Pizza Express has announced the closure of its restaurants in Hereford and Ludlow.
Pizza Express, which is majority owned by Chinese firm Hony Capital, said it had also placed the business up for sale.
UK & Ireland managing director, Zoe Bowley, said "incredibly tough decisions to safeguard Pizza Express for the long term" had to be taken.
She added: "Today we have confirmed that 73 of our pizzerias are proposed to close permanently.
"Our focus is on our people whose jobs are impacted and we will be doing everything we can either to redeploy them or to support them in finding roles elsewhere.
"Hard as this process is, it will protect the jobs of over 9,000 of our colleagues and provide a strong footing for Pizza Express to meet future challenges and opportunities."
Lakefest 2025: Saturday night headliner announced
Council expects local government financial settlement to change overall budget position
Shropshire gets additional £9.1m to fix potholes
Stern message to hospital trust
21 home plan in Ludlow approved
Council to hold talks with neighbours over Powys residents' access to tips
Cleobury Mortimer care home approved
Potential loss of out of hours GP service in Shropshire
