Claim Jumper Steakhouse & Bar Closes San Bernardino Location

The Claim Jumper Steakhouse & Bar in San Bernardino, California, has officially closed its doors, marking a reduction in the casual dining chain’s Southern California footprint. The restaurant, located at 1801 E. Highland Ave., ceased operations following the expiration of its lease, according to local reports verified by property management filings.

Why Did the San Bernardino Claim Jumper Close?

The closure of the San Bernardino location follows a broader trend of footprint consolidation for the brand. According to property records and local business reporting from the San Bernardino Sun, the decision to shutter the Highland Avenue site was tied to the conclusion of the restaurant’s long-term lease agreement.

While the company has not issued a formal press release regarding the specific financial performance of the individual San Bernardino site, the move aligns with a strategy of exiting older, high-overhead suburban leases. The restaurant had been a fixture in the Inland Empire dining scene for years, serving as a primary location for the chain in the region.

What Is the Status of Remaining Claim Jumper Locations?

Despite the closure in San Bernardino, the Claim Jumper brand remains active in Southern California. The chain continues to operate three primary locations in the region:

• La Mesa: Serving the San Diego County market.
• Palmdale: Maintaining a presence in the Antelope Valley.
• Riverside: The remaining Inland Empire hub for the brand.

The parent company, Landry’s Inc., acquired the Claim Jumper chain out of bankruptcy in 2010. Since the acquisition, the brand has undergone several rounds of closures as part of an effort to optimize its real estate portfolio. This pattern follows a common strategy in the casual dining sector, where large conglomerates shed underperforming assets to focus on locations with higher traffic density and lower occupancy costs.

How Does This Closure Impact Local Dining?

The departure of Claim Jumper leaves a vacancy in the Highland Avenue retail corridor, an area that has seen shifting demographics and changing consumer preferences in recent years. For residents, the closure represents the loss of a traditional “American grill” style establishment.

Comparatively, the restaurant industry in Southern California has faced significant pressure from rising labor costs and shifting consumer habits toward fast-casual dining. While Claim Jumper maintains a loyal customer base, the brand’s traditional sit-down model faces competition from leaner, tech-forward restaurant concepts. Industry analysts often point to the “casual dining squeeze”—a phenomenon where mid-tier restaurants struggle to maintain margins between low-cost fast food and high-end boutique dining.

Summary of Operations

As of late 2024, the San Bernardino site is permanently shuttered. Management has not indicated any plans to relocate the branch elsewhere in the city. Investors and patrons should note that while the brand remains under the umbrella of Landry’s Inc., the total number of operational Claim Jumper units nationwide has steadily decreased from its peak of over 40 locations in the early 2000s to the current, more consolidated portfolio.