USA Update

BILL Belichick has no plans to return to the NFL and rescue the New York Jets, sources have told The U.S. Sun.

Many had tipped the legendary, multiple Super Bowl-winning coach to replace Robert Saleh.

Getty

Bill Belichick has made a decision over New York Jets head coach role interest[/caption]

AP

Robert Saleh was fired by the New York Jets earlier this week, in a shock to the NFL[/caption]

He was brutally axed this week by the front office after an uninspiring 2-3 start to the season.

But The U.S. Sun has spoken to two close friends of the 72-year-old, who stress that Belichick loves time away from the grind of the NFL season and is happy “enjoying the matches as a fan.”

The Jets have put defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich in charge until the end of the season.

But owner Woody Johnson is fully aware that the six-time Super Bowl-winning New England Patriots legend is available.

Once news of Saleh’s sacking broke, one of the insiders revealed Belichick’s phone was ringing off the hook.

But jumping into a team mid-season “isn’t his style,” he will wait to see what offers arrive ahead of the next campaign.

“He wouldn’t jump on a project like this and just try to be the new captain of a ship that is going through the storm, ” stressed the insider.

“It’s not worth the risk, and he is enjoying life a different way for the moment, so he wants to focus on that.”

Belichick has been pictured enjoying a new romance with 23-year-old Jordon Hudson following his split from wife Linda Holliday.

He has been doing some NFL punditry and even starring in commercials.

“Bill is living his best life, making tons of money and not stressing about anything; why would he change that for now?.” added the source.

“He is happy, and that is all that matters for him now, and he is doing the right thing.”

Belichick boasted an incredible 302-165 regular season record as a coach, spending 23 years in New England following two years as assistant head coach at the Jets between 1997 and 1999.

One of his former coaches at the Patriots, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said they recently spoke about just how much fun it’s been to step away from the limelight and how his new girlfriend has given him a fresh “breeze” in his life.

He also insisted there was no chance of him coaching in New York, considering his New England past.

“Bill is clear about his preferences, and he is a loyal guy.

“He wouldn’t try to get a coaching spot in any New York team.

“They have always been huge rivals of his beloved Patriots,” said the friend.

“He wouldn’t want to deal with this and the New York media and fan base; that is very intense. He is a Patriot legend for life; he wouldn’t betray his love for New England and the legacy he built there.”

However, the source thinks Belichick could return to the NFL – one day.

“He went through so much, even more in the last few years with the Patriots, that he wants to just enjoy life off the coaching world, at least for now, ” added the insider.

“He has everything he needs now: a girl, money, a great life doing TV and commercials; he is living like a 25-year-old man.

“It’s every man’s dream.”

Instagram/jordon_isabella

Belichick has been spending more time with his girlfriend Jordon Hudson, 23[/caption]

A MAJOR franchisee of a popular restaurant chain has filed for bankruptcy placing more than 10 restaurants under threat.

Louisiana Apple, the franchisee of 14 Applebee restaurants in several states, has been hit with a lawsuit by its creditor after it failed to make repayments on a $7.1 million loan.

Getty

A major Applebee’s franchisee is facing bankruptcy placing 14 restaurants at risk[/caption]

The creditor, City National Bank, is seeking to have the restaurants transferred to other owners affiliated with Applebee’s and is suing the franchisee over about $8.3 million in debt.

The franchisee operated 14 restaurants in a number of states including Arkansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Indiana.

The lawsuit has prompted Louisiana Apple to make a Chapter 11 filing.

ABOUT THE FILING

According to the case management summary, Louisiana Apple borrowed over $7 million from CNB in 2020.

The filing alleged that Louisiana Apple failed to make repayments on the loan from July 2023.

While it is unclear why Louisiana Apple struggled to pay off the loan, Restaurant Dive said Applebee’s same-store sales have decreased in year-on-year terms each quarter from early 2023.

Applebee’s domestic restaurant count fell from 1,554 at the end of Q2 2023 to 1,520 at the end of Q2 2024, according to Restaurant Dive.

Applebee’s at Bay Terrace Shopping Centre in Queens, New York closed down last year after the owner failed to pay $1.2 million in rent.

The landlord said it made concessions during the pandemic shutdown to Apple Metro, which is the New York Metropolitan Area franchisee of Applebee’s, but still didn’t get the rent it was owed.

In May this year, a separate Applebee’s shut down in Hudson, New York.

Earlier this year, an Applebee’s establishment in Antioch, California, also closed, bringing an end to more than 25 years of business.

The closures come as bosses at its parent company Dine Brands warned there would be a raft of shutdowns throughout the year.

The chain said it could suffer a net loss of restaurants ranging between 25 and 35.

Tony Moralejo, Applebee’s president, said closures were a last resort.

MORE CLOSURES

It is not the only restaurant chain that has endured closures.

Major chains have shut down restaurants across the country including TGI Fridays, MOD Pizza, Boston Market, Red Lobster, and Tijuana Flats.

Restaurant managers have blamed a raft of issues including financial pressures from inflation, changing consumer trends, cost-cutting and underperformance issues.

In February, bosses at Bloomin Brands revealed Outback Steakhouse locations across the country would close.

Execs revealed there would be 41 restaurant closures in total across its portfolio of chains.

Bloomin Brands also owns Bonefish Grill and Carrabba’s Italian Grill.

Chiefs at the fast food joints In-N-Out and Denny’s have closed restaurants in Oakland, California.

Rob Delaney shares a kiss with 'Loki' star Wunmi Mosaku.

In response to the e-commerce giant's October sale, other retailers rolled out huge competing savings events, many of which are still running. These are the ones worth shopping.

The theme parks remained closed on Thursday, as the companies take stock of the damage from the storm. "I think the media did a great job for warning people," Comcast CEO Brian Roberts said.

The Greek mythology comedy series was canceled after one season.

The "Down With The Sickness" band will melt faces at MSG on March 21.

The NYPD Detectives' Endowment Association posted a message on its website reminding members they don't have to talk to the feds — and shouldn't, lest they become a target.

"The Young Turks" co-host Ana Kasparian explained what drove her to ditch the Democratic Party while on Jillian Michaels' "Keeping It Real" podcast on Monday.

Biden and fellow Democrats have broadly dismissed criticism of the federal response to the earlier Hurricane Helene — the deadliest to hit the US since Katrina in 2005.