Long John Silver’s closed 30 U.S. restaurants across 18 states during 2025, according to franchise information released in June 2026. The seafood chain finished the year with 479 locations, down 23 from the end of 2024.
The closures happened in 2025 but attracted wider attention after the disclosure was issued in 2026. The company has not announced 30 additional closures for 2026 or said how many restaurants could close this year.
Long John Silver’s closures by state
- Arizona: 3
- Colorado: 2
- Connecticut: 2
- Florida: 1
- Indiana: 1
- Kansas: 1 company-owned restaurant
- Kentucky: 1
- Maryland: 1 company-owned restaurant
- Michigan: 1 company-owned restaurant
- Missouri: 1
- Nebraska: 2
- New York: 2
- Ohio: 5, including one company-owned restaurant
- Pennsylvania: 1 company-owned restaurant
- South Carolina: 1
- Tennessee: 1
- Texas: 3, including one company-owned restaurant
- Virginia: 1
Ohio recorded the most closures with five, followed by Arizona and Texas with three each. Of the 30 affected restaurants, 24 were franchised and six were company operated.
The disclosure does not provide every closed street address. Customers can confirm nearby restaurants and current hours through the official Long John Silver’s restaurant locator.
Why did the restaurants close?
Company spokesperson Laura Ellis said the decisions reflected conditions at individual restaurants, including lease expirations and routine operating considerations. She said they were not part of a chain-wide closure program.
Six franchisees did not renew their agreements during 2025, while another 19 left the franchise system for undisclosed reasons. No franchisees were formally terminated.
Long John Silver’s has not reported how many employees were affected. Staffing differs between locations, so a reliable national job-loss figure is unavailable.
Ten new restaurants opened in 2025
The chain opened 10 restaurants during the same year. Franchisees added five locations, including sites in Kentucky, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas, while the company opened five of its own.
Despite those openings, the U.S. network ended 2025 with 23 fewer restaurants. The company-operated count declined by three, although Long John Silver’s has acquired nearly 40 locations from franchisees since 2023.
How much has the chain shrunk?
Long John Silver’s reported almost 900 franchised U.S. restaurants when it marked its 50th anniversary in 2019. Its total domestic network stood at 479 at the end of 2025, representing a net decline of 110 restaurants since the beginning of 2023.
Other restaurant brands have also adjusted their networks through closures and ownership changes, including Papa Murphy’s store closures in 2026 and the shutdown of more than 40 Dairy Queen franchise locations.
Is Long John Silver’s going out of business?
Long John Silver’s has not announced bankruptcy, liquidation or plans to close every restaurant. Its declining location count shows that the U.S. network is smaller, but it does not mean the entire company is shutting down.
The company says it has recorded 16 consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth. This measures sales changes at established restaurants and does not show whether the overall location count is growing.
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Remodeling plans for remaining locations
Four Oaks Partners acquired Long John Silver’s in 2022. The privately held company says more than 115 restaurants have been remodeled, with approximately 100 additional upgrades planned over the next two years.
Modernized restaurants may receive updated exteriors, redesigned dining areas, digital menu boards and layouts supporting drive-thru, carryout and mobile orders. The current strategy combines selected closures with new openings, acquisitions and investment in existing locations.
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