October 30, 2025 – West Bend, Wi – If there’s been one phone call, there’s been a hundred regarding what is going on at the former Applebee’s location in West Bend, WI. Neighbors have been keeping an eye on the high-profile corner and have noticed a huge change.
“You couldn’t even see the place, it was so overgrown,” said property owner Steve Kearns. “When those bushes and shrubs first went in, they were probably between 12 and 24 inches; now the shrubs were probably 8 to 10-feet tall.
“The hedge was totally out of control; there was garbage stuck in it and everything. The trees we took down were half dead and we just wanted to get it back to looking normal.”
Kearns said the property looked like it hadn’t been pruned for 25 years.
“The Applebee’s is a real memorable corner. It’s at the entrance to the city and we wanted to make it look good,” said Kearns. “We got the dead trees out, the dead bushes out, cleaned it up and now we can figure out what we’re going to do with it and who is going to go in there, so it really compliments West Bend.”
Questioned if the outside was a mess, how was the inside?
Kearns said the bones of the building and the roof are in A1 condition. “The building is brick; everything was built really, really well,” said Kearns. “The parking lot needs some fixing; the interior just wasn’t kept up.
“The chairs are perfect, and the benches are perfect,” said Kearns about the interior.
The building dates to 1996 and Kearns said he’s had a lot of interest.
“One corporate called, and I’ve had others who want to lease it,” he said.
Kearns will know more about the future occupant in the next two months.
Below are previously published stories regarding the closure and sale of the former Applebee’s in West Bend, WI.
September 10, 2025 – West Bend, Wi – The sale price has been posted for the former Applebee’s location at 2510 W. Washington Street, in West Bend, WI.
Applebee’s abruptly closed April 29, 2025. Steve Kearns is the new owner. The parcel’s total assessed value was listed at $590,000. What would you like to see in this location?
The sale closed June 30, 2025, for $585,000. Below is a complete listing of Property Sales Year to Date 2025.
Property Sales YTD 2025 (1)Below are previous articles and some history on Applebee’s in West Bend, Wi.
Take note, back in July – you can see below – there was a tip about another ice cream shop on S. Main Street in West Bend, WI. We can see how that came to fruition… two months later.
July 3, 2025 – West Bend, Wi – The property, 2510 W. Washington Street, in West Bend, WI, previously home to the shuttered franchise Applebee’s has sold.
He said he will “not” turn it into a car dealership.
The property is 4,400 square feet, plus the parking lot.
Below is the article published when Applebee’s closed in West Bend, WI.
PS – on a side note, and a reward for Insiders, what would you think about another ice cream shop on S. Main Street in West Bend, Wi?
Stay tuned. You’ll be saying, “I heard it on the Insider.”
April 29, 2025 – West Bend, Wi – Franchise restaurant Applebee’s, 2510 W. Washington Street in West Bend, Wi has announced it is now closed.
Identifying as “your neighborhood bar and grill” the store on the corner of Highway 33 and Wildwood Road confirmed the closure with a note taped to the door.
While there are various owners of the Applebee’s outlets, there have been other stores around the state that have also closed including a franchise in Delafield, West Allis, Kenosha, and Wisconsin Rapids which announced its closure today, April 28, 2025. Click HERE for a list of closures.
Do you remember what used to be on that corner? Or in the parking lot where Pick n’ Save currently is?
Applebee’s opened in West Bend in 1996.
Back then that area also had was Frontier Bowl owned by Boudry, Rocky Rococo’s Pizza, Wendy’s Restaurant and the Fanta Suites where the bar inside was J.R. Maxamillian’s.
When Bob Gannon purchased the hotel, the bar inside was called Joey’s. “We used to go watch the Packers there on Sunday and they had the best white chicken chili… very spicy,” said DJ Bob Bonenfant.
The entryway of the Applebee’s in West Bend, Wi, was dedicated to the history of the community with images of the old Courthouse, the downtown West Bend Theatre, and surrey races from the old Fairgrounds off Highway 33.
Click HERE to read about the new Jug’s Pub & Grill opening in Slinger, Wi
Calls have been placed to the owner for more information.
The last day for Applebee’s was Sunday, April 27, 2025. On Monday, the doors were locked, and staff were busy loading boxes and cleaning.
Tell Kearn to turn it into a FORD’S GARAGE Gourmet Burgers and Craft Beer location
https://fordsgarageusa.com/
We need another good chain restaurant in West Bend!!
Please a chick filet or wendys
West Bend could use one of the following: Chic Fill A, Dave’s Hot Chicken, Chilis, Popeyes, olive garden, raising canes, sonic, five guys, target, Dave and Busters, Kopp’s Custard.
Would LOVE another A&W. Omg It was so delicious back in the day. A Chick Fila would be awesome too .