Denny’s, the beloved late-night diner chain, has announced the permanent closure of its Kansas City location as part of a widespread restructuring effort to revamp its business and focus on more profitable locations.
Denny’s Closes KC Location Amid Mass Downsizing Efforts
A late-night diner chain has closed a location of at least 17 years in Kansas City. Denny’s, located at 6887 E. Front St., has signs in its windows announcing that it’s permanently closed.
The closure directs customers to visit one of the chain’s other locations: 2117 Taney St., 3939 S. Nolan Road in Independence, 8810 E. State Route 350 in Raytown, 9001 Shawnee Mission Parkway in Merriam and 10480 Metcalf Ave. in Overland Park.
The South Carolina-based company announced in October that it would shut down 150 stores — one-tenth of its footprint — by the end of 2025, according to reporting by CNN. Denny’s is targeting its “underperforming stores,” executive vice president Steve Dunn told CNN.
The location in Northeast Kansas City was owned by Texas-based franchisee Den-Tex Central. When asked if Denny’s has more location updates for the KC area, the chain told The Star it would not provide advanced notice of any other closures.
Denny’s began in Lakewood, California, in 1953 and gradually morphed and grew into the well-known brand it is today. Many of its locations are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The closure comes as part of Denny’s efforts to revamp its business and focus on more profitable locations. The company has been working to reduce costs and improve efficiency in recent years.