North Carolina, New York, and New Jersey.

Steak ‘n Shake

jetcityimage/Adobe steak n shake retail restaurant

Residents in Quincy, Illinois, had to face the closure of its Steak ‘n Shake location at 3819 Broadway Street.

The announcement came after the passing of the location’s co-owner.

Bottom line

Lumos sp/Adobe father preparing egg for breakfast

Fast food places can be an easy way to grab food, but you could also end up busting your budget if you’re a regular customer.

Check out your favorite restaurants’ mobile apps. These apps can help you earn points and perks and put some extra cash in your pocket when you visit.

Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards

5.0
info

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Current Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks
Card Details