Applebee’s Calexico Location Closure Announced, Citing Corporate Restructuring
Effective immediately, the Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurant located at 11th Street and Imperial Avenue in Calexico, California, has permanently closed its doors after more than a decade of operation. The announcement was made Wednesday by franchise operator Doherty Enterprises, which confirmed the decision was part of a broader corporate restructuring initiative. The closure affects approximately 45 local employees, all of whom have been offered severance packages and priority consideration for positions at other Doherty-owned locations in Imperial Valley and El Centro. A statement from the company attributed the shutdown to a strategic evaluation of portfolio performance, noting that rising operational costs and shifting consumer traffic patterns were determining factors. Local city officials have expressed disappointment, citing the restaurant’s historical role as a community gathering spot and employer since 2012. The real estate property is now listed for commercial lease, and no immediate timeline has been set for a new tenant. The closure marks the fifth Applebee’s location shuttered in Southern California within the past six months.