1. Howard Johnson’s
Once synonymous with American roadside dining, Howard Johnson’s was a staple for families traveling in the 1960s and ‘70s, according to Cara J. Suppa from Food Republic. With over 1,000 locations at its peak, it was considered the largest restaurant chain in the U.S. at one point. But as fast food exploded and the brand failed to evolve, HoJo’s quickly started feeling like a relic. Stale menus and a dated image made it hard to keep up with the McDonald’s and Burger Kings of the world.
What really sealed the deal was management’s resistance to modernization. They clung to an old-school model while newer chains were reinventing convenience. Ownership changes didn’t help either; they just added confusion and inconsistency. The last Howard Johnson’s restaurant closed in 2022, ending the story of what was once an American icon.
2. Chi-Chi’s
Chi-Chi’s brought Mexican food to middle America before it was widely available elsewhere. It was a lively place known for chimichangas, margaritas, and that never-ending bowl of chips and salsa. But the chain’s downfall came fast after a 2003 hepatitis A outbreak in Pennsylvania tied to green onions, which killed four people and sickened hundreds. Public trust plummeted, and the brand never recovered.
At its peak, Chi-Chi’s had more than 200 restaurants in the U.S. and abroad. But within a year of the outbreak, its American locations were shuttered. The timing couldn’t have been worse, as it was already struggling financially. It is now planning on making a comeback this year, according to Scott Stump from TODAY, so hopefully, they’ve learned from past mistakes.
3. Bennigan’s
Bennigan’s once thrived as a pseudo-Irish pub with casual American fare, especially popular for its Monte Cristo sandwich. It was one of the first true “fern bar” chains, designed to feel cozy and hip with its dark wood and brass accents. But as consumer tastes shifted, Bennigan’s failed to refresh its concept or stand out from the growing sea of casual dining options. By 2008, the company filed for bankruptcy and abruptly closed hundreds of locations, according to Dennis Lee from The Takeout.
The brand had overextended itself with too many franchised locations that didn’t maintain consistent quality. That, combined with growing debt and weak management, made recovery impossible. A few franchise locations have limped along, but the core brand is a shadow of what it was. It’s now often used as a textbook example of how not to scale a restaurant chain.
4. Steak and Ale
Steak and Ale was founded in the 1960s and became a go-to for affordable “fancy” dining, with dim lighting, salad bars, and reasonably priced steaks. For a while, it worked — this was dining out for middle-class America before the rise of upscale casual. But as competition grew, the concept began to feel outdated and uninspired. The chain eventually folded in 2008 when its parent company, Metromedia, filed for bankruptcy, according to Kurt Suchman from The Takeout.
The salad bar gimmick didn’t hold up when newer competitors offered more modern experiences and fresher menus. Its decline was also due to mismanagement and a failure to attract younger diners. Some attempts have been made to revive the brand, but none have stuck. It remains a cautionary tale of how quickly customer expectations can shift.
5. Kenny Rogers Roasters
Started by country music legend Kenny Rogers in 1991, this rotisserie chicken chain had a surprisingly strong start. It gained pop culture fame after being featured on an episode of Seinfeld, which didn’t hurt. But while the chicken may have been decent, the chain lacked a clear niche in a crowded market. It couldn’t keep up with Boston Market, which had deeper pockets and more aggressive growth.
The U.S. locations fizzled out by the early 2000s, largely due to overexpansion and unclear branding, according to Ernie Smith from Tedium. It bounced through different ownership groups, none of which could reignite interest. Ironically, it still has a loyal following in parts of Asia, particularly Malaysia and the Philippines. In the U.S., though, it’s mostly remembered as a novelty.
6. Arthur Treacher’s Fish & Chips
Arthur Treacher’s was once a powerhouse in the 1970s with more than 800 locations across the country. The British-themed fish and chips shop brought fried cod and hush puppies to American diners in a way few had seen before. But high fish prices and a limited menu made it hard to stay relevant over time. Fast food giants like McDonald’s and Long John Silver’s quickly chipped away at its customer base.
Attempts to modernize the concept didn’t resonate, and many locations started cutting corners. Quality and consistency dropped, and so did public perception. As of now, only one Arthur Treacher’s remains — in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. It’s more a piece of nostalgia than a functioning chain.
7. Quiznos
Quiznos used to be the “toasty” alternative to Subway, offering oven-baked subs that actually had flavor. Their commercials were weird (remember those creepy sponge monkey mascots?), but they were memorable. At its peak in the mid-2000s, Quiznos had nearly 5,000 stores. But a toxic franchise model and rising food costs led to a massive implosion.
