Video showing morning crowds as Amarillo Long John Silver’s reopens
Crowds lined up early for Long John Silver’s, Amarillo’s first in more than six years.
Despite some setbacks, Long John Silvers may be heading in the right direction.
The seafood chain’s portfolio has shrunk from more than 1,000 units in 2015 to fewer than 500 units now, according to reports from data firm Datassential and news outlet SeafoodSource.
Recent closures included a store at Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn., owned by franchisee Uplift Foods LLC. The franchisee filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Minnesota U.S. Bankruptcy Court in May, according to court documents reviewed by USA TODAY.
Back in 1998, Long John Silvers filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Delaware, citing $457.3 million in debt and $329.1 million in assets, according to the Tampa Bay Times and online court records.
When USA TODAY asked Long John Silver’s about recent reports about restaurant declines, chief marketing officer Laura Ellis said the change occurred after a new company acquired Long John Silver’s in 2022. In November of the same year, Franchise Times reported that four Oaks Partners companies acquired Long John Silver’s from LJS Partners.
Long John Silvers’ Mr. Ellis added that the company’s sales are improving. The company currently has 477 locations. Of those stores, 214 are company-operated and 262 are franchised, she said.
Here’s what we know about the changes at Long John Silver’s and the company’s financial health.
Why did Long John Silver’s close some restaurants?
Following the ownership change in 2022, the company has “strategically optimized its restaurant portfolio,” Long John Silvers’ Ellis said in a statement to USA TODAY on Friday, June 26.
Approximately 110 stores have been closed due to company reorganization. Of those 110 closures, 70 to 75 were due to brands ending partnerships and closing joint stores shared with Taco Bell, KFC, and A&W.
“There have been several additional temporary closures for renovations and other operational reasons,” Ellis said. “Approximately 24 Long John Silver independent restaurants have closed as part of routine portfolio optimization, including lease expirations, relocations and trade area changes.”
Ellis said the company has renovated more than 115 restaurants and plans to open more restaurants in the future, including 25 in development around the country.
The company declined to say when the 25 restaurants would open, but said more details would be released closer to the opening date.
Despite closures, chain builds ‘positive momentum’
Asked if there will be more closures, Ellis said Long John Silver’s is evaluating its restaurant portfolio. The company’s focus as of June 2026 is to modernize existing restaurants, support franchisees, and expand by opening more restaurants.
Reports that the company has been closing stores every year for the past decade are “only part of the picture,” Ellis said.
Long John Silver’s has had 16 consecutive quarters of sales growth among stores open at least a year, Ellis said. System-wide internal sales also increased from $400 million in 2022 to nearly $430 million in 2025.
“Under the current ownership, the business continues to build positive momentum,” Mr Ellis said.
Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY’s Trends team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia (757). Email sdmartin@usatoday.com.
