Have you ever ever puzzled what occurred to a few of your favourite chain eating places that appeared to vanish out of your city? You might be stunned that lots of them are nonetheless in enterprise, with maybe just one location remaining. We’ve compiled an inventory of 25 chains that you’ll have thought have been lifeless however are nonetheless on the market.
So, in case you’re feeling nostalgic and need to relive a few of your favourite childhood reminiscences or need to check out some traditional chain restaurant fare, then remember to take a look at these remaining areas earlier than they, too, disappear into the abyss of restaurant historical past.
By the best way, I went to #25 nearly weekly as a child and have many fond reminiscences.
1. Rainforest Cafe
You possibly can’t assist however be enamored with the Rainforest Cafe’s plastic jungles, waterfalls, and animatronic gorillas. The chain’s present retailers are additionally a fan favourite. The restaurant’s menu options fairly priced steaks, Mojo bone ribs, coconut shrimp, and reasonably priced children meals. The erupting brownie desserts are additionally a must-try.
Regardless of the decline of the theme restaurant fad, Rainforest Cafe continues to thrive with 17 areas within the U.S. and 5 extra outdoors the nation. Nonetheless, the chain’s presence has diminished from its peak of 32 areas within the U.S.
Rainforest Cafe’s success might be attributed to its distinctive environment and menu choices catering to adults and youngsters.
2. Planet Hollywood
Planet Hollywood burst onto the restaurant scene in 1991 with the backing of Hollywood celebrities comparable to Bruce Willis, Demi Moore, Sylvester Stallone, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. The theme restaurant was an on the spot success, with every new location reporting near $15 million in gross sales throughout its first yr.
At its peak, Planet Hollywood boasted 87 areas worldwide, together with in Phoenix, Columbus, and the Mall of America in Minnesota. Nonetheless, the restaurant chain’s reputation waned over time, and at this time, solely six Planet Hollywood eating places stay. Regardless of this, the corporate is increasing as a luxurious resort model.
3. Baja Recent
Baja Recent Mexican Grill was established in 1990 and rapidly gained reputation for its contemporary components and distinctive “Salsa Baja” served on the salsa bars. Nonetheless, after Wendy’s acquired the burrito chain in 2002, gross sales started to say no, resulting in a loss when Wendy’s bought the enterprise simply 4 years later.
Regardless of as soon as having as much as 300 areas, Baja Recent has been lowering its presence in america and even failed to determine a location in Miami, which lasted lower than a yr. In 2017, the corporate reported having 165 Baja Recent areas.
Baja Recent’s menu contains quite a lot of Mexican dishes, comparable to burritos, tacos, and salads, with choices for vegetarians and gluten-free clients. The chain emphasizes utilizing contemporary components and made-to-order meals. Moreover, Baja Recent affords catering companies for occasions and events.
4. Huge Boy
Huge Boy, previously Bob’s Pantry, has operated since 1936. The chain was as soon as a significant participant within the restaurant business, boasting over 1,000 areas throughout america in 1979. Standing tall outdoors the eating places, the chain’s chubby, cheerful mascot was a typical sight.
Nonetheless, Huge Boy has misplaced floor to fast-food opponents within the burger enterprise. Solely round 200 Huge Boys and Frisch’s Huge Boys stay in operation, primarily within the Midwest. The brand new house owners of Huge Boy Eating places Worldwide try to revive the model by means of a brand new fast-food restaurant format.
Regardless of declining reputation, Huge Boy stays a beloved icon in American tradition. The chain’s diner-style eating places provide a nostalgic environment for these looking for a style of the previous.
5. Tony Roma’s
Tony Roma’s is a household restaurant chain that began in Miami in 1972 underneath the management of Tony Roma, who was previously in command of the menu for the Playboy Membership. The chain has greater than 150 areas throughout six continents, with solely 17 in america.
Tony Roma’s was franchised by means of an funding from Clint Murchison Jr., the founding father of the Dallas Cowboys. Nonetheless, the chain’s reputation within the US has declined, closing greater than 160 shops nationwide. The corporate has since shifted its focus in the direction of abroad growth, with the current opening of its thirty seventh location in Spain.
