Emily Flores
Some restaurant chains hold a special place in our hearts, with signature dishes and cozy atmospheres. But not all good things last forever. Over the years, these beloved U.S. restaurant chains have shut their doors, leaving behind fond memories and empty parking lots.
Gino’s Hamburgers
Founded in 1957 by NFL star Gino Marchetti, this East Coast chain won fans with its Sirloiner steak sandwich. Gino’s merged with Roy Rogers in 1982 and slowly faded away. While a brief revival in 2010 didn’t recapture its old magic, fans still fondly recall their juicy burgers and friendly service.
Howard Johnson’s
Once America’s largest restaurant chain, “HoJo’s” orange roofs were roadside staples. This restaurant was famous for fried clams and 28 ice cream flavors, and it thrived in the 1960s-70s. However, it could no longer keep up with people’s changing tastes, and its service quality became poor with the last HoJo’s closing in 2022.
Fuddruckers
This burger chain, known for its “World’s Greatest Hamburgers,” opened in 1980 in San Antonio. Fuddruckers stood out with its build-your-own-burger concept and fresh-baked buns. At its peak, it had over 500 locations across the US. Despite its popularity, the company filed for bankruptcy in 2020 due to financial struggles and the pandemic’s impact.
Steak and Ale
Norman Brinker’s creation pioneered the casual dining steakhouse concept in 1966. While in operation, it offered high-quality steaks at accessible prices, and you could even get a salad bar and Tudor-style decor. The chain expanded rapidly but struggled against new competitors. So, they filed for bankruptcy in 2008 and closed up its last 58 restaurants.
White Tower
This burger joint, founded in 1926, closely mimicked the look of White Castle. Its distinctive white fortress-like buildings grew to over 230 locations in the 1950s. However, this business chain couldn’t keep operating because of the constant legal battles with White Castle and urban renewal projects. The last White Tower closed in 2004, ending its 79-year run.
Sambo’s
From 1957, Sambo’s grew from a single Santa Barbara location to 1,117 restaurants in 47 states. Its name, derived from its founders’ names, became controversial due to racial associations. Most Sambo’s closed or rebranded by 1982 amid financial troubles and public pressure. The original location shut its doors in 2020.
Chi-Chi’s
This Mexican restaurant chain brought a fiesta atmosphere to the Midwest and East Coast. Established in 1975, Chi-Chi’s grew rapidly, becoming famous for its chimichangas and fried ice cream. Even so, a hepatitis A outbreak in 2003 dealt a fatal blow to the already struggling chain and caused it to shut down completely in the US.
Kenny Rogers Roasters
Country singer Kenny Rogers lent his name to this chicken-focused chain in 1991. If you remember, this place served a really nice plate of wood-fired rotisserie chicken and cornbread. As with some restaurants on the list, they expanded and soon declared bankruptcy. While it vanished from the US in 2011, it remains popular in Asia.
Burger Chef
Once, McDonald’s biggest rival, Burger Chef, pioneered the concept of kid’s meals with toys. At its peak in 1973, it had 1,200 locations, just shy of McDonald’s 1,600. The chain introduced the Works Bar to allow customers to customize toppings. Hardee bought Burger Chef in 1981, but most of its locations were gradually converted or closed down.
Bennigan’s
This Irish-themed casual dining chain was a popular happy hour spot in the 1980s and 1990s. Known for potato skins and the Monte Cristo sandwich, Bennigan’s had over 300 locations. The 2008 recession hit hard and brought about their bankruptcy. Although a few franchise locations survive, Bennigan’s widespread presence is now a fond memory.
Geri’s Hamburgers
A Midwest favorite, it served tasty burgers from 1962 to 1999. This place started in Champaign, Illinois, with 13 locations across three states. Geri’s was so much like the early McDonald’s and did more take-outs. However, they couldn’t keep up with business because of the many competitors that came into the scene.
Wetson’s
New York’s answer to McDonald’s, Wetson’s, thrived from 1959 to 1975. Most 60’s kids will remember how their burgers cost just 15- cents; plus, you could get a bag of their hand-peeled potatoes for as low as 10 cents. The sad news, however, is that they could not compete with national chains and had to sell out to Nathan’s Famous.
Red Barn
With its distinctive barn-shaped buildings, Red Barn was a fast-food staple from 1961 to 1988. The chain was quite promising with its menu options, and they were the first to have a self-service salad station. After all, their frequent ownership changes caused them to fold. And most of their locations were eventually converted to other restaurants.
Wimpy
Named after Popeye’s hamburger-loving friend, Wimpy was a major player in American fast food from the 1930s to the 1970s. It introduced the concept of the “Wimpy Grills” open kitchen. Despite fading in the US, Wimpy remains popular in the UK and South Africa and keeps its legacy alive internationally.
Minnie Pearl’s Chicken
Country star Minnie Pearl lent her name to this fried chicken chain in 1967. It expanded rapidly, reaching 500 locations and rivaling KFC. However, poor quality control and financial mismanagement led to its quick downfall by 1970. The chain’s fast rise and fall became a cautionary tale in the restaurant industry.