SOUTH CAROLINA - As the Palmetto State enters March 2026, the local dining scene is feeling the ripples of a massive national "right-sizing." While South Carolina’s tourism hubs like Charleston and Myrtle Beach remain busy, high-profile national chains are trimming their "legacy" footprints to combat rising labor costs and a shift toward digital-only service.
If you’re planning a family dinner or a quick stop on your way to the coast, you may find some familiar signs have come down. Here are the major restaurant chains closing doors in South Carolina this March.
1. Bahama Breeze: A Final Sunset in Charleston
The most notable change for South Carolina diners involves Bahama Breeze. Parent company Darden Restaurants (which also owns Olive Garden) announced in February that it is shuttering or rebranding all of its remaining 28 locations nationwide.
- The Change: The Charleston location is part of a 14-store group slated for conversion into another Darden brand, such as LongHorn Steakhouse or Olive Garden, over the next 12 to 18 months.
- The March Impact: While the building isn't being demolished, the Caribbean-themed concept is winding down its "island vibe" operations this month to prepare for the transition. Fans of their tropical cocktails and jerk chicken should visit soon before the menu changes permanently.
2. Denny’s: Closing the 24/7 Chapter
Following its transition to private ownership in early 2026, Denny’s—which is famously headquartered in Spartanburg, SC—is finishing a "surgical" reduction of its nationwide footprint.
- The Strategy: The brand is closing approximately 150 underperforming diners through the end of 2026.
- The Local Connection: Even in its home state, several "legacy" buildings are under review. Locations that can no longer sustain 24-hour service or those that are "too old to remodel" are the primary targets for closure this month as the brand attempts to return to growth.
3. Pizza Hut: The "Hut Forward" Pivot
South Carolina is one of the states being impacted by Pizza Hut’s massive national restructuring. Parent company Yum! Brands is in the process of closing approximately 250 locations in the first half of 2026.
- The Reason: The brand is moving away from the large, traditional "red roof" dine-in experience to focus on smaller, delivery-centric "Delco" units.
- What to Watch: Older standalone buildings in suburban areas—particularly those that haven't seen a remodel in over a decade—are slated for closure this month as their leases expire.
4. Wendy’s: Modernizing the Drive-Thru
Even the burger giants are tightening their belts. Wendy’s is moving forward with a plan to close up to 300 "outdated" restaurants globally by the end of 2026.
- The Goal: The brand is culling units that generate lower-than-average sales and lack the infrastructure for "Global Next Gen" features, such as dedicated mobile-order drive-thru lanes.
- South Carolina Outlook: Expect to see older units in high-traffic corridors go dark this month as the company moves toward more tech-integrated sites that can better handle the state's high volume of delivery app orders.
Why is South Carolina Seeing This Shift?
Industry analysts point to a "perfect storm" affecting the South Carolina market:
- The "Value Gap": With the cost of dining out rising, many South Carolinians are opting for either high-quality local independent restaurants or "grocerant" options (prepared meals from stores like Publix or Harris Teeter).
- Labor and Logistics: South Carolina's competitive hospitality labor market, especially in coastal regions, has made it increasingly expensive to staff "legacy" models, leading corporate offices to favor tech-heavy kiosks.
- Rapid Development: As new, high-tech commercial plazas open in growing areas like Greenville and Fort Mill, older chain buildings are finding it harder to compete for visibility.
Tip for Diners: Before heading out, check your favorite brand's loyalty app. If a location is removed from the "Order Now" map, it's a strong sign the physical doors will be closing within the week.
