by Massachusetts — Two well-known casual dining chains are closing additional locations across the Bay State, continuing a broader trend of contraction in the full-service restaurant industry.
Not Your Average Joe’s Closing Norwell Location
Not Your Average Joe’s will close its Norwell restaurant on Saturday. The decision comes less than two weeks after the brand shuttered its Watertown Square location, which had operated for 27 years.
“Our leases are up and we have decided to not renew,” regional director of operations Sara Murtagh said. “We are very sad to leave after all these years.”
Founded in Dartmouth in 1994, the Massachusetts-based chain still maintains locations in:
- Acton
- Bedford
- Hyannis
- Waltham
- Westwood
The company has not announced additional closures beyond Norwell and Watertown but acknowledged the decisions were tied to lease expirations.
Uno Pizzeria Closing Attleboro After 20 Years
Meanwhile, Uno Pizzeria & Grill will close its Attleboro location on Sunday after two decades in business.
In a Facebook post, the restaurant thanked the community:
“We want to extend a massive thank you to everyone who has made this restaurant feel like home for over two decades. It’s been an unforgettable run!”
The Attleboro closure follows several others last month in Dedham, Braintree and Revere.
After Sunday, the only remaining Uno locations in Massachusetts will be:
- Bellingham
- Sturbridge
- Worcester
- Springfield (Basketball Hall of Fame)
Casual Dining Facing Industry Pressure
The closures reflect ongoing challenges facing traditional sit-down restaurant chains.
Boston Business Journal reporter Grant Welker previously noted that brands like Uno are navigating significant economic pressure.
“There’s a lot more competition for dining dollars,” Welker said. “Fast casual is taking a lot of that. It’s places like Chipotle that are really growing, and people like the quick aspect of it.”
Other regional chains such as Ninety Nine Restaurant & Pub and Bertucci’s have also closed multiple Massachusetts locations in recent years.
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Industry analysts point to several factors contributing to the shift, including:
- Rising operating and labor costs
- Increased competition from fast-casual brands
- Changing consumer preferences
- Higher commercial rent and lease renewals
While some chains continue adapting with smaller footprints or updated menus, the casual dining landscape in Massachusetts appears to be shrinking.
Have you noticed more restaurant closures in your area? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.
