Famous Dave’s shutters three restaurants, exits Richmond market

Chain is the second in a month to close unexpectedly, leaving employees searching for work.

December 29, 2014; 12:05 PM • by Trevor Dickerson

Barbecue chain Famous Dave’s has exited the Richmond market. Employees at the company’s three locations in town–one at West Broad Street and Glenside Drive, another at Virginia Center Commons, and a third in Midlothian–arrived at work to find the restaurants shuttered.

Employees were reportedly given no warning of the impending closures, which the company announced in a press release today.

The move comes amid financial concerns, according to Famous Dave’s CEO Ed Rensi:

“…The Company’s long term goal is to operate a portfolio of company-owned restaurants representing approximately 10% to 15% of the total system-wide restaurant base; this will create re-franchising opportunities, for both existing and new franchisees, for the majority of the remaining company-owned locations. We believe that this strategy will allow us to focus our human and financial capital on opportunities that will drive the greatest increase in company performance and long-term, per share, shareholder value.”

Famous Dave’s is the second chain to unexpectedly close a Richmond-area franchise this month. Earlier in December, Quaker Steak & Lube closed with no warning, leaving employees scrambling to find a job leading up to the holidays.

Photo: TripAdvisor