Tony Roma’s is thought for its ribs and different barbecue fare, and it’s widespread with clients worldwide. Regardless of its struggles within the US market, the chain continues to develop in reputation abroad.
6. TCBY
You will have heard of TCBY, a frozen yogurt chain since 1981. Initially generally known as “This Can’t Be Yogurt,” the corporate modified its identify to “The Nation’s Finest Yogurt” after a lawsuit from a competitor. Nonetheless, TCBY has struggled to maintain up with newer, trendier frozen yogurt franchises regardless of its lengthy historical past.
With round 350 areas at this time, TCBY has closed many shops over time. Regardless of this, the corporate nonetheless affords over 50 flavors and gluten-free menu objects to sweeten the deal for purchasers. Sadly, these efforts haven’t been sufficient to revive the struggling chain.
Total, TCBY’s historical past is attention-grabbing, however the firm’s present state is lower than thrilling. Whereas it nonetheless affords quite a lot of flavors and menu objects, plainly TCBY has fallen behind its opponents within the frozen yogurt business.
7. Roy Rogers
Roy Rogers, the “King of the Cowboys” in previous film westerns, licensed his identify to a sequence of burger eating places within the late Sixties. By 1991, the chain had expanded to over 600 areas, primarily within the northeastern U.S. and mid-Atlantic. Nonetheless, the enterprise was bought, and the eating places have been transformed to Hardee’s burger joints, leading to a buyer revolt from followers of the Roy Rogers model.
Regardless of makes an attempt to change the identify again, the injury was already achieved, and the Roy Rogers chain ultimately closed down. Nonetheless, the chain has been making a comeback in recent times, with 50 areas at present serving up previous favorites just like the Double R Bar Burger. With its renewed concentrate on high quality meals and repair, Roy Rogers is seeking to recapture its former glory and win again its loyal fanbase.
8. Kenny Rogers Roasters
You might be stunned to study that nation singer Kenny Rogers as soon as based a sequence of rotisserie hen eating places in 1991 with the assistance of former KFC investor John Y. Brown. These eating places rapidly turned part of American popular culture, showing in a 1996 episode of Seinfeld.
Nonetheless, Kenny Rogers Roasters now not exists in North America, leaving rerun viewers scratching their heads. The chain, nevertheless, is prospering in Asia, with scores of areas all through the area operated by a Malaysian firm.
If you end up in Asia, take a look at Kenny Rogers Roasters for a style of American popular culture and scrumptious rotisserie hen.
9. Blimpie
As America’s oldest submarine sandwich chain, Blimpie has been a family identify since its institution in 1964. Nonetheless, in recent times, the corporate has skilled a major drop in its “footprint” and has modified possession a number of occasions. At its peak within the early 2000s, Blimpie had nearly 2,000 retailers in america and abroad.
Nonetheless, the corporate’s web site reveals solely round 250 areas, indicating a major decline in reputation.
Regardless of its decline, Blimpie nonetheless holds a spot in popular culture, as seen within the occasional references to the chain in Tina Fey’s sitcom 30 Rock. The chain’s subs have been a favourite of the present’s loser character, J.D. Lutz.
In 2017, the world’s first Blimpie, positioned in Hoboken, New Jersey, closed its doorways. Regardless of its challenges, Blimpie stays a recognizable identify within the fast-food business, with a loyal buyer base and a protracted historical past of serving scrumptious submarine sandwiches.
10. Kewpee
Kewpee is a century-old burger chain that originated in Flint, Michigan. The kewpie doll, a well-liked child doll within the early twentieth century, impressed the chain’s identify. Kewpee burgers rapidly turned widespread, and by the Nineteen Forties, round 400 Kewpee eating places have been working nationwide. Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas has credited Kewpee as an inspiration for his burger enterprise.
As we speak, Kewpee is a relic restaurant with solely 5 areas remaining. One is in Wisconsin, one is in Michigan, and three are in Lima, Ohio. Regardless of its dwindling presence, Kewpee nonetheless serves up its well-known hamburgers, which have grow to be a nostalgic favourite for a lot of.
