Carlos O’Kelly’s restaurants in Illinois, Iowa and several other states have closed.
Wichita-based Sasnak Management owns and operates the chain, and the company employs more than 4,500 people in nearly a dozen states. In addition to operating Carlos O’Kelly’s for 33 years in six states, Sasnak owns some Applebee’s franchises in Iowa, Illinois and five other states.
The company closed 17 locations in March 2014, reportedly leaving 22 locations – including four in Wichita – open. The closures were made “in order to reposition the company,” according to the Wichita Eagle.
Illinois locations in Moline, Peoria, Bloomington and Decatur were among the restaurants that would close.
Iowa locations closed in West Des Moines, Des Moines and Ames. That left seven other Iowa locations open, including those in Waterloo, Iowa City, Dubuque, Cedar Rapids, Mason City and Cedar Falls.
Two locations in Ft. Wayne, Indiana closed; the St. Joseph, Missouri location closed and restaurants in Lawrence and Hays, Kansas also closed.
Company spokesman Dave Phillips said customers could redeem gift cards at other Carlos O’Kelly’s restaurants or call (316) 978-9509 for a refund.
Employees that had worked for Carlos O’Kelly’s for at least one year were expected to receive severance packages. Some employees would be relocated to positions in the company’s Applebee’s locations.
Carlos O’Kelly’s closed their Davenport location in March 2011.
