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The COVID-19 pandemic added further challenges, hitting casual dining chains especially hard. Eventually, Red Robin announced halts on future growth plans and began shuttering underperforming locations, particularly those situated in shopping malls. The original Seattle location closed its doors in 2010 due to the high costs of renovations.
Despite these setbacks, Red Robin persists. As of 2023, the company operates 506 locations across 39 states and one Canadian province. While down from nearly 600 locations in its peak years, Red Robin continues to thrive on its culinary offerings, maintaining customer favorites like bottomless fries and inventive milkshakes.