All-Star Cafe
The Planet Hollywood-owned eatery has been on the list of everyone's favorites for the longest time. So, it was disheartening to see the sports-themed restaurant close down the shutters one after another. The last official store at the Walt Disney World location also stopped opening its shutters to its customers in 2007.
Andre Agassi and five athlete partners developed the Las Vegas Strip's Official All-Star Cafe, and it is sad to see them shutting down despite the best of efforts. We don't know whether they are planning to revive the business, do you?
Burger Chef
A good place that serves sumptuous burgers at great prices, well we love it at Delish.com. The once super successful burger chain, Burger Chef, kept us well-fed to the better part of the mid-1900s. They had as many as 1,200 locations, but the sudden boom and fortunes' turn made them shut down in 1981.
We can't help reminiscence over the good old days of binging on Burger Chefs signature dishes Big Shef and Super Shef hamburgers. It's sad to see a store closing down, which had at one time had 600 locations in 39 states in the USA. The wheels of fortunes certainly get to the best of us.
Burger Queen
The chain of restaurants, Burger Queen, started way back in Florida in the late 1950s. In 1963, Louisville businessman James Gannon brought his brothers George and John Clark to purchase the franchise rights and opened a chain of Burger Queen restaurants in their hometown.
The burger-eating joint offered some of the best delicious burgers, fried chicken, and salad. The chain of restaurants changed the name to Druther's. In the 1990s, most of the outposts changed into Dairy Queens, and the fresh competition gradually wiped out Burger Queen, and the chain stopped existing, gradually phasing out.
Beefsteak Charlie's
The 1900s was all about themed restaurants. There were other themed restaurants such as the racing-themed chain Beefsteak Charlie's. The restaurant established in 1910 used to boast of some amazing steak sandwich. Gradually, it started opening a chain of restaurants in 1976.
It had as many as 60 locations, and then things started going downhill for the restaurant, and finally, they shut down the door in 2009, much to the sadness of its die-hard fans. Most fans would say they don't serve steaks like Beefsteak Charlie's anymore, and we agree with that statement.
Carrols
Carrols was one of the most popular fast-food chains of restaurants established way back in the 1960s. There bright and yellow mascot beaming at customers beckoned the tired and hungry to taste their super amazing food. However, the once-thriving restaurant hit a new low yellow. A lot has changed since then. Most of Carrol's restaurant locations were converted to Burger King franchises in 1975, and the profitable stores were finally shuttered.
While Carrol's locations started getting defunct around the '80s, the parent company, Burger Kings, is ruling the roost. Well, you win some, you lose some, we guess.
Chicken George
Chicken George was a small joint at first, but it got very popular. Initially, the company was founded in Maryland. The company went into expansion. There were six stores, and the one at the Maryland location did win the popularity votes by a large margin.
The company had six restaurants in Baltimore, two in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, one in Washington D.C., and other franchise restaurants. It was once called "the highest-grossing single chicken outlet in the country" Sadly, in 1991, things changed for Chicken George as they had to seek the dissolution route as they went bankrupt.
Casa Bonita
The Oklahoma-based restaurant was right up there when it comes to serving Mexican fast-food eatery. The restaurant boasts of some amazing food, especially the fried bread drenched in honey known as sopapillas. It was the last word on deliciousness.
The chain's superlative chicken or beef plates attracted many customers, and they couldn't have enough for their succulent meat or sinful fries. It was sold and rebranded in 1993. Well, if you want to still at Casa Bonitas, you can taste the same at Lakewood, CO, their only existing location.
Chi-Chis
The Chi Chis fans were very sad when they learned that their favorite restaurant was permanently drawing their shutters down permanently in America. The Minnesota-based Mexican restaurant and salsa joint hit the bankruptcy roadblock. Not to forget, Chi-Chi's also went reeling under the most devastating hepatitis A outbreak in the history of the U.S.
Finally, there was hope in the form of help from Outback Steakhouse, who bought the restaurant's properties. Though the franchise no longer exists in the USA since 2004, it has operations in countries like Europe and the United Arab Emirates.
D'Lites
A restaurant that served healthy fast food, is that possible? Yeah, it sounds like a combination of oxymorons. Yes, going by their tagline, theirs was a restaurant that America needed at that time. Yes, this chain of restaurants brought about a health-conscious wave in the country.
