- 26 Burger King locations are closing in Michigan by April 15, predominantly in the Detroit area.
- Burger King franchisee EYM King of Michigan said it failed to reach a deal with the fast-food giant.
Burger King franchisee EYM King of Michigan is closing all 26 locations in the state, citing a failure to come to terms with the fast-food chain on a new deal.
The Texas-based franchisee called its ceasing of operations an "unforeseen business circumstance" in a WARN notice filed with Michigan's Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.
As part of the store closures, 424 employees will lose their jobs, including general managers, and shift managers.
EYM began shuttering Burger King locations on March 17 and expects to shutter all locations by the middle of April. Most of the Burger King store closures will impact the Detroit area.
A sign at a now-closed location at 34835 Plymouth Road in Livonia, Michigan, says, "This locations staff will miss the customer relationships we have established, it was a pleasure serving you." Another franchisee may take over the Burger King location in the future, EYM said.
The news of over two dozen Burger King locations closing in Michigan comes as the chain, owned by Restaurant Brands International, undergoes a brand reset in the US. In September, the company announced it will invest $400 million over the next two years to supercharge Burger King's US growth and cement the chain's position as a premium fast-food restaurant. Burger King's top 800 restaurants will also be remodeled under the new plan.
RBI said on an earnings call with analysts last month that it invested $30 million of the allocated funds towards the turnaround plan in the fourth quarter. The parent company also named a new CEO of Burger King in Joshua Kobza, formerly the chain's COO.
Here's a list of the stores closing:
Dearborn Heights:
- 20401 West Warren Ave.
Detroit:
- 17440 East Warren Ave.
- 20200 Grand River Ave.
- 2155 Gratiot Ave.
- 9239 Gratiot Ave.
- 18021 Kelly Road
- 16245 Livernois Ave.
- 9871 Livernois
- 12661 Mack Ave.
- 20240 Plymouth Road
- 13600 West McNichols Road
- 15500 West 7 Mile Road
- 8201 Woodward Ave.
Ecorse:
- 3863 West Jefferson Ave.
Ferndale:
- 10336 West 8 Mile Road
Flint:
- 3801 Clio Road
- 3625 South Dort Highway
Highland Park:
- 13324 Woodward Ave.
Livonia:
- 28203 Plymouth Road
- 34835 Plymouth Road
Royal Oak:
- 31456 Woodward Ave.
Southfield:
- 30711 Southfield Road
- 23660 Telegraph Road
Walled Lake:
- 1113 E. West Maple Road
Warren:
- 2411 East 8 Mile Road
Whitmore Lake:
- 9774 East M-36