11 Great Alternatives To Red Robin, as Company Announces Closures

It's no secret that restaurant chains are struggling to stay relevant in today's economy. Many Americans are struggling to afford necessities and stretch their fast food budget, and national chains such as On the Border, Bar Louis, and Hooters have all announced plans to shutter locations in 2025 due to bankruptcy proceedings. Red Robin is trying to avoid that same fate.

In February, Red Robin announced that they were considering closing roughly 70 locations over the next five years, with 10 to 15 possibly closing in 2025. And though they said this number could be reduced based on future performance, it's difficult not to be skeptical as we watch chain restaurants drop like flies.

Just in case, here are some other similar restaurants you can try if your local Red Robin bites the dust.

Like Red Robin, Applebee's is a casual dining restaurant with a focus on mainstream American cuisine — meaning burgers are a significant portion of their menu. The chain offers a slightly lower price for a classic cheeseburger, but they also have a wider variety of options outside of burgers, chicken fingers, and sandwiches.

If you're only in it for the burger, some say a Chili's burger tastes more like it came off a backyard grill, which makes it more flavorful than other fast casual dining chains. It's also one of the most affordable burgers, too.

Though Chili's has far more of a Tex-Mex influence on its menu, you'll still find a wide range of burgers, wings, sandwiches, and more to satisfy your craving.

If you can't have your Red Robin burger, TGI Fridays serves up a comparable option, sometimes for slightly less out of your wallet. Like Red Robin, the menu has a hefty burger section, along with a wider selection of typical American cuisine.

But beware: TGI Friday's filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November of 2024.

If you like Red Robin but want to kick it up a notch, The Cheesecake Factory might be for you. It's on the higher end of the casual dining chains, both in atmosphere and in price. And though they offer more expensive burgers, they have a wider variety, including turkey and meat-alternative options.

The rest of the menu is where they really shine. The Cheesecake Factory has over 250 menu items made from scratch and to order, and 37 different cheesecake varieties from which to choose for dessert.

There's no shortage of burgers on the Ruby Tuesday menu, but like many casual dining chains, they expand their menu quite a bit beyond that, including steaks, pastas, chicken, and seafood.

The prices are comparable to Red Robin, and the company is on firm financial ground. Though there are fewer locations than in the past, in 2021, the chain successfully exited bankruptcy.

When you think of Texas Roadhouse, you probably think of steak — but they have burgers priced competitively with Red Robin. The rest of their menu is largely focused on a blend of Texan and Southwestern cuisine styles with a variety of chicken, fish, and pork entrees to choose from.

Obviously, wings are the main show from Buffalo Wild Wings, but they have a handful of classic burger options, some priced cheaper than what you would pay at Red Robin.

If wings are your go-to, Red Robin offers nine different sauce flavors. While this is perfectly respectable, it just can't compare to BWW's 26 different flavor options.

International House of Pancakes specializes in breakfast foods, but they also offer menu items comparable to those of Red Robin. Their burger selection isn't quite as expansive, but it covers the classics for around the same price.

Though Cracker Barrel serves up a more southern, homestyle cooking, they've got plenty of casual American cuisine worth ordering. Their selection of burgers is priced even cheaper than Red Robin's and made from 100% pure ground beef.

What really sets Cracker Barrel apart from other casual dining is the focus on homemade foods prepared fresh daily, using a vast majority of ingredients grown in America.

Shake Shack has a more limited menu than Red Robin, but they stay focused on their specialties — burgers, fries, and shakes. They are one of the fastest-growing food chains and consistently popular among the young adult demographic, surpassing more traditional fast food options like McDonald's or Burger King.

While Red Robin offers a smash burger, Smashburger specializes in them. The chain boosted the popularity of the specialized pressed cooking method, which sears the burger for flavor and creates a crispy edge on the burger patty. They also offer the lowest-priced burger of our comparisons, with many priced between $4.99 and $6.99.

Red Robin isn't in bankruptcy yet, and closing underperforming locations could let them avoid that fate. They haven't released a comprehensive list of closures, and like many Americans, the chain is focused on eliminating debt. So, if you find yourself in the same boat, it might be time to go with one of the best cash back credit cards to make the most of your monthly spending habits.