FLORIDA - While Florida’s population continues to swell with new residents, the state’s dining industry is facing a massive structural "reset" this March. From the theme park corridors of Orlando to the beachside retail strips of the Gold Coast, rising commercial insurance rates and a shift toward delivery-only service are forcing even the biggest names in food to scale back.
Here are the four major restaurant chains significantly reducing their Florida footprint this March 2026.
1. Hooters: The Boca Raton "Viral" Shuttering
In a move that has shocked local fans and Instagram followers alike, the iconic Boca Raton Hooters in Glades Plaza is scheduled to close its doors for the final time on February 28, 2026, with the official wind-down of the site continuing through March.
- The Reason: Unlike many closures driven by poor sales, this high-performing location is being forced out due to a redevelopment of the shopping center into a mixed-use space. The landlord, Sterling Organization, declined to renew the lease, signaling a broader Florida trend where older "pad sites" are being replaced by luxury condos.
- The Fallout: Despite having over 137,000 Instagram followers, the "dancing Hooters Girls" of Boca Raton are currently looking for new locations as the brand continues its broader bankruptcy-driven reorganization across the state.
2. Pizza Hut: Saying Goodbye to the "Red Roof"
As part of parent company Yum! Brands’ massive "Hut Forward" initiative, approximately 250 underperforming locations are being shuttered nationwide this spring. Florida’s legacy "Red Roof" buildings—once the go-to for Friday night buffets—are high on the list for March closures.
- The Targets: The brand is aggressively moving away from its large-format buildings in favor of tiny, delivery-only storefronts. In Florida, where cooling a 3,000-square-foot dining room is a major expense, the math no longer works for a brand that sees 90% of its orders via an app.
- The Shift: Older locations in mid-sized hubs like Tallahassee and Jacksonville are the primary targets for this "surgical" reduction as the company looks to modernize its fleet.
3. Wendy’s: Trimming the "System Health"
Following a strategic review of its thousands of U.S. locations, Wendy’s is in the process of closing up to 350 underperforming restaurants through 2026. This March marks a significant wave of these closures hitting the Sunshine State.
- The Impact: While Wendy’s remains a fast-food powerhouse in Florida, older units that haven't been updated with "Global Flagship" designs are at risk. Units in older retail corridors that have struggled to keep up with the traffic of newer, modernized drive-thrus are the most vulnerable.
- The Strategy: Interim CEO Ken Cook stated that the closures are designed to "strengthen the system" by removing low-volume sites. In Florida's crowded market, the company is prioritizing newer, tech-heavy locations in high-growth suburbs like Lakewood Ranch and Lake Nona.
4. Denny’s: Finalizing the 150-Store Purge
Following a major buyout by private investors, Denny’s is completing its nationwide reduction of underperforming sites. While some South Florida spots have already vanished, the final casualties of this "methodical" purge are being processed this March.
- The 24/7 Crisis: In Florida, the challenge of staffing 24-hour diners has reached a breaking point. With a highly competitive labor market and rising utility costs, many franchisees are finding it impossible to keep the lights on through the overnight shift.
- The "Value Gap": The new owners are prioritizing "net positive growth." For legacy sites burdened by aging infrastructure, March lease renewals are resulting in permanent shutdowns rather than costly renovations.
The Florida "Insurance Squeeze"
Why are these closures peaking in Florida right now?
- Skyrocketing Insurance: Commercial property insurance in Florida has seen double-digit increases over the last 24 months. For national chains operating on thin margins, these fixed costs are becoming a deal-breaker.
- Redevelopment Hunger: Florida’s real estate market is so hot that the land underneath an old Pizza Hut or Wendy's is often worth more than the business itself. Developers are aggressively buying up these "prime pads" for high-density housing.
- The Delivery Dominance: Florida has one of the highest rates of third-party delivery usage in the country. For chains with massive, empty dining rooms, paying for square footage that customers no longer use is an overhead burden that corporate offices are no longer willing to carry.
