A longtime Five Guys restaurant has quietly served its last customers in Nebraska, marking another closure for the popular burger chain as it trims locations across the country.
The Lincoln restaurant at 2525 Pine Lake Road is now listed as permanently closed on the company’s website, leaving Bellevue, Omaha and Papillion as the chain’s remaining Nebraska locations.
Lincoln location closes
The Lincoln restaurant had been a fixture on Pine Lake Road, offering Five Guys’ signature made-to-order burgers, hand-cut fries and milkshakes. While the company has not publicly explained the closure, it is one of at least 14 U.S. Five Guys locations that have shut down or announced plans to close during the first half of 2026.
Recent closures have also affected restaurants in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa and Louisiana, with several California locations citing financial hardship in state filings.
Part of a broader industry trend
The closure comes as many restaurant chains continue to face rising labor, food and occupancy costs while consumers cut back on discretionary spending. Industry analysts say even well-known fast-casual brands have struggled to maintain profitability at every location as operating expenses remain elevated.
Despite the recent closures, Five Guys does not appear to be scaling back nationwide. The privately held company continues to operate more than 1,500 restaurants in the United States and has opened new locations in several states this year, suggesting the closures are targeted decisions rather than part of a broader retreat.
No brand is immune
While Five Guys is still financially stable, there is a broader reality facing the restaurant industry: even nationally recognized brands are not immune to financial pressure. Over the past two years, several once-popular chains and major franchise operators have sought bankruptcy protection or undergone significant restructuring, including Red Lobster, TGI Fridays, Buca di Beppo, Rubio’s Coastal Grill, and On the Border.
While bankruptcy does not always mean a company will cease operations, these filings often lead to restaurant closures, layoffs and efforts to reduce debt as operators grapple with higher labor costs, elevated food prices and changing consumer spending habits. The trend highlights the increasingly difficult environment facing restaurants of all sizes, even those with strong brand recognition and loyal customer bases.
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