Applebee’s closes last 2 locations in Tempe, down to just 5 in E.V.

Applebee’s, which once had close to 20 locations in the East Valley, has closed its last two in Tempe, leaving just five remaining in the East Valley.

The Tempe closures were on the southeast corner of Rural and Broadway and, most recently, on the southwest corner of Priest and Elliot.

That leaves four Applebee’s in Mesa and one in Gilbert.

Applebee’s has struggled to attract Millenial diners, a problem also plaguing other casual dining chains like Ruby Tuesday and TGI Fridays.

After years of slumping sales, Applebee’s shuttered 99 locations in 2017 and nearly that many in 2018.

RMH Franchise Holdings – which owned more than 160 Applebee’s in 15 states, including 22 in Arizona – filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy last May.

The closures have helped Applebee’s bottom line. U.S. same-store sales were up 5.5% in the first nine months of 2018.