Moe’s Southwest Grill on Brannen Street in Statesboro has unexpectedly closed, adding to a growing list of shutdowns for the brand in 2024. Local employees, who received no advance notice, informed Grice Connect they were notified by text message that the restaurant would be closing effective immediately. Following this sudden notification, all furnishings were removed from the premises, and the familiar Moe’s sign was quickly taken down, leaving the building vacant.
This closure is not isolated; Moe’s Southwest Grill has been experiencing a wave of shutdowns across the United States in 2024, marking a larger trend of declining store numbers. The popular Tex-Mex chain has been reducing its locations for several years, shrinking from 726 restaurants in 2019 to only 617 nationwide as of spring 2024, a drop of 109 stores. Closures have recently been reported in places like Albany, Georgia, Montgomery Village, Maryland, and Tucker, Georgia.
Several underlying factors are contributing to the closures, including declining sales, with Moe’s trailing behind competitors like Chipotle and Surcheros. Franchisees and corporate-run locations alike are facing challenges with operational costs that often exceed sales, and a rise in customer complaints regarding food quality and order accuracy has further complicated Moe’s efforts to retain a strong market presence. Additionally, the brand’s attempts to implement drive-thru services at some locations have reportedly introduced inefficiencies in their assembly-line service model, adding to operational strains.
For Statesboro the closure leaves a gap in the local dining landscape, and with no additional information provided by corporate representatives or the landlord, the community is left speculating on what might have led to the abrupt end. Grice Connect has reached out for more details on the closure and will provide updates if any new information becomes available.