Franchisees accused the company of overcharging for supplies and giving poor support, leading to widespread closures. Customers also started noticing that prices were climbing but quality wasn’t keeping pace. In 2014, Quiznos filed for bankruptcy and has since closed thousands of locations. It’s still around in small pockets, but its heyday is clearly over.
8. Friendly’s
Friendly’s was the kind of place you went for a Fribble milkshake and a patty melt after a Little League game. It had a family-friendly vibe that was perfectly in tune with suburban life in the 1980s and ‘90s. But as newer chains popped up and service standards changed, Friendly’s failed to modernize. Long waits, aging décor, and inconsistent food pushed customers away.
The brand filed for bankruptcy twice, once in 2011 and again in 2020. Its dine-in model just couldn’t compete with faster, fresher options. A handful of locations still exist, but the chain’s presence has shrunk dramatically. It’s a reminder that nostalgia alone can’t keep a restaurant afloat.
9. Red Barn
Red Barn was one of the first fast-food chains to really go national in the 1960s. With its distinctive barn-shaped buildings and signature “Big Barney” burger, it found a loyal fan base. But poor leadership and a series of ownership changes spelled doom for the brand. By the early 1980s, all corporate locations were shut down.
The concept had potential, but the lack of reinvestment made it stale. Competitors like McDonald’s and Burger King were innovating, and Red Barn just couldn’t keep up. A few franchisees kept their stores going for a while, but none remain today. It’s now mostly remembered through Facebook nostalgia pages and fan groups.
10. Hot ‘n Now
Hot ‘n Now was built on speed and affordability, offering burgers for under a dollar in the early ‘90s. The drive-thru-only model was ahead of its time, and for a few years, it looked like a real contender. But aggressive expansion and poor quality control led to its quick decline. Food consistency was all over the place, and franchisees were left hanging.
It was eventually bought by PepsiCo and then sold again, which only added to the chaos. As locations dwindled, so did brand awareness. Only one location remains open today — in Sturgis, Michigan. It’s the fast-food equivalent of a ghost town.
11. Casa Bonita (Original Chain)
Casa Bonita was more than a restaurant — it was an experience, complete with cliff divers, puppet shows, and caves. The chain began in Oklahoma and spread into Colorado and other states. But while the flagship location in Denver achieved cult status, the rest of the chain couldn’t keep the magic going. High overhead and inconsistent food quality made it unsustainable.
By the early 2000s, all but the Denver location had closed. That one stayed alive largely due to its feature on South Park, which immortalized it for a new generation. Even it eventually shut down for renovations — only to be revived recently by the South Park creators themselves. The rest of the chain, though, serves as a warning about trying to scale experience-based dining.
12. Gino’s Hamburgers
Founded by NFL legend Gino Marchetti, Gino’s was a regional hit on the East Coast in the 1960s and ‘70s. The chain had a partnership with Kentucky Fried Chicken, so you could order both burgers and KFC under one roof. But by the ‘80s, the company sold to Marriott, which rebranded many locations as Roy Rogers. Customers didn’t react well to the shift.
It was a classic case of losing brand identity in a corporate shuffle. The unique charm that made Gino’s special got buried under a generic franchise model. A revival effort started in the 2010s, but it hasn’t scaled. Gino’s remains a memory for locals, not a national brand.
13. Sambo’s
Sambo’s grew rapidly in the ‘60s and ‘70s, with more than 1,100 locations at its peak. The name, derived from a children’s book, sparked criticism early on for its racial insensitivity. Instead of rebranding or addressing concerns, leadership doubled down — even decorating restaurants with imagery now considered highly offensive. That decision came back to haunt them.
As public pressure mounted in the 1980s, many locations were shut down or renamed. Legal and financial troubles piled on, and the brand never recovered. The last remaining Sambo’s, in California, changed its name in 2020. It’s a cautionary tale about the cost of ignoring social change.
14. Lums
Lums was famous for one very weird claim to fame: hot dogs steamed in beer. It started as a small Miami beach stand and eventually expanded to over 400 locations. But by the late ‘70s, tastes had changed and Lums didn’t keep up. The quirky menu wasn’t enough to maintain interest in an era of growing fast-food giants.
The company changed hands several times, including a brief ownership stint by the founders of Caesars Palace. None of the new owners were able to modernize the brand or expand its appeal. The last location closed in 2009, ending a long decline. Today, it’s remembered more as a trivia answer than a restaurant.
