A popular sports bar and grill chain has abruptly closed four restaurants, cutting its footprint by 20%, less than two years after a new owner acquired the brand.
The closures come as restaurant chains across the country continue to deal with severe challenges stemming from rising food and labor costs, shifting consumer habits, and aggressive competition for diners.
Full-service restaurants are feeling more pressure as they rely heavily on front-of-house staffing, table service, and bar staff. Moreover, full-service restaurants earn 3%-5% net, versus 6%-9% for fast-casual concepts and quick-service restaurants, on a scale where net margin above 6% is considered strong, according to data from Bloom Intelligence.
Founded in 1997 in Hickory, North Carolina, Hickory Tavern is a sports bar and grill family restaurant chain popular for its saucy wings, flatbreads, loaded nachos, and mozzarella sticks. Aside from food, the bar was often seen as a popular neighborhood gathering place.
Hickory Tavern abruptly closed four locations, leaving the chain with 16 remaining across the Carolinas, reported FSR Magazine.

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