Casual Dining Chain Closes Four Locations Post-Acquisition
A casual dining chain known for its sports bar atmosphere, Hickory Tavern, has closed four locations across North and South Carolina. The closures reduce the company's footprint by 20%, leaving it with 16 remaining restaurants. This move follows a challenging period in the restaurant industry marked by rising costs and shifting consumer preferences. The parent company, Artistry Restaurants, cited resource optimization as the primary reason for closing these locations, noting that proximity to other Hickory Tavern outlets influenced their decision. CEO Bryan Lockwood emphasized the importance of evaluating operations regularly to ensure efficient use of resources in support of long-term brand strength. Hickory Tavern was acquired by Artistry 19 months ago and has since undergone menu upgrades, restaurant redesigns, and partnerships with suppliers like Sysco to improve consistency across locations. Despite these efforts, four underperforming sites were deemed unsustainable.
