Five Guys has suddenly closed one of its restaurants, and locals aren't shocked by the news.
The fast-food chain's location in New Milford, Connecticut, permanently closed on June 9.
Five Guys' corporate office has not announced the closure of its New Milford location. However, NewsTimes reports that a sign on the door confirms that the business has "permanently closed."
Five Guys Closure Raises Questions
The sign also invites customers to visit their other branch at 106 Federal Road in Brookfield, Connecticut, providing a contact number for convenience and apologizing for any inconvenience caused.
The exact reason for the closure remains unclear. Steve Dudziec, a leasing representative for Regency Centers, which manages the New Milford Plaza, suggested that the closure might be due to underperforming sales. He believes that the sales at this location likely did not meet expectations.
According to CT Insider, Five Guys opened its doors at 164 Danbury Road in June 2017. This location was the first in Litchfield County for the burger chain.
Situated on the edge of the New Milford Plaza near the Stop & Shop fuel station, the restaurant was part of a commercial area that includes other tenants like Stop & Shop, Dollar Tree, Walmart, T-Mobile, New Milford Wine & Spirits, Nutmeg Games, and Kumo Sushi Lounge.
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Dudziec revealed that he learned about the impending closure of the Five Guys in New Milford just a few days ago and has been trying to understand why. He mentioned that he was not forewarned about the closure and has not had a chance to discuss it directly with Five Guys.
Larissa Galeano, a longtime employee of over two years at the Five Guys New Milford location, spoke highly of the restaurant's atmosphere, noting its family-friendly environment. She recalled regularly seeing large family gatherings and groups of friends enjoying their time at the restaurant.
Galeano also worked at Five Guys locations in Newtown and Westport and confirmed she would continue her employment there following the closure of the New Milford branch.
Speculations Surround Five Guys New Milford Closure
Five Guys, with over a dozen locations throughout the state, still welcomes customers at its other restaurants despite the closure of its New Milford site. The U.S. Sun stated that the shutdown remains unclear, but many locals believe financial issues were a likely factor.
Discussions in a local Facebook group revealed that the closure news was not entirely unexpected. Community members shared their thoughts, with many pointing to the restaurant's pricing as a deterrent.
Comments ranged from observations about the lack of patrons-"Hardly anyone ever in there"-to statements about the value, with one person noting, "We love the food, but it's too pricey for regular visits."
Others suggested that more reasonable prices might have helped the business thrive, with one remarking, "You can have a sit-down dinner for the price of their fast food."
The restaurant's location also contributed to its challenges, as it was reportedly easy to miss. The consensus among locals, especially after discussions with someone familiar with the situation, indicates that concerns over sales were well-founded.
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