11. Bennigan’s
Bennigan’s is a sequence of Irish-themed eating places that originated in Atlanta in 1976. The corporate filed for Chapter 7 chapter in 2007 and closed 150 eating places.
Nonetheless, the model was revived in 2011 underneath new management. Regardless of its Irish pub roots, Bennigan’s struggled to face out towards opponents comparable to TGI Friday’s and Chili’s. The menu featured a mixture of Southwestern-style appetizers, Cajun hen, shrimp, Sriracha burgers, and tempura shrimp.
Bennigan’s at present has 13 areas in america, with eating places in Texas, New Jersey, and different states. For these seeking to expertise a style of Eire, Bennigan’s affords quite a lot of menu objects and a energetic environment.
12. Arthur Treacher’s Fish & Chips
Should you’re a fan of fish and chips, you’ll have heard of Arthur Treacher’s Fish & Chips. The chain of eating places was based in Columbus, Ohio in 1969 and expanded quickly, with over 800 areas nationwide at its peak.
Nonetheless, the corporate’s decline started within the late Seventies because of the “Cod Wars” between Iceland and Nice Britain, which prompted the value of cod to skyrocket. This made the cod utilized in Arthur Treacher’s fish and chips recipe very costly.
As we speak, solely seven standalone Arthur Treacher’s areas stay in Ohio and New York. Regardless of the chain’s decline, its identify stays synonymous with traditional British-style fish and chips. Should you’re fortunate to stay close to one of many remaining areas, you’ll be able to nonetheless benefit from the style of Arthur Treacher’s well-known fish and chips.
13. Floor Spherical
You might keep in mind Floor Spherical because the restaurant well-known for internet hosting nice children’ birthday events, starring a mascot named Bingo the Clown. For adults, it was the place the place you bought peanuts within the shell earlier than your meal and have been inspired to throw the shells onto the ground. Nonetheless, in 2005, almost half of the roughly 130 eating places closed earlier than a chapter submitting, inflicting the chain to exit of favor.
As we speak, fewer than 25 areas are nonetheless working within the Midwest and Northeast, due to franchise house owners who banded collectively to purchase the corporate and forestall it from disappearing fully. It’s price noting that the surviving areas are nonetheless recognized for his or her family-friendly environment and reasonably priced menu choices.
So, in case you’re searching for an informal eating expertise good for the entire household, Floor Spherical is likely to be the place for you.
14. Canine n Suds
Concerning quick meals, burgers dominate the menu, leaving sizzling canine within the shadows. Nonetheless, Canine n Suds, a restaurant chain that dates again to the Nineteen Fifties, has at all times given sizzling canine an equal footing with root beer. These drive-ins, full with carhops, serve their well-known Coney cheese canine, paying homage to Completely happy Days.
In response to the ebook Quick Meals: Roadside Eating places within the Car Age, Canine n Suds had a powerful 650 areas in 38 states in 1968. Nonetheless, solely 10 areas stay at this time, all of that are within the Midwest.
Canine n Suds’ reputation could have waned over time, however its legacy stays a reminder of a bygone period of drive-in eating places and traditional American quick meals.
15. Quiznos
Quiznos, a sandwich chain that originated in Denver in 1981, rapidly expanded all through the U.S. and internationally. At one level, it was even a significant competitor with Subway for the title of America’s favourite fast-food subs.
Nonetheless, in recent times, Quiznos retailers have been closing quickly. As of January 2019, there have been fewer than 400 areas within the U.S., down from a peak of 5,000 in 2007. The chain confronted monetary difficulties in the course of the Nice Recession and filed for chapter in 2014.
Regardless of these setbacks, Quiznos has a brand new proprietor, an funding agency with a monitor file of turning round struggling companies. Followers of the sandwich chain hope the brand new proprietor will convey some much-needed magic to the model.
16. Previous Nation Buffet
Within the mid-2000s, round 700 buffet eating places within the US operated underneath Nation Buffet, Previous Nation Buffet, HomeTown Buffet, or Ryan’s. Regardless of the totally different names, all of them belonged to the identical firm and provided an all-you-can-eat idea of comfort-food favorites comparable to fried hen, meatloaf, mac and cheese, and coconut cream pie. The areas appeared equally, and clients might anticipate the identical menu classics.
