Genghis Grill, a well-known Mongolian-style stir fry restaurant chain, has abruptly closed two locations, surprising many regular customers.
These restaurants, part of a chain that spans 11 states, were frequently busy with diners. The sudden closures have left the community wondering what led to this decision.
Surprising Closures Hit Charlotte Locations
According to The U.S. Sun, two Genghis Grill restaurants in Charlotte, North Carolina, have recently shut their doors unexpectedly, catching regular patrons off guard.
Dasia Williams, a journalist with the Charlotte Observer, discovered the closure firsthand when she visited the Community House Road location last Friday, intending to dine there. She found the restaurant closed, with its signage already removed.
The closures include another Genghis Grill inside the Charlotte airport, adding to several shutdowns across several states.
The chain, which operates in 11 states, including Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia, has seen several locations close since the beginning of the previous year.
Significant closures include a Kansas City, Missouri, location that closed in August due to a staffing shortage after operating for over 28 years. In September, another closure followed in North Macon, Georgia, after more than eight years of service.
Additionally, a Texas location closed down in October due to rental arrears, and a fourth restaurant ceased operations in December in Peoria, Illinois.
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Mixed Reactions to Restaurant's Closure
Residents have taken to Reddit to express their surprise over the recent closures of the Genghis Grill restaurant, particularly the one in the Ballantyne area of Charlotte, which was popular and always appeared to be bustling.
One diner shared an experience, revealing that during their last visit, an employee mentioned the restaurant struggled to maintain enough staff to continue operations. Another diner recalled a visit about a year ago during a busy Saturday lunch hour when only one server was tasked with hosting and serving all the tables, highlighting the restaurant's staffing issues.
Following these closures, only one Genghis Grill location remains open in North Carolina, located in the Winston-Salem area.
Meanwhile, KDHNews reported the recent closure in April when Genghis Grill had yet to confirm the permanent closure of the Harker Heights location.
The recent report on the closure of a popular restaurant has sparked a wide range of reactions from both critics and longtime customers. Many commenters have voiced dissatisfaction with the restaurant, noting a decline in quality over the years.
Megan Evans expressed relief at the closure, indicating her last visit was underwhelming. Chris Davis shared a similar sentiment, noting that he stopped patronizing the restaurant after a price increase, opting for a local family-run eatery that he found much superior.
However, not all feedback was negative. Loyal patrons like Michael Willingham expressed sadness over the closure, reminiscing about times when the restaurant had favorable pricing and effective management, particularly before the pandemic.
Michelle Spadaro also lamented the closure, highlighting her enjoyment of the restaurant's interactive and customizable dining experience.
In recent months, several restaurant chains have been experiencing a wave of closures nationwide. Red Lobster, one of the well-known seafood chains, has filed for bankruptcy and announced numerous closures as part of its restructuring process.
According to the company's recent bankruptcy filings, nearly 100 Red Lobster locations were closed in May. This significant outlet reduction is part of the chain's efforts to stabilize its operations amid financial challenges.
Related Article: Red Lobster Confirms Some Locations to Stay Open Amidst Bankruptcy-Driven Closures