What would you call a restaurant that serves a menu like lean beef, low-fat cheese, and high fiber buns? However, things didn't get the way the company had envisioned, and they had to file the bankruptcy in 1987. We would certainly want more of these types of restaurants or D-Elite for that matter. We certainly want our foods to be healthy as well as tasty.
Dee’s Drive-In
Whether you were a college student or wanted to cater to your late-night hunger pangs, nothing could help you quell your hunger pangs than Dee's Drive-in. Well, it looks like their business plan was just perfect. And they were successful for some time, at least.
Dee's Drive-In was the first choice for the students from the University of Utah students in the 1920s, and they began expanding like it was nobody's business. But, their golden run came to a grinding halt in the 1970s, and one by one, they started selling all their prime location to Hardee's.
Doggie Diner
Doggies Diner was one of the most iconic restaurants ever. No wonder their restaurant enjoyed 38 year-long runs. No mean feat that. Also, there were many takers for their juicy burgers, which sent you straight to gastronomical heaven.
Well, a lot of water has flown under the bridge since then, and Doggie Diner finally stopped existing in 1986. Things went downhill for Doggie Diner. The hamburger and hotdog joint closed down the shutters in 1986 after a long run as one of the most popular restaurants. Tough luck!
Geri’s Hamburgers
Geri's Hamburgers, the Illinois-based fast-food burger chain, is very similar to McDonald's. It was first advertised as a take-out joint but then started offering people seating too.
Although they had plans to expand further before their big plans could be realized, the corporation folded. Some of their branches existed independently, but finally, in 1999, they put their shutters down on the last shop. It is a pity because we would certainly love to taste some of the burgers they served at Geri's. Well, it certainly changed the way for more such takeaway joints.
Gino's Hamburgers
The dream team of Colts captain Gino Marchetti, Joe Campanella, Louis Fisher, and Alan Ameche started the joint way back in 1959. Theirs was a chain of restaurants that expanded to 359 locations. But their enterprises were cut short by Marriott Corporation, who bought the company in 1982, and it got a rehauling of the brand and named Roy Rogers Restaurants.
The final Gino's put its shutters down in 1986. A new group of restaurants under Gino's name, including bringing on board some of the original chain's principals, began operating in 2010.
Heap Big Beef
Heap Big Beef was one of the real fast-food chains from the mid-1960s and went on to last the entire decade till the 1970s. Yeah, you could even find one in your home town, and most people remember their sumptuous roast beef sandwiches.
Their journey rounded off in the '70s, as their good fortune ended. Some of their dishes were popular such as the Heap Big Beef, namely, the ham, fish, or corned beef sandwich. Some of the other signature dishes are warrior burgers, a Shawnee shake, or a pawnee pie.
Henry’s Hamburgers
The '50s and '60s saw a restaurant chain making its presence felt in the food business. It was a chain of restaurants that now turned into a singular outpost. The Chicago-based eatery had everyone go ga-ga over their burgers and fries in the 50s and 60s.
But the crowd adulation, however, did not stop the restaurants from closing. However, there is only one that remains in Chicago. How about grabbing one of their sinfully rich cheeseburgers on the way to a road trip to Chicago? Well, we are certainly up for it.
Howard Johnson's
Howard Johnson's has some of the most delicious foods ever, right from the delicious clams, chicken pot pies, baked beans, and ice cream. Theirs was one of the first restaurants that boast of sit-down fast-food joints. It was founded in the 1920s, and there were as many as 200 stores by the end of World War II.
But things started getting dramatically different as more and more fast-food restaurants started crowding the restaurant landscape. Well, you won't find any more Howard Johnson's anymore, unfortunately. We wish it wasn't the case, though. We wish we could taste their delicious clams once again.
La Petite Boulangerie
The crowd-favorite 1977 fast-food bakery chain expanded to almost 140 locations across America's length and breadth. However, with its changing fortunes, its owners also changed and were bought by PepsiCo in 1982, and Mrs. Fields Original Cookies bought the same in 1987.
However, the constant chopping and changing didn't change its fate, though it finally pulled its last shutter down in 2000. We are sad to see the end of it, though. Right from its fancy name to its shelves laden with the most sumptuous desserts, it was amazing from the word to go.
