Fairview Heights Bob Evans restaurant won’t be one of 27 closing

Bob Evans Farms, Inc. announced Monday that 27 Bob Evans Restaurants will be closing. However, no locations in Illinois are slated to close including the one in Fairview Heights.

Five locations in Missouri will closing in Joplin, Cape Girardeau, Lee’s Summit, Florissant and Belton.

Twenty-one of the restaurants closing are owned and six are leased locations. The owned locations closed April 23 and 24, and the remaining leased locations are expected to close during fiscal year 2017.

President and Chief Executive Officer Saed Mohseni released the following statement: “Decisions to close restaurant locations are always difficult. Performance at each of these locations, despite the loyalty of valued guests and the efforts of our dedicated employees, was not meeting expectations. Employees impacted by closures have been offered positions in nearby restaurants where possible. In cases where relocation is not possible, severance benefits will be offered to full-time and part-time employees.”

The company expects proceeds of approximately $20 million from sale of the owned properties. Although restaurants subject to closure generated $30 million of annual revenue, this action is expected to improve annual operating income by approximately $1 million, according to information released by Bob Evans Farms.

This story was originally published April 25, 2016 at 1:27 PM with the headline "Fairview Heights Bob Evans restaurant won’t be one of 27 closing."