WASHINGTON — Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc., which began experimenting with smaller, fast food locations called Red Robin Burger Works five years ago, is closing most of the prototype stores, including its two locations in the District.
Red Robin opened its first D.C. Burger Works location at L’Enfant Plaza in 2014. It opened a second Burger Works location, at 1028 19th St. in Northwest, last year.
The D.C. locations were among only a handful of the prototype, limited-menu Red Robin Burger Works locations.
Red Robin closed a total of nine of its 12 Red Robin Burger Works locations on Sept. 30. In addition to the D.C. locations, it included five in Chicago, one in Fort Collins, Colorado and one in Boulder Colorado. Two locations in Denver and one in Clackamas, Oregon, remain open and will be rebranded Red Robin Express.
“The restaurant industry remains intensely competitive both in casual dining … and in the fast casual burger segment,” said Chief Executive Officer Denny Marie Post.
“We’ve gained considerable knowledge since opening the first of our smaller, fast casual locations in 2011. We are now conducting a strategic review of how this alternative platform can better support our brand as a whole and best serve our guests.”
Red Robin says it will continue to explore smaller stores for carryout and delivery.
Red Robin opened its first restaurant in Seattle in 1969. It has more than 540 fast casual restaurants now, including a half dozen locations in Northern Virginia.
The company had $7.6 million in second quarter revenue, down from $11.2 million in the same quarter a year ago. Comparable second quarter restaurant revenue decreased 3.2 percent.
