Ohio diners have one fewer taco chain to choose from after a popular Tex-Mex chain shut down its last remaining Columbus-area restaurants. The closures are part of a broader pullback by the Texas-based fast-casual brand as it trims underperforming markets and refocuses growth plans.
Final Columbus restaurants close in February
Torchy’s Tacos permanently closed its Dublin and New Albany locations on February 3, ending the chain’s presence in the Columbus market. The company said it made the decision after reviewing performance across its portfolio and determining the stores no longer aligned with long-term plans.
The February closures followed an earlier Columbus-area shutdown in August 2025, meaning the company exited Central Ohio after closing three local restaurants in less than a year.
Only one Ohio location remains
With the Columbus closures complete, Torchy’s now has just one Ohio restaurant left, located in Liberty Township near Cincinnati. That leaves Southwest Ohio as the brand’s lone remaining foothold in the state.
For customers in Central Ohio, the move marks the end of a relatively brief run for the chain, which had expanded into the region during a period of aggressive multi-state growth.
Part of a larger nationwide reset
Ohio was not the only state affected. Torchy’s also closed restaurants in Florida, Arizona, Georgia, and Texas during the same early-2026 reduction plan. Company leadership said the goal is to focus more intentionally on higher-performing markets and improve the guest experience.
Despite the closures, the company continues to grow selectively elsewhere. Reports noted Torchy’s was still opening a new Indiana location in February (the same time as the two Ohio locations were closed).
Why chains are pulling back
Many restaurant brands are reassessing expansion strategies as labor costs, food inflation, and softer discretionary spending pressure margins. Instead of keeping every location open, chains are increasingly concentrating resources on stores with stronger traffic and better long-term potential.
What it means for Ohio diners
For Ohio customers, Torchy’s retreat is another example of how quickly restaurant footprints can change. While one location remains near Cincinnati, Columbus diners have now lost the chain entirely.
Links on this page may be affiliate links, for which the site earns a small commission, but the price for you is the same
Leave a Comment