INDIANAPOLIS — A pair of Ponderosa Steakhouse locations — one in Indianapolis and the other in Anderson — have closed permanently, a result of changes stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a WARN notice filed with the Indiana Department of Workforce Development last week, CMR Partners LLP, which operated Ponderosa Steakhouses at 5009 S. Scatterfield Road in Anderson and 5005 S. Emerson Ave. in Indianapolis, announced the two locations are permanently closed.
The company said after 24 years it was ceasing operations and terminating the employment of all the employees of the two restaurants. According to the letter filed with the state, the company employed 72 people in Indianapolis and 68 people in Anderson. The closure was effective Aug. 24 in Anderson and Aug. 28 in Indianapolis.
READ MORE | Indy restaurants and businesses permanently closed due to COVID-19
"This action is due to the unexpected and significant impact to the foodservice industry directly caused by the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic," the company said in the letter. "More particularly, the sudden and unexpected reduction of business caused by the pandemic coupled with the additional requirements for buffet service restaurants have fundamentally changed the financial feasibility of business operations."
The company said it attempted to adjust to the circumstances and the unpredictable consumer demand, but the "sudden precipitous declines have rendered continued operations — as well as greater notice to employees — infeasible."
