Houlihan’s, the American casual dining and bar chain known for its comfort classics and neighborhood pub atmosphere, is quietly contracting its footprint across the United States after decades as a familiar dining destination.
Founded in 1972 in Kansas City, Missouri, the brand once had around 90+ locations nationwide. However, in recent years, the company has seen a steady decline in unit count, with several closures in recent years.
Recent closures across multiple states
In late 2025 and early 2026, multiple Houlihan’s locations closed their doors — sometimes with little public announcement. Among the most notable closures:
- In Upper Arlington, Ohio, the restaurant at the Kingsdale Shopping Center shut down after more than a decade of service, closing for good after dinner on December 31, 2025, when the lease expired.
- The last remaining Houlihan’s on Long Island in Farmingdale, New York, served its final meals on New Year’s Eve last year, marking the end of a long‑running local presence that had been part of community dining culture for years.
- Other recent closures include restaurants in Hershey, Pennsylvania; Dallas, Texas; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Columbus, Ohio, as part of a broader reduction from 29 locations in 2024 down to about 22 in early 2026.
These closures are not isolated events, but part of a larger strategic downsizing as the brand’s owner grapples with sluggish sales and industry headwinds.
Why the pullback?
Houlihan’s has battled declining sales and pressure on casual dining chains for years. According to industry data, the chain experienced an approximate 10% decline in sales from 2023 to 2024, a trend that has strained profitability and viability in several markets.
Factors contributing to these challenges include rising labor and food costs, competition from fast-casual and home delivery models, and shifting consumer preferences that have left some traditional sit-down concepts struggling to maintain relevance and foot traffic.
Replacing old favorites
In some markets, the closures have already opened the door for new concepts. For example, Raising Cane’s is reportedly planning to build a new location on the site of the former Long Island Houlihan’s, reflecting how fast‑growing brands are capitalizing on spaces vacated by older chains.
The future of the brand
While locations continue to close, the Houlihan’s brand hasn’t disappeared entirely. Restaurants remain open in states including New Jersey, Illinois, Minnesota, Georgia, Texas, Iowa, Virginia, Arkansas, Kansas, and Pennsylvania. However, its shrinking footprint highlights the broader stressors facing many casual dining chains in today’s economy and consumer dining trends.
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