O’Charley’s to Shut All Company-Owned Restaurants After 55 Years
The Nashville-based chain will close its remaining 52 company-owned locations nationwide on September 9, ending a five-decade presence in the restaurant market.
O’Charley’s Restaurant & Bar announced that all of its company-owned restaurants will cease operations on September 9, marking the end of a 55-year history. Employees at several Tennessee sites, including Clarksville, Hermitage and Nashville, said their locations are scheduled to close at 8 p.m. on that date.
The chain, founded in 1971 by Charles Watkins near Vanderbilt University, was sold in 1984 to former Shoney’s executive David Watchel, who expanded it to 45 outlets by 1993. Earlier this year the company operated 52 locations across the United States, with eight in Middle Tennessee.
O’Charley’s has disabled its social media accounts and has not responded to requests for comment. A Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, restaurant, the last in the greater Chattanooga area, declined to discuss the closures when contacted.
"We weren’t allowed to talk about it," the Fort Oglethorpe location told the newsroom.
The closures affect employees and patrons nationwide as the brand exits the market.