Applebee’s Restaurants Closing [VIDEO]

In a staggering report released from USA Today this morning we've learned that up to 135 Applebee's Restaurants are on the chopping block this year. Will Owensboro or Evansville make the cut based on the closing criteria?

I love hanging out with friends at Applebee's in Owensboro. I'm just hoping it will continue to be a place to gather in the near future!

USA Today reported that that up to 135 Applebee's Restaurants are set to close.

The Applebee’s brand has been a particular source of concern. Same-restaurant sales dropped 6.2% in the second quarter this year.

In 2016, Applebee's closed 46 locations, but it just wasn’t enough to make the brand strong and viable.

The company declined to release a list of locations that will be shuttered, but did add this insight to the decision-making process.

Executives said the locations will be shuttered based on “several criteria,” such as profitability and “brand quality standards.”

Restaurants slated for closure are either in areas with declining traffic, such as restaurants near once bustling but now dead malls, or locations with low sales that offer customers a "substandard experience," according to executives.

We'll cross our fingers, toes and eyes that we make the cut! We'll keep you posted once the closing list is released.