Ryan’s restaurants closing in Macon, Warner Robins

Buffets Inc., the company that owns Ryan’s restaurant, is closing its Macon and Warner Robins restaurants, a manager said Thursday. The Macon restaurant is at 690 Presidential Parkway, and the one in Warner Robins is at 1992 Watson Blvd.

The Minnesota-based parent company filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy Wednesday and announced a restructuring in which it will close 81 underperforming restaurants, representing about 16 percent of its nearly 500 restaurants nationally, according to a news release on businesswire.com.

A manager at the Macon restaurant said both restaurants officially will be closed as of 8 a.m. Friday. The manager said the Macon location employs about 50 people.

Employees were being notified about the closures throughout the day Thursday.

“The decision to close these underperforming restaurants, though difficult, resulted from a comprehensive, store-by-store analysis of financial performance, occupancy costs, market conditions and the long-term strategy of our reorganized restaurant portfolio,” said Mike Andrews, Buffets Inc. CEO, in a news release.

“The important step we’re taking today is the culmination of the strategic alternatives review that our Board of Directors initiated in May 2011,” Andrews stated. “Today’s announcement marks the beginning of a new era for Buffets and our many dedicated employees, as well as for our loyal guests and new customers who will enjoy our high quality food, friendly hospitality and unbeatable value through a consistently improving dining experience.”

In addition to the immediate restaurant closings, Buffets is seeking more favorable lease arrangements with its landlords at other restaurant locations, the news release stated.

Buffets Inc. restaurant chains also include Old Country Buffet, HomeTown Buffet and Fire Mountain.

This story was originally published January 20, 2012 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Ryan’s restaurants closing in Macon, Warner Robins."