Nonetheless, the corporate confronted some critical challenges and went by means of a sequence of bankruptcies and closures. Buffets skilled a gentle decline over time, and the Nation Buffet chain was no exception. The web site reveals that lower than 80 of the buffets are nonetheless in operation.
17. Chock Full O’Nuts
Chock Full O’Nuts is a espresso model and cafe chain with a wealthy historical past relationship again to 1926 when William Black launched a sequence of nut retailers in New York Metropolis. In the course of the Nice Melancholy, Black transformed his nut shops into lunch counters, providing a cup of espresso and a sandwich for simply 5 cents. By 1971, Chock Full O’Nuts had expanded to over 80 sandwich and low retailers within the New York space.
After Black died in 1983, the variety of cafes dwindled to only 17 earlier than ultimately closing down. Nonetheless, in 2010, Chock Full O’Nuts espresso retailers made a comeback. At present, there are six areas in metro New York and Miami.
Chock Full O’Nuts is thought for its high-quality espresso and reasonably priced costs. The cafes provide quite a lot of espresso blends, together with decaf and flavored choices, in addition to breakfast sandwiches, bagels, and pastries. The environment is cozy and nostalgic, with classic decor and a pleasant employees. Whether or not grabbing a fast cup of espresso on the go or searching for a cushty place to calm down, Chock Full O’Nuts has one thing for everybody.
18. Rooster Delight
Should you have been round within the early Sixties, you would possibly keep in mind the catchy jingle that inspired Individuals to “Don’t prepare dinner tonight — name Rooster Delight.” The chain had over 1,000 areas and was even greater than KFC then. Nonetheless, the standard of the fried hen was inconsistent from one restaurant to a different, and clients ultimately began to depart.
Solely about 25 Rooster Delights stay at this time, most positioned in central Canada and New York Metropolis. The chain nonetheless affords traditional fried hen, however the menu has expanded to incorporate buffalo wings, hen fingers, and household combos. When you have a candy tooth, you’ll be able to even take pleasure in some cheesecake for dessert.
Regardless of its smaller dimension at this time, Rooster Delight continues to serve tasty fried hen and different menu objects for its loyal clients.
19. Gino’s Hamburgers
Gino’s Hamburgers was based within the late Nineteen Fifties by Gino Marchetti, a former soccer participant who led the Baltimore Colts to NFL championships in 1958 and ’59. Though the chain grew to greater than 350 areas, it was by no means a high contender within the restaurant business. Within the Seventies, Gino’s tried to broaden into the Midwest, however the endeavor was unsuccessful.
In 1982, Marriott Corp. bought Gino’s and determined to transform its areas into Roy Rogers eating places. Nonetheless, the Gino’s model was revived in 2010 as Gino’s Burgers & Rooster. At present, solely two of Gino’s eating places stay, each positioned within the suburbs of Baltimore. Regardless of its restricted presence, Gino’s has maintained a loyal following amongst locals who respect its traditional burgers and hen dishes.
20. The Brown Derby
Throughout Hollywood’s golden age, the Brown Derby was a hub of movie-star glamour, the place movie offers have been made and aspiring actors have been found. The chain as soon as had 4 areas within the Los Angeles space, together with the long-lasting Wilshire Boulevard location with its dome-shaped roof resembling an enormous derby hat. Nonetheless, the chain ultimately turned outdated, and all 4 areas have been closed by the mid-Nineteen Eighties.
As we speak, just one “Hollywood Brown Derby” restaurant stays in operation, due to a licensing take care of Disney’s Hollywood Studios park in Florida. The restaurant affords a glimpse into Hollywood’s previous with its decor and menu, that includes traditional dishes like Cobb salad and grapefruit cake. The restaurant is a well-liked vacation spot for guests looking for a style of Hollywood’s golden age.
21. Chi-Chi’s
Should you’re a fan of Tex-Mex delicacies, you could be acquainted with Chi-Chi’s, a restaurant chain that used to have over 200 areas within the US and Canada. Nonetheless, because of chapter and a hepatitis outbreak linked to inexperienced onions in 2003, all North American areas have been closed by late 2004.
