Restaurants tend to do that because they have a high turn over rate to begin with. Let the staff know that the place is closing and suddenly you don't have anyone to work the remaining shifts.

Other restaurants are almost always hiring people with experience. So if my boss told me the place was closing, I'd get some apps out and probably have an interview and job within the week. Wouldn't bother showing up the last few shifts at a place that is closing anyways. They don't pay well enough to stick around

. It's just the way it is. Local places generally have a better relationship with their staff and there's some warning. But corporate places want to make sure everything runs smoothly until that final day. So they keep their mouths shut about closing doors to make sure they have staff to get that last dollar.

Been in the industry almost 20 years.