Ryan's customers received an unwelcome surprise Thursday after learning the buffet restaurant in Huntsville is closed.

A sign on the door of the University Drive facility had a message thanking Ryan's fans for their support over the years.

"Thank you for your business and we hope to serve you at another location very soon," the sign read. "Please visit ryans.com to find your nearest location."

Several former Ryan's employees, including unofficial city watchdog Jackie Reed, stood outside the restaurant shortly before noon to voice their displeasure. Reed, who worked for Ryan's for nine years, said they had customers from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Athens, Arab and beyond.

"There are people who come in here every day to eat," she said.

Ovation Brands Vice President of Business Development Peter Donbavand said 74 underperforming Ryan's, Old Country Buffet, Hometown Buffet, Fire Mountain and Country Buffet locations throughout the U.S. will close permanently today.

After assessing individual restaurants, Donbavand said "it is necessary to shutter locations for the continued viability of the brands and our employees."

"Although the overall number of employees affected by closures is large, employees of closed restaurants will be given the opportunity to apply for positions at operating stores, and we expect many to take advantage of that opportunity," he said. "Additionally, we will be adding staff to the operating restaurants, enabling us to provide the service levels our guests expect and deserve."

Ovation was acquired in August 2015 by Food Management Partners. Donbavand said closing restaurants that are struggling is "the best direction for the long-term health of all brands."

"While we cannot predict future market conditions, the plan is to continue operating the remaining Ovation Brands' restaurants as they are financially viable," he said.

Ryan's head cook Danny Hall, who worked for the company for nearly three decades, said he had no idea a closure was on the horizon.

"As long as I've been here, we didn't have no problems," he said. "I'm gonna miss it after all these years."

Glenn Tate, a 5-year employee, said he "was shocked, stunned" when a co-worker told him the Huntsville location closed without giving an early notice to employees.

"After the 10th, I'm just going to have to take it day by day," he said. "We're going to get paid through then. I detail cars, but it's not the season right now. When it gets to the summertime and things start warming up, I'll have to do what I can do."