30 Defunct Restaurant Chains That Americans Don't Miss
If you're a fan of eating out, you may have noticed that some restaurant chains have come and gone over the years. While some places have managed to survive the test of time, others have been forced to close their doors for various reasons. In this article, we'll take a look at 30 defunct restaurant chains that Americans don't miss.
1. Bennigan's
Bennigan's was a popular casual dining restaurant in the 1980s and 1990s. However, a series of financial and legal issues forced the chain to file for bankruptcy twice in the early 2000s. The chain has since been revived, but it's no longer the powerhouse it once was.
2. Roy Rogers
Roy Rogers was a fast-food chain that specialized in roast beef sandwiches. The chain was once a major player in the industry, but it eventually fell victim to changing tastes and competition from other fast-food chains.
3. Chi-Chi's
Chi-Chi's was a Mexican restaurant chain that was popular in the 1980s and 1990s. However, a major outbreak of hepatitis A in 2003 caused the chain to go bankrupt and close its doors for good.
4. Showbiz Pizza Place
Showbiz Pizza Place was a popular restaurant chain for kids in the 1980s. The chain was known for its animatronic animal band, which would perform for guests. However, the chain eventually merged with Chuck E. Cheese's, and the Showbiz brand was phased out.
5. Bonanza
Bonanza was a steakhouse chain that was popular in the 1970s and 1980s. The chain eventually fell out of favor with the public, and most of its locations were closed by the early 2000s.
6. Howard Johnson's
Howard Johnson's was once a popular restaurant chain that was known for its ice cream and fried clams. However, the chain eventually fell out of favor with the public, and most of its locations were closed by the early 2000s.
7. Friendly's
Friendly's was a popular family restaurant that was known for its ice cream sundaes. However, the chain eventually fell on hard times, and it filed for bankruptcy in 2011.
8. Steak and Ale
Steak and Ale was a casual dining restaurant chain that was known for its steak dishes. However, the chain became too outdated to compete with newer restaurants, and it eventually went out of business.
9. Ponderosa
Ponderosa was a steakhouse chain that was popular in the 1970s and 1980s. However, the chain eventually fell out of favor with the public, and most of its locations were closed by the early 2000s.
10. Sambo's
Sambo's was a restaurant chain that was known for its pancakes and coffee. However, the chain was the subject of controversy due to its use of a racist caricature in its advertising. The chain eventually changed its name, but it was too late, and most of its locations were closed by the early 1980s.
11. Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour
Farrell's was a popular ice cream parlor chain in the 1970s. The chain was known for its elaborate sundaes and desserts. However, the chain eventually fell out of favor with the public, and most of its locations were closed by the early 1990s.
12. Fuddruckers
Fuddruckers was a fast-casual burger chain that was popular in the 1980s and 1990s. However, the chain was eventually bought out by a larger company, and most of its locations were closed as a result.
13. Bennigan's
Sam Woo BBQ was a Chinese restaurant chain that was popular in California. However, the chain eventually fell out of favor with the public, and most of its locations were closed by the early 2010s.
14. Gino's Hamburgers
Gino's Hamburgers was a fast-food chain that was popular in the 1970s. The chain was known for its burgers and fries. However, the chain eventually fell out of favor with the public, and most of its locations were closed by the early 1990s.
15. Kenny Rogers Roasters
Kenny Rogers Roasters was a fast-food chain that was popular in the 1990s. The chain was known for its rotisserie chicken dishes. However, the chain eventually fell out of favor with the public, and most of its locations were closed by the early 2000s.
16. G.D. Ritzy's
G.D. Ritzy's was a fast-food chain that was popular in the 1980s. The chain was known for its burgers and ice cream. However, the chain eventually fell out of favor with the public, and most of its locations were closed by the early 1990s.
17. Rax Roast Beef
Rax Roast Beef was a fast-food chain that was popular in the 1980s. The chain was known for its roast beef sandwiches. However, the chain eventually fell out of favor with the public, and most of its locations were closed by the early 2000s.
18. Lum's
Lum's was a hot dog and beer restaurant chain that was popular in the 1970s. The chain was known for its steamed hot dogs and beer-battered onion rings. However, the chain eventually fell out of favor with the public, and most of its locations were closed by the early 1980s.
19. Chock full o'Nuts
Chock full o'Nuts was a coffee shop chain that was popular in the 1960s. The chain was known for its coffee and pastries. However, the chain eventually fell out of favor with the public, and most of its locations were closed by the late 1970s.
20. Kenny King's
Kenny King's was a fast-food chain that was popular in the 1970s. The chain was known for its burgers and fries. However, the chain eventually fell out of favor with the public, and most of its locations were closed by the early 1990s.
21. Casa Bonita
Casa Bonita was a Mexican restaurant chain that was popular in the 1980s and 1990s. The chain was known for its elaborate decor and cliff divers. However, the chain eventually fell out of favor with the public, and most of its locations were closed by the early 2000s.
22. Der Weinerschnitzel
Der Weinerschnitzel was a hot dog chain that was popular in the 1970s and 1980s. The chain was known for its chili dogs and corn dogs. However, the chain eventually fell out of favor with the public, and most of its locations were closed by the early 2000s.
23. Red Barn
Red Barn was a fast-food chain that was popular in the 1960s and 1970s. The chain was known for its fried chicken and burgers. However, the chain eventually fell out of favor with the public, and most of its locations were closed by the early 1990s.
24. Furr's
Furr's was a cafeteria chain that was popular in the 1970s and 1980s. The chain was known for its comfort food and pies. However, the chain eventually fell out of favor with the public, and most of its locations were closed by the early 2000s.
25. Bishop's Buffet
Bishop's Buffet was a cafeteria chain that was popular in the 1970s and 1980s. The chain was known for its extensive buffet offerings. However, the chain eventually fell out of favor with the public, and most of its locations were closed by the early 2000s.
26. Burger Chef
Burger Chef was a fast-food chain that was popular in the 1960s and 1970s. The chain was known for its burgers and fries. However, the chain eventually fell out of favor with the public, and most of its locations were closed by the early 1980s.
27. El Torito
El Torito was a Mexican restaurant chain that was popular in the 1990s. The chain was known for its margaritas and fajitas. However, the chain eventually fell out of favor with the public, and most of its locations were closed by the early 2000s.
28. Burger Time
Burger Time was a fast-food chain that was popular in the 1960s and 1970s. The chain was known for its burgers and fries. However, the chain eventually fell out of favor with the public, and most of its locations were closed by the early 1990s.
29. Rutt's Hut
Rutt's Hut was a hot dog chain that was popular in New Jersey. The chain was known for its deep-fried hot dogs. However, the chain eventually fell out of favor with the public, and most of its locations were closed by the early 2000s.