If you’re craving some of your favorite American and Gainesville chains, you might want to check this list of places that have closed this year first, before you show up and leave with an empty stomach.  

Once you’ve mourned the restaurant losses, try out one of these six new places that have opened in Alachua County. 

If you’re craving some of your favorite American and Gainesville chains, you might want to check this list of places that have closed this year first, before you show up and leave with an empty stomach.  

Once you’ve mourned the restaurant losses, try out one of these six new places that have opened in Alachua County. 

Applebee’s Bar and Grill (7441 W Newberry Rd.) 

After opening in 2015, the neighborhood bar and grill chain officially closed its doors this year. A sign posted on the location’s door reads, “Thank you for your many years of business!” and invites customers to attend Gainesville’s other Applebee’s location at 1005 NW 13th St. 

Bahama Breeze Island Grille (3989 Plaza Blvd.) 

Last month, the seafood chain closed its Gainesville location after almost eight years of service. Bahama Breeze is owned by Darden Restaurants, which also owns Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse. Darden cut 15 Bahama Breeze locations across the country last year. 

Ichiban Sushi (4928 NW 39th Ave.) 

After over 25 years serving Gainesville with Japanese, Pacific Rim and Chinese cuisine, the restaurant permanently closed this year. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Division of Hotels and Restaurants, temporarily shut down the restaurant in December 2024, after a slew of inspection violations and failures went unaddressed. The building is set to be the future home of Sohao Cafe’s second location. 

Subway (1805 SW 13th St.) 

Even though the closure is one of more than 631 others executed by the chain last year, Subway is still the largest chain in the U.S. and the third largest worldwide behind McDonald’s and Starbucks, according to Scripps News. Subway added 10,000 locations in the last three years. Nearly 20 Subway locations currently run in Alachua County.  

TGI Friday’s (3075 Clark Butler Blvd.) 

The restaurant chain closed its Butler Plaza location after almost eight years in the community. According to CNN, TGI Friday’s parent company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last year and has been gradually closing more locations. As of April, the chain has 85 restaurants left in the U.S., compared to around 600 in 2008. 

Wahoo Seafood Grill (3833 NW 97th Blvd.) 

On May 27, the seafood restaurant that opened in 2015 announced its closure on Facebook. “After many wonderful years serving the Gainesville community, Wahoo Seafood Grill has made the difficult decision to close this location,” the post stated. “We want to extend our deepest gratitude to our loyal customers for your support, your smiles, and the memories we’ve shared.” In case you really need a Wahoo fix, the restaurant still runs a location at 2714 Graves Road in Tallahassee.