Dine Brands, the parent company of Applebee’s, IHOP and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, laid off about 9% of its corporate staff Friday.
The layoffs were “part of a strategic plan to better align with current market conditions,” VP of Human Resources Christie Cook said in a statement emailed to Restaurant Business.
“This decision was not made lightly,” she said. “We deeply value the contributions of all our team members and are committed to supporting those affected during this transition.”
The layoffs impacted a number of departments, brand teams and offices at Pasadena, California-based Dine. The company had 596 employees at the end of 2023, the majority of which were corporate workers, according to financial filings.
Dine is one of the largest full-service restaurant companies in the world, with more than 3,500 restaurants worldwide. Most are operated by franchisees.
Both Applebee’s and IHOP have struggled recently with sales and traffic declines. Applebee’s in particular has suffered from a more price-conscious consumer and stiff competition in the casual-dining segment. It is coming off six consecutive quarters of same-store sales declines.
“We remain focused on our long-term vision driving sustainable growth and success,” Cook said. “We are grateful for the dedication and hard work of our team members and will continue to prioritize their well-being.”
Dine is just the latest restaurant company to announce layoffs as the industry faces rising costs and falling traffic. Starbucks, Panera Bread, Noodles & Company and Duck Donuts have all made similar moves in recent months.
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