Denny’s, the self-proclaimed “America’s diner,” is nearing its goal of closing 150 locations by the end of 2025. So far, Florida seems to have lost nearly 20 of them. There are six locations in Palm Beach County. Will any of those close? Here’s what we know.
The restaurant chain announced last year it would be closing underperforming restaurants. In February, the company said it had shut down 88 locations in 2024 and planned to shutter another 70 to 90 by the end of this year.
Newsweek reported more locations closed in California, Idaho, Massachusetts, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Texas.
In 2024, the company announced plans to upgrade older stores in a renovation program called Diner 2.0, require all stores to return to pre-pandemic hours of staying open 24/7, and reduce its menu from 97 to 46 items, according to reports.
However, in November Denny’s announced it had entered into a $620 million agreement to be sold to TGI Fridays-owner TriArtisan Capital Advisors, investment firm Treville Capital Group and Yadav Enterprises, which owns and operates about 550 restaurants across the country, so future plans may change.
Here’s what to know.
Which Denny’s in Florida have closed? Will Palm Beach County lose any?
Denny’s has not released a list of locations that have closed or will be closing. But in a comparison of the current location list to an archived one from early 2024, the following locations have been shuttered:
- Apopka: 351 E. Main Street
- Daytona Beach: 2701 N. Atlantic Ave.
- DeLand: 1206 N. Woodland Blvd.
- Fort Myers: 8031 Summerlin Center Road
- Hialeah Gardens: 11701 Okeechobee Road
- Key Largo: 97630 Overseas Hwy.
- Kissimmee: 2051 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy.
- Lake Wales: 4541 Macey Lane
- Largo: 940 Missouri Ave.
- Melbourne: 4530 W. New Haven
- Merritt Island: 75 E. Merritt Island Causeway
- Miami: 15235 SW 137th Ave.
- Miami Gardens: 19780 NW 27th Ave.
- Miami Lakes: 18600 NW 67th Ave.
- Orlando
- 440 S Semoran Blvd.
- 8243 S John Young Pkwy
- Palm Coast: 7 Kings Hwy
- Port Charlotte: 1340 Tamiami Trail
- Winter Park: 2684 Lee Road
At least one new Denny’s opened this year, a location in Naples in May. There are six locations in Palm Beach County including ones in Boca Raton, Lake Worth Beach, Palm Springs, Riviera Beach, Royal Palm Beach and West Palm Beach.
Why is Denny’s closing restaurants?
Among the restaurants closing are older locations that are too old to remodel or are based in unprofitable locations, according to Denny’s Executive Vice President and Chief Global Development Officer Stephen Dunn.
“Some of these restaurants can be very old. So when you think of a 70-year-old plus brand, you have a lot of restaurants that have been out there for a very long time,” Dunn told investors at the 2024 meeting.
Where can I find a Denny’s near me in Palm Beach County?
As of Dec. 9, there are 107 locations listed on the company website in 74 Florida cities, part of 1,272 locations across the country. Florida has the 3rd most locations behind California (347) and Texas (185).
You can find one near you at locations.dennys.com/FL.