Steakhouse chain closes another location after 13 years

Another steakhouse chain is closing one of its longstanding locations, adding to a growing list of restaurant shutdowns affecting brands with decades of history and established customer bases.

Restaurant operators have faced mounting pressure in recent years from higher operating costs, softer discretionary spending, and shifting real estate conditions. While restaurant closures stem from different factors, established locations often draw greater attention because of their enduring ties to local communities.

For example, Outback Steakhouse recently closed more than 20 underperforming restaurants and said it would not renew leases on over 20 additional locations.

This particular chain built its reputation on upscale dining, expansive wine selections, seafood towers, handcrafted pastas, and premium steak offerings. But its beginnings were far more modest.

Founded in Boston in 1985 as a casual neighborhood restaurant, Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse later evolved into an upscale concept and expanded into multiple markets across the East Coast and other regions.

Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse confirms closure of another location

Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse will permanently close its Chestnut Hill, Mass., restaurant at 55 Boylston St. on June 28, 2026, ending a 13-year run at the location.

According to owner Steve DiFillippo, the closure stems from a change in ownership involving Showcase SuperLux, a movie theater operator that shares the property with Davio’s. The ownership transition effectively ends the restaurant’s lease, and DiFillippo said no agreement was made with the incoming owners to remain in the space, Boston Magazine reported.

DiFillippo said he had only recently learned of the news and emphasized that the closure was unrelated to business performance.

“We’re closing because we don’t have a lease,” said DiFillippo. “We can’t stay in a space that’s not ours.”

Despite the abrupt timeline, all affected employees will be transferred to other Davio’s locations.

The company also indicated that its presence in Chestnut Hill may not be over. DiFillippo said he is actively searching for another site in the area and plans to expand into Massachusetts’ South Shore within the next year.

Previous Davio’s restaurant closures

The Chestnut Hill closure follows several recent market exits for the brand.

• Braintree, Massachusetts: Closed in January 2026 after nine years, NBC Boston reported.
• Atlanta, Georgia: Closed in December 2025 after 15 years, Tomorrow’s News Today confirmed.
• Dallas, Texas: Closed in July 2025 after six years, Dallas News reported.

According to prior local reporting, the Atlanta and Braintree closures were tied to rising mall occupancy costs and weaker customer traffic, while no detailed explanation was publicly provided for the Dallas location.

Those shutdowns also marked Davio’s exit from both Georgia and Texas.

Despite the reductions, Davio’s continues to operate seven restaurants, including five in Massachusetts, one in Pennsylvania, and one in Virginia.

Restaurant industry pressures continue to reshape expansion plans

Although DiFillippo said the Chestnut Hill closure was not tied to underperformance, broader industry pressures continue to influence how restaurant operators evaluate renewals and expansion plans.

Many established chains have spent the past several years reassessing their footprints as labor expenses, occupancy costs, and softer discretionary spending weigh on profitability.

Here’s some of my previous coverage on restaurant closures:

• Popular Mexican chain closing all locations after Chapter 11 rescue
• 105-year-old burger chain closes one of its oldest restaurants
• Fast-food fried chicken chain closes almost half its restaurants

A National Restaurant Association survey found that 60% of restaurant operators reported lower customer traffic in December 2025, up from 51% a month earlier. 

At the same time, prices for food away from home increased 3.5% over the 12 months ending in May 2026, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Industry analysts say consumers have become less willing to absorb menu price increases than in prior economic cycles.

“In strong economic environments, price increases have historically been tolerated by restaurant guests,” food industry executive James O’Reilly told FSR Magazine.

“Over the past few years, that’s become far more difficult. While headline economic indicators have improved and financial markets have strengthened, many restaurant consumers, particularly in lower- and middle-income brackets, have not experienced the same relief.”

Related: After bankruptcy, iconic seafood chain closes flagship restaurant