It’s increasingly common to hear about restaurant closings, but the news is often hardest when an established restaurant closes. These restaurants are more than just places to eat; many have become an important part of their communities, tied to years of memories and local traditions.
Even long-established chains are not immune to this troubling trend. In recent years, due to rising costs and increasing debt, several major catering brands have gone bankrupt on a large scale, and some have even filed for bankruptcy.
Founded in 1972, Houlihan’s is a casual American restaurant and bar chain that was once nationally renowned. The brand currently has 22 stores nationwide, according to its website.
While that number is still impressive, Houlihan’s has closed several restaurants over the past few years, significantly shrinking its footprint in several states.
At least five Houlihan stores have closed in recent months. Despite the wave of closures, parent company Landry’s, Inc. has yet to make a public statement about the closures; instead, operators have chosen to post paper notices at restaurant entrances.
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Noblesville, Indiana: Closed on January 1, 2026 (source:current publication)
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Hershey, Pennsylvania: Closed on December 31, 2025 (source:abc27)
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Garland, Texas: Closed on August 24, 2025 (source:cultural map)
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Long Island, New York: Closed on January 1, 2026 (source:Great Long Island)
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Upper Arlington, Ohio: Closed on January 1, 2026 (source:614 now)
Houlihan’s has closed several restaurants in multiple states.Shutterstock” loading=”eager” height=”540″ width=”960″ class=”yf-lglytj loader”/>Houlihan’s financial challenges date back several years. In 2019, the brand’s then-parent company, HRI Holding Corp., filed for bankruptcy in the District of Delaware Bankruptcy Court under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, with assets and liabilities ranging from $50 million to $100 million, as stated in the filing.
The company cited an expiring loan and “unsustainably high occupancy costs” at many locations as the main causes of its debt. The purpose of the bankruptcy filing was to facilitate a sale that resulted in an agreement with Landry’s, Inc. to purchase the assets for $40 million in cash.
More restaurant closures:
At that time, HRI operated 47 restaurants in 14 states, including 34 Houlihan restaurants. However, the bankruptcy filing does not include the other 21 Houlihan’s franchise restaurants.
