Texas-based gastropub chain Bar Louie has closed two of its locations in Metro Detroit, in the US state of Michigan.
The affected sites are located in Livonia at Laurel Park Place, and in Auburn Hills at Great Lakes Crossing.
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The two restaurants were abruptly closed and staff laid off at short notice, as reported by Detroit Free Press.
The closures reduce the presence of Bar Louie in Michigan to just two locations: in Clinton Township, at the mall at Partridge Creek, and in Royal Oak.
According to an internal memo, the company stated: “The decision to close this location is in no way a reflection of you, this team, the management of this location or the potential of the Bar Louie brand. Making the decision to close a location is never easy, but focusing our resources on our higher-performing locations was the responsible approach.”
According to the memo, the closures were based on location performance, as reported by WXYZ-TV.
These developments have taken both staff and patrons by surprise, with one employee reportedly finding a closure notice upon arrival for work at the Auburn Hills location.
Bar Louie, known for its craft burgers, salads, bar bites, appetisers and main dishes, was founded in 2009.
The chain operates across 19 US states, and its website emphasises that no two Bar Louie venues look the same.
This is not the first time Bar Louie has had to make tough decisions regarding its operations.
In January 2020, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and shut down more than 30 underperforming locations.
