A POPULAR rival to Chipotle had closed a restaurant without any warning or reason – apart from a note on the door.
On the Border suddenly announced the shutting of its last location in Fairfax County, Virginia, late last week, where it’s been since the mid 1990s.
The Texas-based Mexican chain had occupied a standalone building at 11880 Spectrum Center.
There was no warning given, and the only explanation left was a note stuck to the front door.
It read: “With a heavy heart, we announce that this location is now permanently closed.
“We are incredibly grateful for your support and loyalty over the years — it has been an honor to serve you.
“Thank you for being a part of our journey. We hope to serve you again soon!”
It’s not known when exactly the On the Border closed, but local media was alerted to it on February 7.
ON THE BORDER’S HISTORY
On the Border was started by three friends who opened their first restaurant in Dallas, Texas, in 1982.
The concept gained traction with its fajitas, margaritas and “lively patio scene”, according to the company’s website.
It was originally known as On the Border South Texas Cafe.
At that time, the chain was part of Brinker International, the same company that owned Chili’s and Maggiano’s Little Italy.
But, ownership changes led to a decline in sales.
On The Border did report promising sings in the past few years, as it overhauled its menu just before the COVID pandemic.
It was reported in 2022 that it was on track for its first positive sales year since 2006.
On the Border only has one Virginia location left following the closure, located in Woodbridge.
On the Border still has over 100 US locations, but the chain has been hit by several closures recently.
These have happened in Omaha, Nebraska, Kansas City, Missouri, and its home state of Texas.
Whilst little information is known about what might happen to the site, the truth could lie with Fairfax County’s planning board.
According to the county’s records, On the Border’s 7,097-square-foot building in Reston was constructed in 1997.
It was envisioned as one of the eight buildings in the initial plan for a shopping center called Spectrum.
The plan was updated in 2013 to include 643 residential units and a 270-room hotel.
It wasn’t expected to be actioned for another decade, but in 2025, there is still no update on the project.
A Barnes & Noble was opened in Spectrum in 2023 and there’s a Whole Foods currently under construction.
This could suggest that property owner Lerner Enterprises will be on the lookout for a new retail tenant to fill On the Border’s building.
Restaurant closures in 2024
BOSSES at major dining chains have announced a series of restaurant closures. The U.S. Sun has compiled a list of the chain's affected.
Cracker Barrel: Stores in Medford, Oregon, Columbia, South Carolina, and Sacramento, California, have closed. Mod Pizza: Bosses dramatically shuttered 27 shops in April, including some in the state of California. Frisch’s Big Boy: Restaurant chiefs confirmed the closure of a restaurant in Covington, Kentucky in April. Outback Steakhouse: The chain will shutter 41 ‘underperforming’ locations this year. Two Bucks: Four restaurants in Ohio closed in April. Chili’s: A restaurant in Port Arthur, Texas, has shut permanently as well as one in Irvine, California, and one in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Friendly’s: Bosses confirmed an establishment in Ronkonkoma, Long Island will close. Pizza Hut: A restaurant in Glen Falls, New York, closed at the end of March, followed by four in Ohio in June and 15 in Indiana. This was followed in July by a bankruptcy filing from its parent company which announced the closure of 150 locations. Carl’s Jr.: The first Boise, Idaho location has closed. In-N-Out: An Oakland location closed earlier in the year due to crime in the area. Cheesecake Factory: The chain is set to shutter a location in Memphis, Tennessee in July. Applebee’s: Announced the closure of between 25 and 35 locations this year. Red Lobster: The seafood chain filed for bankruptcy in May and shuttered over 100 locations. Taco John’s: Shuttered a restaurant in Minnesota and put the building up for sale in May. Frisco’s Chicken: The poultry restaurant shuttered all of its locations over the summer Rubio’s Coastal Grill: Has announced the closure of 48 locations in California after filing for bankruptcy. Burger King: Shuttered a location in California in June after 30 years. Foster’s Freeze: Shuttered a location in California after five decades in business due to financial struggles. Chicken Salad Chick: After nine years the restaurant shuttered one location in Jacksonville, Florida, with no reason given. México Lindo: The New York City-based restaurant announced its final day after 52 years and finally shuttered its doors for good on July 31. American Dream Pizza: Closed all of its locations in Oregon in July. Tender Greens: The Southern California-based chain filed for bankruptcy. Lefty’s Famous Cheesesteaks, Hoagies, & Grill: Abruptly shuttered 18 locations in July due to a family feud. Firehouse Subs: Shuttered a location in the Tri-Cities area of Washington State over the summer citing “unforeseen circumstances” Taco Time: The Taco Bell rival shuttered a location in Seattle after 50 years following a death in the franchise owner’s family. Burgerim: Shuttered a location in Burlington, Massachusetts in July, reigniting bankruptcy fears from 2020. Denny’s: The chain has shuttered over 40 locations so far this year with the owner of the one outlet blaming vandalism. Starbucks: The chain shuttered one of its most iconic locations in New York City after almost three decades with fans blaming crime. It also lost a location in Seattle. Subway: In August, the sandwich chain shuttered over 20 locations across the US and Canada after a franchisee lost money after being a victim of fraud. IHOP: A restaurant in New Hampshire shut its doors after 24 years, leaving four locations in the state. Switchback Coffee Roasters: The popular chain filed for bankruptcy in August after over a decade in business. Jimmy John’s: The sandwich shop chain shuttered a location in Nevada on August 19 after 12 years citing overexpansion issues. KFC: Closed the remaining three locations in Rockford, Illinois all on the same day on August 19. In total, it closed six locations across four cities in Illinois. Rusty Bucket: The chicken shop chain confirmed it would officially leave Florida as it announced a handful of closures including in Sarasota and Ohio. Buca di Beppo: The Olive Garden rival abruptly shuttered 44 locations across five states before filing for bankruptcy. Red Robin: Announced the closure of its Ashburn, Virginia location on August 25 after 15 years in business. Noodles & Company: Shuttered dozens of locations due to their contribution to around $2 million worth of losses. Shoney’s: The classic American-style food chain founded in 1947 officially exited Ohio after three decades of business as it reduced its operational footprint. Homegrown: The sandwich chain based in Seattle announced the closure of 10 locations leaving 150 employees in the lurch. World of Beer: Filed for bankruptcy after closing 14 outlets. Arby’s: The chain announced a number of closures this year including in Lexington, Kentucky, Akron, Ohio, Uno Pizzeria & Grill: Shuttered a location in New Jersey in July, leaving just two in the state, followed by the closure of a Baltimore location in August. Hart House: Shutterd all four locations in California in September just two years after the vegan fast-food restaurant chain was launched by actor and comedian Kevin Hart. Read More Details
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