Little Tavern
We saw the back of the last Little Tavern way back in 2008. Before things started going bad for them, D.C, Maryland-, and Virginia-based chains sold hamburgers. Their look was typified with their castle design.
While you can't get your hands on a Little Tavern burger anymore, you can try burgers from other restaurants, such as White Castles. The chain of restaurants' original slogan was "Buy 'em by the bag," and it even promised Cold Drinks and good coffee. They mostly had a small seating arrangement and offered takeaways.
Lum's
You could get everything here right from Hot dogs to steamed in beer? When the going was good, customers couldn't stop trooping in to taste their delectable hot dogs. But tough luck on the Miami-based restaurant as Lum's had to file for bankruptcy eventually closed its shutters down in 1983.
We aren't too sure they are coming back for round two soon, although talking about Lum's makes us crave for their mean pretzel dog beer cheese dip right now! Nothing holds a candle to this sumptuous preparation. Tough luck on us, we suppose.
Milligan's Beefy Burgers
We were sad to see the last of the Florida fast-food drive-through chain shutting down. Everyone in the city of Jacksonville loved it for sure. However, there weren't many locations to call it a chain in the real sense of the word. There were 10 locations to be exact at its peak time.
But competition in McDonald's and Burger King finally put an end to this popular joint. It was the year 1974 when the shops were shut down once and for all. It is tough to survive the tough competitive market.
Mighty Casey's
With a name like Mighty Casey, things will only get better and more mighty than ever. Mighty Casey's, found its roots in the city of Atlanta, GA, that promised quality eats.
The menu varied, and customers crowded the restaurants to taste their Grand Slam Hamburger's delectable fare and the Chopped Barbecue Sandwich. Krystal bought the restaurant in 1944. Au revoir to one of the most popular restaurants that promised tasty fare that you wouldn't get anywhere else. We are sad to see the Mighty fall. We mean the Mighty Casey fall.
Naugles
We have the famous Taco Bell, but many years back, we had the Naugles to keep us from getting famished. It was truly food for our tummies and soul, and if you are someone who loves Mexican food, then this was the exact place to go. The joint did enjoy a long run from 1970, to 1995.
However, to all Naugels fans there, it was rebooted in 2015 when the original trademark expired. The new and revamped Naugles could be found at several locations in California. Aren't we glad there has been a reboot?
Pizza Haven
Who does not love pizza? Very few people. No wonder the Seattle slice used to bring a lot of joy for most people. It used the slogan dial-a-pizza, and Pizza Haven could cater to your delivery for pizza needs. The successful Seattle-based chain expanded and how at one time they had almost 42 restaurants.
Unfortunately, things didn't go down and initially planned, and they declared bankruptcy in 1998. Only one of the stores remained, and the rest of the stores pulled down their shutters in 2012. Sad, we say.
Pumper Nic
This fast-food sandwich joint hails from Argentina and started way back in the '70s and '80s. But, as it happened for most restaurant chains, the competition as McDonald's and Burger King.
Pumper Nic was a popular chain of fast-food restaurants in Argentina that existed way back in the 1970s and 1980s. In Argentina, it is popular as a cult classic. It gets its name from German pumpernickel, a type of bread. Pumper Nic's most famous sandwich was the Mobur, a unique egg sandwich. The other famous menu item was Dos for Uno, Frenys, Jaque, and Jaque'H.
Pup ‘N’ Taco
If you love the combination of hot dogs and tacos, then you could have got the same at Pup' N' Taco. They began their business way back in 1956, and things went great for some time, at least.
But things changed in 1984 as Taco Bell bought out as many as 99 of the restaurants, and in 2010 the Pup' N' Taco outposts went on to close down their shops one after the other. Sad state of affairs that, because we think there couldn't be a better combination in foodie heaven than hot dogs and tacos. What do you think?
Red Barn
With a name like that, it would be shaped like a barn and will be red. The Red Barn or the Ohio chain flourished big time. And that over 300 barns were mushrooming all over the country.
They served delicious burgers and help-yourself-salads. But even after doing well initially, it repeatedly changed hands, and finally, the chain closed shop in 1988. The burgers we heard were to die for! Sad that they had to close down after experiencing major success at the onset. We are hoping they will make a comeback soon. We are certainly hoping they would.
