The 20 Worst Failed Restaurant Chains That Nobody Misses

[Elderberry]

Definition.org Photos | January 12, 2017 | By Brian Delpozo

In the last several decades, restaurant franchises have become a major part of American consumer culture. Chains like Outback, Friday’s, Applebee’s, Chili’s, Red Robin, and others dominate highway and mall locations.

However, seemingly for every success story, there are countless failed chains. Some reached great heights before plummeting down to earth, while others were never able to truly get off the ground.

Pull up a seat, open the menu, and let’s look at some defunct restaurant chains you might not even remember.



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[Wingnut]

I actually enjoyed Steak And Ale back in the 70's and early 80's.   

[Elderberry]

I actually enjoyed Steak And Ale back in the 70's and early 80's.

I liked it too.

[Cyber Liberty]

I liked Burger Chef.  They had "Fun Meals" before McDonald's did.

Jeff:  "Incrediburgable Burger Chef!!"  Good times!

[truth_seeker]

Sambos since 1957, continues (at least) in Santa Barbara, CA

[Elderberry]

I liked Burger Chef.  They had "Fun Meals" before McDonald's did.

Jeff:  "Incrediburgable Burger Chef!!"  Good times!

I sure ate a lot of their 15 cent burgers.

[Frank Cannon]

Failure to adapt to the industry’s changes, competition from other fast-food burger chains, and a controversy involving the use of horse meat are all cited as potential factors of the chain’s rapid downfall.

I'm thinking the horse meat was the only potential factor.

[roamer_1]

The only one on that whole list I have ever seen is the A&W Drive-In, of which there is one, just north of here toward Glacier Park. Been there many a time, and as far as I know, it is still there.

[Wingnut]

Failure to adapt to the industry’s changes, competition from other fast-food burger chains, and a controversy involving the use of horse meat are all cited as potential factors of the chain’s rapid downfall.

I'm thinking the horse meat was the only potential factor.

So you really couldn't see the jokey's whip marks on the meat?

[Elderberry]

I always liked the A&W Drive-ins. I remember there was one on HW 146 south of Kemah and one in Galveston.


The Big Boy restaurants, I remember, were Shoney's.

[skeeter]

Sambos since 1957, continues (at least) in Santa Barbara, CA

Been to that one - Sambos is great.

Bobs Super Big Boy was killer. Bennigans was a decent after work hangout in the eighties.

My vote for worst goes to Boston Market. I don't know if they're all closed but they ought to be.

[Wingnut]

Weren't there a bunch of Roy Rogers that went belly up in the 80's?  I ate at one out west several times.   They weren't bad.  They served a "Trigger" burger. 

[RoosGirl]

You haven't lived unless you had the pleasure of vacationing at a Howard Johnson's.

[Frank Cannon]

You haven't lived unless you had the pleasure of vacationing at a Howard Johnson's.

Vacationing? You're not supposed to do that. You just stopped there on your way to somewhere else to eat and sleep.

[RoosGirl]

Vacationing? You're not supposed to do that. You just stopped there on your way to somewhere else to eat and sleep.

There used to be one right across the street from the beach in Juno.  I never stayed there, but as a kid we had a group that would meet up regularly there for ice cream.  I bet it was the cheapest place in the state to stay beachside.

[Wingnut]

Vacationing? You're not supposed to do that. You just stopped there on your way to somewhere else to eat and sleep.

You know she hoarded Pecan Logs from Stucky's too.  Prolly still has a few under her bed.

[Frank Cannon]

You know she hoarded Pecan Logs from Stucky's too.  Prolly still has a few under her bed.

LOL. I forgot about those. They were disgusting.



Are Stuckey's still around?

[RoosGirl]

LOL. I forgot about those. They were disgusting.



Are Stuckey's still around?

With my recent trip through Georgia I can confirm that they are.

[Cyber Liberty]

Weren't there a bunch of Roy Rogers that went belly up in the 80's?  I ate at one out west several times.   They weren't bad.  They served a "Trigger" burger.

Sheer marketing genius.

[Frank Cannon]

With my recent trip through Georgia I can confirm that they are.

So did you stock up on "Southern Hospitality"?

[DCPatriot]

Failure to adapt to the industry’s changes, competition from other fast-food burger chains, and a controversy involving the use of horse meat are all cited as potential factors of the chain’s rapid downfall.

I'm thinking the horse meat was the only potential factor.

OMG!   I've been triggered.   
Back when I was boy of 10-12, we'd ride a couple of miles from home to go to Henry's.  Fifteen cent burgers!!

Found out later that year that several of our friends were having some sexual contact with the middle-aged woman manager. 

...while I was too busy playing baseball.

[RoosGirl]

So did you stock up on "Southern Hospitality"?

Seriously?  That shit is made from trash pecans and intended solely for northerners to take back home to their friends and family.

[Frank Cannon]

Seriously?  That shit is made from trash pecans and intended solely for northerners to take back home to their friends and family.

Didn't know there was a good pecan.

[RoosGirl]

Didn't know there was a good pecan.

You're a northerner, of course you don't.

[dfwgator]

You haven't lived unless you had the pleasure of vacationing at a Howard Johnson's.

Did you go to the original?