Skipper's seafood restaurants has closed six of its 16 Utah restaurants to focus corporate growth on its strongest markets.
Closed are the outlets in Orem, North Salt Lake, South Salt Lake, West Valley City, St. George and Brigham City.NPC International Inc., the parent corporation, has closed a total of 76 of its Skipper's restaurants.
The corporate refocusing was prompted by a 7 percent decline in sales, according to James K. Schwartz, executive vice president and CEO of NPC International.
"Although we have a strong customer base who continues to enjoy the specialties we have offered for years, there is a segment of consumers in American that prefers non-fried options," he said. "Skipper's has addressed this with the recent introduction of baked cod."
Skipper's also has resisted pressure to pass on higher food costs to customers, Schwartz said.
He said the company is trying to relocate workers affected by the decision within the restaurant's network.
NPC International Inc. also owns Tony Roma's - A Place for Ribs and is Pizza Hut's largest franchise.