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O’Charley’s Restaurant & Bar is closing most of its company-owned locations, ending a 55-year run as a Southern dining staple.

O’Charley’s Restaurant & Bar is reportedly closing nearly all of its company-owned locations on September 9, 2026, at 8 p.m. This closure marks the end of a 55-year run for the Nashville-founded chain, which has served as a staple of Southern dining. Cannae Holdings Inc., which owns a majority stake in the restaurant chain, reported that the brand faced significant challenges in maintaining customer traffic and sales. During the second quarter of 2026, guest counts fell 23.8% compared to the previous year, and same-store sales declined by 13.1%. To address these issues, management attempted to stabilize the business through menu engineering, guest service improvements, and the closure of underperforming locations. The chain, founded by Charles Watkins in 1971, grew to 250 units at its peak. However, it has undergone widespread closures in recent years due to shifting demographics and rising costs. While most company-owned locations are set to close, some franchised locations may remain open, including those owned by Covelli Enterprises.

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