Royal Castle
Royal Castle's hamburgers were meant 'Fit for a king!' The joint was famous primarily for mini hamburgers. The birch beer was divided into small portions.
The Miami-based chain did well and expanded to 175 locations. After it was bought way back in 1969, things didn't look up for this chain of joint. In 1975, the company experienced liquidation, and while most of the shops stopped functioning, one joint in Miami survived. Well, we would certainly like to taste the sumptuous hamburger if we ever give Miami a visit.
Steak & Ale
If you are a fan of Chili's, you would be glad to know that they opened Steak & Ale way back in 1966. Well, the restaurant chain was performing well. They were thriving, in fact, and found their place in as many as 280 locations.
Their steakhouse filet priced at just $1.95 was a hit! But they met the same fate as most other chains of restaurants during that time and failed to make a place in the restaurant market and eventually stopped fighting altogether in 2008. Sad, we say!
Sandy's
A group of four friends founded Sandy's, a fast-food joint on the same lines as Mc Donalds. Customers were initially drawn to it because of their family-owned vibes, but inflation and competition finally caught up with them, and they had to join Hardee's chain.
The name changed to Hardee's, and the original Sandy's stopped to exist. Another great joint bites the dust, and we aren't too happy about it! Their amazing menu and the ambiance attracted eager customers by droves. Fate had other things in plan for the four friends!
Sambo's
Sambo's was one of the most controversial restaurants ever. Be it overhype or word-of-mouth, nothing could save the restaurant from closing down shutters in 1982. The chain of restaurants was plagued by many controversies and lawsuits, which led to its final undoing. One thousand one hundred seventeen stores shut shop.
Continuous name-changing finally led to its downfall, and the company filed for bankruptcy in 1981. Most of the locations were sold off. However, there is one Sambo's that still exists. We would certainly like to visit it one day to know what made it tick in its prime years.
Taco Viva
Those who grew up in Miami back in the 80s would certainly remember the iconic food chain, Taco Viva. The restaurant was a major Mexican food outlet that came into being in 1953. Such were the investments that Taco Viva eventually expanded to no less than 85 locations, and spread across a total of 11 states!
Sadly, the restaurant met its untimely demise after few rounds of being sold and bought. Though it wasn’t as ubiquitous as the present Taco Bell, of course, it had its own legacy.
Tops Drive Inn
With dining choices being quite limited in the mid-1950s at the Fairfax Circle, Tops Drive-Inn was a much preferred joint. In 1953, the Arlington, Virginia-based drive-in zone had an innovative concept while it attracted customers aplenty. Someone goes to take the order and then returns with the food. This was a rarity back then.
Eventually, the restaurant made many earnings after it expanded to 18 locations in the DC region. Later on, this merged with Gino’s Hamburgers in 1967. As a result, almost all the locations were either rebranded or sold off.
Two Pesos
A popular Tex-Mex restaurant chain based in Texas, US- this one opened in Houston in 1982. Retaining an uncanny resemblance to Taco Cabana, Two Pesos, however, was unique. The brand never felt it essential to compete in the home market of Taco’s origin point, San Antonio. Strangely, Two Pesos got sold off to Taco Cabana in 1993.
It is said that there was a trade dress suit that occurred before the Supreme Court of the US, where the chain lost. Maybe, the financial advisor also didn’t come of help much! The owners hence followed the judgment.
Wags
Walgreens might be a known territory to most, but have you heard about Wags? When it comes to casual dining, or let’s say family restaurants, Wag’s was indeed an enviable name. Operated and owned by Walgreens back in the 1970s and 80s, it was modeled on famous eateries like Shoney’s, Denny’s, and Big Boy.
Wags was based on few smaller restaurants that functioned well in few Walgreens stores. Perhaps the chain couldn’t amass much in the bank accounts, resulting which it sold off few locations and was nowhere in sight around the 1990s.
Wetson’s
There was a time when a burger and French fry combo occurred for only 25 cents! Watson's made it possible. The period from 1959 to 1975 saw the chain having no less than 70 locations. Things started to fall apart after competitors like McDonald's and Burger King usurped it all.
