Original Timberline Steakhouse & Grill closes after 14 years in business

WICHITA — It was just a matter of time.

Eight months after the east-side Timberline Steakhouse & Grill closed, so has its sister restaurant on the west side.

"It was a very difficult decision that we needed to make," says Scott Redler, who owned the chain with Bill Simon.

The Timberline near 21st and Tyler opened 14 years ago and was their first in the chain, which had seven restaurants in six cities over the years.

There's one Timberline left.

Salina licensee JRI Investments owns that restaurant and has purchased the concept with plans to open more Timberlines.

"You know, we had an opportunity to sell, and it just seemed to make sense," Redler says.

He and Simon plan to continue to focus on Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, which they run with Simon's brother, Randy, who also is a Panera Bread franchisee.

Redler says Freddy's average ticket of about $6.50 makes a lot more sense than Timberline's $17 average.

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This story was originally published August 29, 2011 at 5:07 AM with the headline "Original Timberline Steakhouse & Grill closes after 14 years in business."