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.
That parcel had been on the market since the Applebee’s abruptly closed April 29, 2025.
Steve Kearns is the new owner.
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.
No. We don’t need anymore ice cream shops.
If we could have something really cool like scoop deville or Kopp’s or a nice chicken place like chic fil a that would be great.