Property that was home to Red Robin near Easton sells for $2.8 million

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The building that housed a recently shuttered Red Robin near Easton Town Center was sold to a new owner for $2.8 million.

After a Red Robin located at 3977 Morse Crossing shut down in March amid financial hardship for the chain, a buyer swooped up the 1.7-acre site for $2.8 million on April 7. 

The building, first constructed in 1999, was bought under an LLC whose address is connected to the Miami-based company Orion Real Estate Group. NBC4 reached out to the real estate firm to see if they could share what may take over the building, but did not hear back. 

Some examples of the real estate company’s tenants include IHOP, KFC, Outback Steakhouse, Dunkin Donuts, Whole Foods and Golden Corral, according to its website. Banking and retail companies also rent property managed by the real estate group, which has a portfolio exceeding $1 billion.

The closure of the Red Robin near Easton, which was in business for about 25 years, came just weeks after the chain revealed in a quarterly earnings report that it may shut down around 70 underperforming locations upon the expiration of their current leases. The company experienced a $54.5 million decline in revenue from 2023 to 2024, and stated the anticipated closures will help repay debt.

In its quarterly earnings report, Red Robin said the potential closures are expected over the next five years as leases expire, and that the company is anticipating shuttering 10-15 restaurants this year.

Red Robin told NBC4 it is actively working to improve the performance of its underperforming locations, which may reduce closures. The restaurant chain also confirmed there are not any plans “at this time” to close its four other central Ohio eateries, which are located in Hilliard, Polaris, Grove City and Pickerington.

Red Robin, known for its burgers and bottomless steak fries, first opened in Seattle in 1969 and had nearly 500 restaurants as of late 2024 across the United States and British Columbia, Canada.