Watson's grew much for its signature dish- Big W, alongside 10-cent fries, 15-cent burgers, and even catchy slogans and phrases like 'Buy a Bagful' pot 'Look for the Orange Circles.' Possibly there were a lot of loans and the chain cold to Nathan's Famous Inc and then closed.
White Tower Hamburgers
At Milwaukee, Wisconsin, White Tower Hamburgers did great business and filled up banks with whatever it accumulated after its discovery in 1926. With time, the chain became so popular that it expanded to several other cities like Detroit, Cleveland, Pittsburg, Philadelphia, New York City, Indianapolis, Chicago, Richmond, Virginia, and far off south Sarasota, Florida.
Believe it or not, the Great Depression was a time when the chain sold hamburgers for 5 cents! Apart from the weird pricing, the interior decor in white and staff dressed as nurses (towerettes) were standout features. In 2004, it closed down.
Wimpy’s Grill
In 1934, this burger chain has its headquarters in Indiana was a popular joint. By the way, not many know this but the restaurant got its name after being inspired by the famous ‘Popeye!’. Wimpy’s was actually the brand name of a multinational chain of few fast-food restaurants that took many foodies by delight after it unveiled casual dining styles.
Based in Chicago, the menu primarily consisted of hamburgers, chips (fries), grilled fishes, breakfast items, beverages, and more. The owner died and sadly, the chain didn’t have much savings to pull through.
Winky’s
This was a family-owned chain that started off their business in Pennsylvania. The family started off initially as a meat company. Brothers Harold and Bernard Erenstein were credited to have been the founding fathers of this chain. They made great investments, thanks to the chain’s success story. In 1977, the chain had about 42 stores.
Sadly, when the economy took a sad turn, Winky’s filed for bankruptcy in 1982. We still can’t get over the famous slogans like ‘Winky’s Makes You Happy to be Hungry’, ‘Fast Food Cheap’ and more.
VIPs
Often called VIPs, the store operated from 1968 till the late 1980s. Based in Salem, Oregon, VIPs was, in fact, one of the largest restaurant chains known. A coffee-styled shop, the Midwestern restaurant flaunted about 53 standalone stores. By 1982, the store sold off 35 shops to Denny’s. Naturally, things went downhill for a store that had a legacy of its own.
Though the coffee shop transformed into a casual dining place, the selling continued for some time, and eventually, when the loans couldn’t be repaid, VIPs became defunct in 1989.
Yankee Doodle Dandy
Somehow this name makes us get into that famous and ‘spontaneous’ song mode! Or that 1942 movie, if you remember? But this is more than that. A Chicago-based restaurant chain famous for serving burgers and several fast foods in the 70sa is no longer in existence.
Dandy had expanded to 25 locations, and they had a business booming back then. Just when the 80s struck, the shop hit hard times. The earnings proved futile to keep up with the rising expenses, and the chain suddenly out a ‘closed’ sign forever.
Chooks Fresh & Tasty
If you are an Australian and a big-time fan of barbecued as well as fried chicken, you certainly have heard about Chooks Fresh & Tasty. They lay the foundation stone of the restaurant in the year 1991.
It turned out to be one of the iconic eateries in Western Australia and enjoyed a huge fan following all across Australia. It looked like a fantastic investment. There were 34 branches of the eatery Down Under. However, they later renamed the brand Chicken Treat, another fast-food chain in Australia in the year 2010.
Valle’s Steak House
Valle’s Steak House started running probably in 1933 and used to operate around the East Coast. Valle’s could never go wrong in delivering the delicious lobsters and steaks, and thereby, it carved a special place in the hearts of the food lovers there.
It was also known to strike a fabulous deal with a Chicago slaughterhouse. If the reports are correct, 3600 people used to work at Valle’s Steak House at one point in time. The earnings were normally high for the owners. However, the mistake of business expansion hurt them badly, and the last restaurant pulled its shutter down in 2000.
Kenny Rogers Roasters
You know Kenny Rogers, the iconic singer, don’t you? Well, once, he had an idea to open a restaurant that would specialize in rotisserie chicken. He joined hands with John Y. Brown, the KFC mogul, and launched Kenny Rogers Roasters in 1991.
