4 Major Restaurant Chains Closing It's Doors in Delaware: This March 2026

If you are planning your March dinner out, you might find a few familiar spots have permanently turned off the grills. Here are the major restaurant chains closing doors in Delaware this March.

1. Bahama Breeze: A Sudden Departure in Newark

The biggest blow to Delaware’s casual dining scene this month involves Bahama Breeze. Parent company Darden Restaurants recently completed a strategic review and determined that the Caribbean-themed brand is no longer a core priority.

• The Closure: The Newark location (near the Christiana Mall) is scheduled to permanently close by April 5, 2026, with operations winding down throughout March.
• The Transition: Nationwide, Darden is closing 14 locations permanently and converting the remaining 14 into brands such as Olive Garden or LongHorn Steakhouse. For Newark residents, this marks the end of a long-standing tropical-themed favorite in the area.

2. Pizza Hut: Retiring the "Red Roofs"

Delaware is being swept up in Pizza Hut’s massive "Hut Forward" initiative, which involves shuttering roughly 250 underperforming locations across the U.S. during the first half of 2026.

• The Strategy: The brand is moving away from the large, traditional dine-in buildings to focus on smaller, delivery-centric "Delco" units.
• Delaware Impact: While a specific list of addresses has not been published, industry data suggests that older "legacy" dine-in units—particularly those in suburban New Castle County—are the primary targets for closure this month as their leases expire.

3. Denny’s: Closing the 24/7 Chapter

Following its sale to a private equity group in late 2025, Denny’s is finishing a "surgical" reduction of its footprint, closing approximately 150 locations through early 2026.

• The Targets: Locations that can no longer sustain 24-hour service or those housed in "outdated" buildings that are too costly to renovate.
• What to Watch: In a state with a strong diner culture like Delaware, the national chain has struggled to compete with local favorites. Any remaining locations that have already cut their late-night hours are considered at high risk for a March closure.

4. Wendy’s: Out with the Old

Even the most successful fast-food giants are tightening their belts. Wendy’s is moving forward with a plan to close up to 300 "outdated" restaurants globally through the end of 2026.

• The Reason: The company is focusing on "Global Next Gen" restaurants that feature high-tech kitchens and dedicated delivery windows.
• Local Outlook: This affects older, high-volume units in Delaware that lack the modern infrastructure needed for today’s app-based delivery services. Several older highway-adjacent locations are expected to go dark this month as the brand shifts toward newer, more efficient builds.

Why Delaware is Seeing These Closures

Local industry experts point to a few key reasons why these national brands are scaling back in the First State:

1. The "Christiana Corridor" Evolution: As new, high-tech retail developments open, older "legacy" chain buildings are struggling to justify their high rents.
2. Rising Operational Costs: Despite Delaware's lack of sales tax, the state's competitive labor market and rising utility costs for large, older buildings have squeezed the profit margins for national franchises.
3. Shift to "Local and Craft": Delaware diners are increasingly favoring locally born concepts (such as the growth of Iron Hill and local seaside bistros) over traditional, mid-tier national chains.

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Tip for Diners: If you frequent these chains, check their rewards apps. Often, a location will be removed from the "Order Now" map a few days before the physical doors officially close.

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