KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) – Several O’Charley’s restaurant locations across Tennessee are shutting down, including one longtime Knoxville location, as the restaurant chain undergoes an apparent wave of closures.
According to reports from WVLT’s sister station WSMV, multiple O’Charley’s restaurants in Middle Tennessee informed customers and employees that they would close at 8 p.m. Wednesday.
In Knoxville, the O’Charley’s restaurant on Kingston Pike has already closed. A sign posted on the door thanked customers for their years of support and confirmed the location was no longer operating.
“Thank you for your business and support over the years,” the notice stated. “We will miss serving you.”
At this time, it remains unclear how many Tennessee locations are affected or what prompted the closures.
O’Charley’s has deep roots in Tennessee. The casual dining chain was founded in Nashville in 1971, opening its first restaurant on 21st Avenue near Vanderbilt University. Over the decades, the brand expanded across Tennessee and throughout the Southeast, becoming known for its American-style menu and family dining atmosphere.
The abrupt nature of the closures has left many customers seeking answers. Company officials have not publicly announced a reason for the shutdowns, and it is unclear whether additional Tennessee locations could be impacted.
Employees and customers at affected restaurants have been left to navigate the uncertainty as the closures unfold.
More information is expected as company representatives provide details about the future of remaining O’Charley’s locations.
