Long John Silver's chain contracts as Amarillo marks one-year anniversary

Long John Silver's has cut its U.S. footprint dramatically, dropping from nearly 900 franchised restaurants in 2019 to 479 locations at the end of 2025. The reduction reflects closures of more than half its stores since 2015, including 110 closures after Four Oaks Partners acquired the brand in 2022. Despite the shrinkage, the company reported 16 consecutive quarters of same‑store sales growth, with systemwide sales rising from $400 million in 2022 to about $430 million in 2025.

In Amarillo, Texas, the chain celebrated the first anniversary of its new outlet at 4406 Bell St., which opened on August 1, 2025. The grand opening generated a lengthy line of customers that stretched down Bell Street and lingered for weeks, prompting local excitement and social‑media buzz.

Company spokesperson Laura Ellis emphasized that the closures were largely individual market decisions rather than a broad reduction strategy, while noting the chain’s improved profitability under its current ownership.