- Long John Silver's has dramatically shrunk its U.S. footprint, falling from nearly 900 restaurants in 2019 to just 477 by the end of last year.
- The seafood chain has closed more than 100 locations since the start of 2023, including a net loss of 20 restaurants so far this year after shutting 30 and opening 10.
- Company officials say the closures are part of a strategy to build a stronger, more profitable business—not a sign the brand is disappearing.
- Many of the shutdowns were tied to expiring leases, relocations and changing market conditions following Four Oaks Partners' acquisition of the chain in 2022.
- Despite operating hundreds fewer restaurants, Long John Silver's says it has posted 16 straight quarters of same-store sales growth, with annual sales rising from about $400 million in 2022 to nearly $430 million in 2025, and plans to open 25 new locations.
IN FULL
Long John Silver’s has cut the number of its restaurants in half in recent years
