Francine, the upscale French-Mediterranean restaurant at Scottsdale Fashion Square, shut down so suddenly this week that guests walked up to a lit but empty dining room and paper signs on the doors. “RESTAURANT CLOSED” was the only explanation offered, as phone calls went unanswered and both regulars and staff were left wondering what just happened.
Signs and silence at Fashion Square
By Tuesday, printed notices on Francine’s glass doors and outdoor menu case announced “RESTAURANT CLOSED,” with a smaller line adding, “We apologize for any inconvenience.” A valet at the circular drive said he learned of the closure from a former employee, and calls to the restaurant reportedly went unanswered. According to Phoenix New Times, the paper reached out to both the restaurant and the mall for comment.
Francine’s short run in Scottsdale
Restaurateur Laurent Halasz opened Francine in August 2020, building out roughly 5,000 square feet in the mall’s luxury wing for an airy, limewashed-brick dining room and a coastal French menu. The restaurant has listed its address and hours on its website and offered reservations through OpenTable. The Arizona 100 reported the restaurant’s planned opening and size in 2020, while Francine’s site provides current menu and contact details.
Prime mall real estate, uncertain future
Francine occupied a marquee spot near Nobu, Toca Madera and Ocean 44 in Fashion Square’s redeveloped luxury wing, a section built out as part of a broader push to add high-end dining. Macerich disclosure documents note that the revamped wing includes a cluster of upscale restaurants and generates tens of millions of dollars in annual sales. With Francine’s closure, the future of that unit is unclear, though the center’s luxury positioning makes it a likely target for another high-end tenant.
Patrons and staff left asking questions
On the restaurant’s most recent Instagram post, one commenter wrote, “Rumors yall closed up shop with no notice???” and had not received a response, according to Phoenix New Times. With no public statement from ownership or the mall, regulars and employees were left looking for answers while neighboring restaurants continued business as usual.
What to watch
At the time of reporting, Francine’s website still featured a reservation link and phone number, and OpenTable listings continued to show reviews and booking details, suggesting the online systems had not yet caught up with the closure. For now, the mall’s tenant mix and industry filings point to the likelihood of another high-end operator eventually taking over the space, but no replacement or official timeline has been announced. This story will be updated if the restaurant or the mall provides a statement.
