O'Charley's closes all corporate locations after 55-year run

11 September 2026 · Source balance: Centre

O'Charley's, a 55-year-old casual dining restaurant chain based in Nashville, has permanently closed all of its remaining corporate-owned locations nationwide as of September 9, 2026. The closure marks the end of a long-running brand that once operated nearly 250 restaurants at its 2010 peak but had declined to just 47 locations by mid-2026. The chain's decline accelerated through the first half of 2026, with guest counts dropping 23.8 percent and comparable store sales falling 13.1 percent in the second quarter. Some franchised locations may remain open temporarily. O'Charley's is part of a broader wave of restaurant closures affecting the industry, driven by challenges including rising labor and food costs, inflation, and changing consumer preferences. The shutdown was announced abruptly without public notice from the company, with employees learning of closures through managers and the company disabling its website and social media accounts.