SHUTTERS DOWN
‘Another business closing their doors’ as family favourite restaurant to close branch within weeks
The chain closed 18 stores last year
A FAMILY favourite restaurant chain is to shut a restaurant following a string of closures.
Frankie and Benny’s is due to close a branch in Dundee within weeks.
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The American-Italian chain has had a branch in the Overgate Shopping Centre since 2016.
The chain’s Dundee restaurant was saved from closure in 2020 when several other outlets shut but now it is due to
The restaurant is expected to close in the next two weeks, with a new retailer set to take over the space, according to Overgate shopping centre bosses.
Locals took to Facebook to share their disappointment at hearing the news.
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One user said: “It's happening all over not just in Dundee.”
“Awww what a shame,” said another.
A third user said: “How sad that another business is closing their doors.”
Overgate bosses confirmed to local media that a new retailer would soon be moving into the space.
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They said: “Frankie & Benny’s will be closing in the next two weeks or so."
“We would like to thank Frankie & Benny’s for being a valued tenant for over seven years, with a strong appeal to Overgate customers.
“We send the staff our best wishes for the future.”
A Frankie & Benny’s spokesperson told The Sun: “We are hugely disappointed at the closure of the very popular Dundee restaurant which has been a local favourite for the past eight years.
“The restaurant had increasingly high fixed costs which have impacted the ability of the site to stay profitable, something the previous owners of Frankie & Benny’s had tried to remedy.
“The team have done an amazing job and we would like to thank them and all our loyal customers for their continued support. We hope to return to Dundee very soon and will continue to review all location options.”
Last May The Restaurant Group (TRG) confirmed it was closing 23 of its loss-making restaurants to help reduce costs.
Out of the 23 locations, 18 of these were Frankie and Bennys and the remaining four were Chiquitos and a single Firejacks.
What is happening to the hospitality industry?
Energy costs have risen and more shoppers are choosing to conveniently order online rather than head into restaurants.
This has left some chains grappling with tighter budgets and having no choice but to close some branches to cut costs.
Papa Johns has confirmed that eight of its will remain closed until new ownership is found.
Taco Bell which hasn't been on the scene long pulled down the shutters on a drive-thru restaurant in Aberdeen.
Hostmore, the owner of restaurant chain TGI Fridays and 63rd+1st has said that it will no longer open any new restaurants until at least 2025, after confirming a drop in earnings.
Costa Coffee shut down two cafes already earlier this year.
Even Wetherspoon has struggled to brace the storm with 40 pubs closing down last and as many as 20 preparing to shut this year.
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