Key Points
Applebee's Calexico location closes June 23 after 20 years, affecting 30 employees.
Dine Brands projects 20-35 Applebee's closures in 2025 amid franchisee bankruptcy fallout.
Company pivots to dual-branded IHOP-Applebee's model with 80 locations planned by year-end.
DIN stock falls 2.84% to $28.73; Meyka rates B+ with $24.28 target suggesting 15% downside.
The Applebee’s location in Calexico, California will permanently close on June 23, ending a 20-year run and displacing nearly 30 employees. Dine Brands Global stock fell 2.84% to $28.73 on June 03 as the closure signals continued pressure on traditional Applebee’s locations. The company is shifting focus toward a dual-branded restaurant model combining Applebee’s and IHOP under one roof.
Applebee’s Sheds Locations Across the Country
The Calexico closure is one of several Applebee’s shutdowns this year. Locations in Glenville, New York; McHenry, Illinois; and two spots in Evansville, Indiana have already closed. Applebee’s projects losing 20 to 35 locations in 2025. The chain also faced fallout from a franchisee bankruptcy when Neighborhood Restaurant Partners Florida closed 14 locations and filed for bankruptcy, with 10 additional restaurants shuttering afterward.
Dine Brands Pivots to Dual-Branded Model
Parent company Dine Brands is redirecting resources toward combining Applebee’s and IHOP into single locations. The company plans to have 80 dual-branded restaurants operating by year-end 2026, with 50 more announced for 2025. CEO John Peyton stated on an earnings call that the dual-brand strategy aims to boost sales, cut operating costs, and improve efficiency. Internal projections suggest potential for 900 dual-branded locations over the next decade.
Stock Faces Headwinds Amid Broader Casual Dining Pressure
Dine Brands stock fell 2.84% to $28.73 on June 03, with the RSI at 45.28 showing neutral momentum. The company carries a Meyka grade of B+ with a 12-month price target of $24.28, suggesting 15% downside from current levels. Analyst consensus rates the stock a Hold, with one Buy and two Hold ratings. The casual dining sector faces industry-wide challenges as Denny’s plans to close up to 150 locations and Red Lobster targets over 100 closures this year.
Final Thoughts
Applebee’s Calexico closure reflects a strategic shift toward dual-branded restaurants rather than traditional standalone locations. With Meyka rating DIN a B+ and forecasting $24.28 in 12 months, the stock faces near-term pressure from ongoing closures and restructuring costs.
FAQs
No official reason was disclosed. The closure reflects Applebee’s strategy of closing underperforming locations while prioritizing dual-branded IHOP-Applebee’s restaurants.
Applebee’s expects 20 to 35 closures in 2025, plus 24 additional closures from franchisee bankruptcy.
Dine Brands combines Applebee’s and IHOP in single locations to boost sales and reduce costs, targeting 80 dual-branded restaurants by end-2026.
Disclaimer:
The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is solely for research and informational purposes. Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be considered investment or trading advice.
About Author

Danny Kontos
Co FounderDanny Kontos has been a stock investor since 2007 and co-founded Meyka in 2023. He keeps a small, focused portfolio and only moves when the numbers are hard to argue with. He has waited years on a single position before. Before Meyka, he ran a web hosting company and a mortgage lending platform, so he knows what a well-run business actually looks like under the hood. This article did not come from a news cycle. It came from someone who has been watching this space for a long time.
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