The brand soon had an expansion and opened outlets at 425 locations. However, things didn’t work out despite Kenny’s fame and it declared bankruptcy in 1998 after Nathan’s bought it. However, the restaurant still boasts of over 100 locations in the Asian continent. That’s great stuff!
Minnie Pearl’s Chicken
Minnie Pearl, the famous country singer, decided to invest in this chicken chain back in the 60s decade. The business flourished within no time, and the brand had its chains in almost 500 locations throughout the country.
However, poor management, overexpansion, and encounters with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission owing to irregularities in accounting proved fatal, and thereby, the brand soon met its fate. Minnie Pearl’s went out of existence in the latter half of the 60s decade. This was indeed unfortunate and also disheartening for the food lovers.
The All-American Burger
The All-American Burger enjoyed a loyal fan following. The chain was quite successful that it also featured in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, the classic teen flick from the 80s decade. The chain rose in prominence during the 70s decade, and its burgers were mouth-watering.
Surprisingly, the company had to hire the services of a bankruptcy lawyer in the initial half of the 80s decade. No one knows what went wrong, but the fact that it doesn’t exist anymore is itself saddening for sure. The last eatery pulled its shutters down in the year 2010.
Bob’s Big Boy
Bob’s Big Boy’s mascot attained iconic status. The brand was launched in California’s Glendale in the latter half of the 40s decade. Soon enough, it became a legendary landmark on almost all the highways throughout the United States. The unique selling points were the atmosphere and, of course, the double-decker burgers, which stole all hearts.
With time, the owners raked in enough earnings. However, there came a point when the band suffered a setback and the outlets began to close down. Today, it has bare existence with only 5 chains open in Southern California.
Ponderosa and Bonanza Steakhouse
When you talk about steakhouses, the names of Ponderosa and Bonanza are bound to crop up. The buffet-style eateries were owned by Homestyle Dining LLC, which had its base in Texas’ Plano. The buffet used to serve the customers soup, hot food, salad, and dessert aside from chicken, seafood, and steak.
The brands once boasted of numerous locations across the United States. However, either owing to bankruptcy or any other unknown reason, Ponderosa and Bonanza Steakhouse experienced a loss in business and had to close down its operations at various locations. Right now, there are 20.
Charlie Brown’s
Charlie Brown used to be one of the finest steakhouse chains and was in New Jersey. The chain was not so well-known among the food lovers across America as its outlets only in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Three businessmen made investments and laid the foundation stone in the year 1966. After doing some good business for four decades, the company went bankrupt in the year 2010. Outlets at 40 locations had to be shut down. CB Restaurants Inc. has plans to acquire 20 locations of Charlie Brown’s.
Nedick’s
Nedick's began its operations in the year 1913 and opened its first outlet in New York City. The business boomed throughout the 50s decade, helping the owners pile on a hefty sum in their bank account. Aside from New York, the brand opened its outlets in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Washington D.C., and Maryland.
They kick-started their journey by selling orange drinks. With time, they added donuts, hot dogs, and coffee to the list. Gradually, McDonald’s and Dunkin’ Donuts came up and posed stiff competition for Nedick’s. Eventually, it went into oblivion in 1981.
ShowBiz Pizza Place
ShowBiz Pizza Palace was a hot favorite with the kids, and parents had to cope with their demands to take them to the nearby outlet now and then. Aside from pizza, the outlets also had several rides and arcade games that caught the little ones' fancy.
The first outlet of ShowBiz Pizza Place came up in Missouri’s Kansas City in the year 1980. Chuck E. Cheese made investments in the brand and acquired all the eateries, starting from 1988 till 1992. If you are an 80s kid, you might recall those days when the brand was a rage.
Steve’s Ice Cream
An accidental combination of a health bar and ice-cream provided Steve Herrell with a brilliant idea. He changed the way people looked at desserts when he came up with his first ice-cream parlor in Somerville in 1973. His ideas inspired several products such as Dairy Queen's Blizzard and gourmet ice-cream that you gorge on today.
Cold Stone Creamery, Ben & Jerry’s, and Amy’s Ice Creams were among those brands that took a cue from Steve. However, the ice-cream chain pulled down its shutters in the 90s decade. Did Steve’s savings account take a hit? The reason is not known.
