Papa Johns, Noodles & Company, Applebee’s

Papa Johns’ recent struggles continued in the first quarter, as the company reported a same-store sales decline of 6.4% in the North American system. The pizza chain has registered declines in eight out of the past nine quarters.

CEO Todd Penegor said the performance was in line with expectations, however, as it navigates a cautious consumer environment and a highly promotional environment. He added that the transformation plan put into place a little over a year ago is making progress, including a shift back to local marketing, a more robust menu pipeline to bring in new guests, and the closure of underperforming locations. 44 locations were closed in the first quarter, which provided a boost to nearby locations.

300 total are expected to close by the end of next year.

Noodles & Company is feeling pretty good about its turnaround. First quarter same-store sales were up more than 9% systemwide, including a 9.4% increase at company units.

Traffic was up nearly 5%. CEO Joe Christina said the turnaround effort launched about two years ago is paying off. Noodles closed nearly 60 underperforming restaurants last year and in the first quarter, and there are more closures planned.

That has helped boost sales at nearby stores. But Christina credits the improved results to the company’s investments in the menu, operations and marketing. The company raised its guidance for the year, saying it expects same-store sales growth between 7% to 10%.

Applebee’s is feeling a pinch from high gas prices. The casual-dining chain said rising gas prices kept some lower-income consumers away in April as same-store sales slowed. It followed a solid first quarter for the chain, which reported 1.9% same-store sales growth thanks in large part to the super cheesy O-M-Cheeseburger, which was a hit both on social media and “IRL.”