Alongside other fast food chains that are disappearing across America, Austin-based casual Tex-Mex restaurant chain Torchy’s Tacos is slated to shut down seven restaurants in early February 2026. Among the restaurants that will close are the last two Torchy’s Tacos restaurants in Columbus, Ohio. Two restaurants will also shut down in the Orlando, Florida area, as well a location in Atlanta, Georgia, Queen Creek, Arizona and Stafford, Texas.
These restaurant closures come after Torchy’s already shut down two locations in Kansas City, Missouri, one in Phoenix, Arizona, and two in the Richmond, Virginia area. While it might sound like the chain is in trouble, a spokesperson for Torchy’s instead said, via Nation’s Restaurant News, “These decisions allow us to focus more intentionally on high-performing markets and elevating the guest experience.” The spokesperson also said that this focus would place the chain ”in the strongest position for sustainable growth moving forward.”
Torchy’s Tacos expanded as the restaurant industry struggled
Founded in 2006, Torchy’s Tacos offers various churros, tacos, tortillas, and other Mexican meals with fresh ingredients, and by 2024, it had a total of 131 locations across 16 states. However, 2025 was a particularly challenging year for restaurants due to rising labor and food costs. At the same time, many households have cut back on eating out in order to save money. As a result, several chains were forced to close locations, or even declare bankruptcy, including Florida’s Bravo Brio filing for bankruptcy, California’s Quesadilla Gorilla closing locations, and the nationwide closure of 200 locations by major fast food chain Jack in the Box.
With that said, Torchy’s spokesperson stated that, while closing restaurants isn’t easy, the company “believes that growing the right way matters more than growing fast.” In keeping with that theme, Torchy’s opened a new location on February 2, in Zionsville, Indiana…