However don’t despair in case you’re craving Chi-Chi’s Mexican fried ice cream or different dishes – you’ll be able to nonetheless discover the chain’s eating places in Belgium and Luxembourg. And in case you’re within the US, you’ll be able to nonetheless take pleasure in Chi-Chi’s merchandise at your native grocery store, as Hormel, recognized for Spam, sells Chi-Chi’s salsa, chips, and different objects.
So, when you could not have the ability to go to a Chi-Chi restaurant in North America anymore, you’ll be able to nonetheless benefit from the model’s merchandise and style the flavors of Tex-Mex delicacies.
22. York Steak Home
Within the Seventies and Nineteen Eighties, York Steak Home was a well-liked chain of eating places primarily present in buying malls all through the japanese United States. Owned by Normal Mills, the chain served cafeteria-style steaks and sides with a faint knights-of-the-round-table theme.
Nonetheless, after Normal Mills bought off York, a lot of the chain’s eating places have been closed in 1989. The one one that is still in operation is positioned on the west facet of Columbus, Ohio. It continues serving scrumptious steaks, baked potatoes, pies, and nostalgia.
Should you’re within the Columbus space, visiting York Steakhouse is a should for a style of traditional American steakhouse delicacies and a visit down reminiscence lane.
23. Damon’s Grill
Should you’re searching for an informal eating expertise with a sports activities bar vibe, Damon’s Grill is likely to be price trying out. Based in Columbus, Ohio, in 1979, this chain grew to almost 140 areas within the japanese U.S. and the UK. The menu options traditional all-American fare comparable to steaks, ribs, bourbon hen, and pulled pork sandwiches.
Nonetheless, Damon’s confronted setbacks as different chains launched extra numerous menus, leaving clients wanting extra selection. Followers additionally reported a decline in meals high quality and repair. Regardless of surviving a 2009 chapter submitting, Damon’s has dwindled to only three areas within the U.S. at this time. Should you occur to be close to one of many remaining areas, it could be price a go to for a style of traditional American delicacies in a sports activities bar environment.
24. Ollie’s Trolley
Ollie’s Trolley was a streetcar-themed restaurant chain that served spiced burgers. It was Oliver Gleichenhaus’s brainchild. Within the Seventies, John Y. Brown Jr., the person behind Kentucky Fried Rooster’s nationwide success, tried to show Ollie’s Trolley right into a nationwide chain.
Nonetheless, the eating places have been too small to accommodate drive-thrus, which clients have been starting to demand, and the burgers by no means caught on. By 1976, Ollie’s Trolley had nearly 100 areas nationwide, however at this time solely three stay: in Cincinnati, Louisville, and Washington, D.C.
The restaurant’s distinctive streetcar theme was mirrored within the decor, which included a reproduction of a streetcar and a trolley bell that rang when the meals was prepared. Clients might take pleasure in their meals on stools on the counter or in cubicles. Ollie’s Trolley’s specialty was its spiced burger, made with a secret mix of spices and served on a sesame seed bun.
Regardless of its decline, Ollie’s Trolley’s distinctive streetcar theme and spiced burgers stay a nostalgic reminder of a bygone period in quick meals historical past.
25. Howard Johnson’s
In its heyday, Howard Johnson’s was America’s largest restaurant chain, with over 1,000 eating places that includes its iconic orange roofs. Nonetheless, the chain underwent possession modifications, and at this time, just one Howard Johnson restaurant stays, positioned in Lake George, New York.
The restaurant tries to remain true to its roots, serving signature dishes like fried clam strips and macaroni and cheese. Howard Johnson’s was as soon as a well-liked roadside cease for American households touring by automotive. The eating places have been typically linked to motels, and the chain served extra meals outdoors the house than every other restaurant chain apart from the U.S. Military.
The motel chain continues to be rising, however the restaurant chain has dwindled.
What Do You Suppose?
Which of those eating places did you’ve gotten fond reminiscences of? Would you want to return to them and eat once more?
Tell us within the feedback.