Fashion Cafe
Tommaso and Francesco Buti were held for fraud, and thus the business soon wrapped up for them. The first major outlet came up in Manhattan in the year 1995. Banking on the fish and chips recipe from supermodel, Naomi Campbell, fashion Cafe was doing quite well.
When the Versaces visited the outlet for a cocktail, the incident was marketed well. However, nothing worked out in favor of the brand and the two brothers. By the year 2020, it was over. The concepts didn’t work as expected, said the experts. Fashion doesn’t go with food actually.
ESPN Zone
The 1996 prototype of the ESPN zone boasted of television screens that were spread across a whopping 13,000 square feet. But things became quite outlandish later on in the restaurants that were owned by none other than Disney.
There was every other attraction such as couch potato competitions, a huge area for games, 200 television screens, etc., except food. Food took a backseat here. Therefore, Disney started pulling down the shutters in the year 2010. The recession might have been the reason why they chose not to go ahead with further investments.
Chicken George
The fast-food brand built its outlets at six locations over 12 years. Theodore Holmes, the founder, invested a small amount and developed the items on the menu. He also emphasized the quality.
The menu comprised fish and chips, chicken, biscuits, greens, various soul foods, etc. The chain featured in Roots, the 1977 miniseries on the ABC network. However, as fate would have it, the brand was sold twice before the owner declaring bankruptcy in the year 1991. Sadly, Chicken George couldn’t hold its sway for long.
Don Pablo’s
It was a Tex-Mex band that enjoyed a fantastic run right from when the first outlet came up in 1985. In its prime time, the brand had 120 stores. The menu was pretty normal with salsa, tortillas, chimichangas, and burritos.
The eateries were quite attractive, and visitors felt like they were in an old village in Mexico. Some even took it for a movie studio as well. Luck didn't favor Don Pablo's for long, though. There were quite a few owners who took charge of the brand, but all of them had to appoint a bankruptcy attorney.
Royal Canadian Pancake House
Royal Canadian Pancake House was based in New York City. It was a small chain but enjoyed a loyal fan following. The menu didn't have much to do with Canadian breakfast, though. The chain was popular for its delicious pancakes that were identical in size to a large pizza.
The other attractions on the menu were Womlette and the Canadian Cracker. However, the owner was charged with the violation of ethics and as a result, the chain had to shut down in 1998. There is no news of an investment from others yet.
G.D. Ritzy’s Luxury Grill and Ice Creams
Everything about G.D. Ritzy's Luxury grill and Ice Creams was so striking that it would have taken you to the Gatsby era. Even the meals for the kids used to be served in cardboard convertibles. It was cool. The chain had its outlets at 120 locations and was popular for its burgers, fried, chocolate shakes, as well as its PB&J.
Ritzy's experienced a rapid expansion and was a huge success. Many were shocked to know that the brand has decided to shut its stores and that too, without any explanation. Was it bankruptcy that forced them to shut down? No one knows for sure. Three of the stores stand till today, though.
The Original House of Pies
This one came up in 1965. The Houston-based brand had a mesmerizing look to all its stores. The appearance was completely out of the world, and so was its menu. Their pies were so tasty that the experience was nothing short of heavenly.
In total, eight franchisees filed a lawsuit in the 70s decade that required the owner to empty the banks. As a result, the company stopped its operations in the year 1986. The good news is that four independent locations are still under operation and that too in Houston.
Koo Koo Roo
Two restaurateurs from Los Angeles made investments and laid the foundation stone of Koo Koo Roo I in 1998. The chain was famous for its high-quality chicken that promised low calories. That was much in contrast with the others who focused on fried chicken.
High rent, as well as cut-throat completion, spelled doom for the brand and in the year 2003, the owners revealed that they were bankrupt. None came forward to pick up the business from there. Possibly, that would have been a saving grace, but nothing positive happened in the later years.
Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse
Food lovers still remember the name of Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse. It was all the more famous for the adult beverages it served. However, it wasn’t meant to last forever, as the chain declared bankruptcy in 2010.
One by one, all the 30 locations were shut down by the time 2016 arrived. Kids too maintained a distance from the brand, and that might have led to its downfall. However, Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse is still fresh in the memories of many. Maybe some owner would want to revive it one fine day.