Casual Dining Struggles in 2024
Casual dining restaurant brands, including Applebee's, experienced declines in 2024, according to Franchise Times' Top 400 ranking.
Applebee's, owned by Dine Brands, has over 1,600 locations in the US and other countries, but faced a difficult year with sales falling by more than 5 percent and unit count shrinking.
John Peyton, CEO of Dine Brands, said evolving guest expectations and economic shifts resulted in a challenging year.
- Applebee's: sales fell by more than 5 percent, unit count shrunk
- Johnny Rockets: specializes in American classics, strong international presence
- The Melting Pot: leadership committed to the experience
Author's summary: Casual dining chains struggled in 2024 due to shifting guest expectations and economic changes.