STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- After 16 years at 2710 Hylan Blvd., Wendy's of New Dorp served its last set of burgers and fries on Sunday, Dec. 20.

A store worker explained to well-wishers that the restaurant could not negotiate a new lease to the benefit of the business.

Staff will be absorbed into Wendy's locations in Dongan Hills and New Springville, said a server at the New Dorp store.

Wendy's corporate office did not respond to emails requesting official word on the matter. However, a sign posted on the front door of the New Dorp location noted, "It saddens us to inform you that after many great years (2710 Hylan Blvd.) will be closing its doors on December 20, 2015."

It continued, "We appreciate your loyal patronage and have enjoyed serving you over the past 16 years."

The sign pointed to other Wendy's on the Island situated at 1761 Forest Ave., Port Richmond; 1661 Hylan Blvd., Dongan Hills; 26 Richmond Hill Rd., New Springville; 6420 Amboy Rd., Pleasant Plains, and 141 E. Service Rd., Travis.

The Wendy's corner location was once a Nathan's hot dog restaurant, known for its bright yellow facade and arcade. It closed in 1980 and the building was subdivided to make way for a Roy Rogers restaurant and a Staten Island Savings Bank. Roy Rogers closed at some point in the mid-1990s, and it later reopened as Wendy's. The bank remains the same, though under the Santander name.

This isn't the first time Wendy's has seen an operation shut down. The Advance reported that one closed in Arden Heights in 2009, an outfit owned by a former franchisee who also ran a Wendy's at the Staten Island Mall that closed in 2008.

-- Ken Paulsen, the Advance's Director of Digital Operations, contributed to this report.