Bob Evans closing part of profit strategy

More than 10 days after abruptly shutting down its Moraine location, Bob Evans Restaurants said that “tough decisions” such as the closure of that West Dorothy Lane restaurant are necessary to guarantee a bright future for the chain.

But a spokeswoman reassured customers in the Miami Valley that their local restaurants are safe for now. “No other changes are planned in greater Dayton at this time,” the spokeswoman said.

“The beloved Bob Evans brand continues to thrive, and we will keep a strong presence in the Dayton market,” the chain’s spokeswoman said. “To assure Bob Evans Restaurants can maintain the stability of our business and build toward a vibrant future, we must make some tough decisions.”

The Moraine location closed Oct. 1. The spokeswoman noted that there are three other Bob Evans restaurant locations within nine miles of the closed restaurant, including one in Kettering on East Dorothy Lane, which is about four miles away.

Twenty-nine of the store’s 31 hourly employees accepted a transfer to other Bob Evans locations, as did all three of the Moraine store’s managers, the spokeswoman said.

The chain is under new corporate ownership. Golden Gate Capital announced in January it would acquire the chain. The $565 million transaction was finalized in May. Golden Gate Capital officials said they would retain the Bob Evans leadership team to guide the transition as they took part of the company private.