Back in Time Today
Remember those glorious ’70s restaurants where families gathered for all-you-can-eat specials and waiters wore funky uniforms? Many chains that defined that era have vanished from American highways and strip malls. Some fell victim to changing tastes, while others collapsed from poor management decisions or food safety disasters. Take a nostalgic journey through these once-mighty dining empires and discover the surprising reasons behind their downfall.
1. Howard Johnson’s Orange Roofs Fade Away
Once America’s largest restaurant chain with over 1,000 locations, HoJo’s distinctive orange roofs dotted highways everywhere. Families flocked for their 28 ice cream flavors and fried clam strips.
The chain’s downfall began when they refused to adapt to the fast-food revolution. While McDonald’s and Burger King streamlined operations, Howard Johnson’s clung to full-service dining with outdated decor.
The final nail came when corporate owners repeatedly sold the brand, stripping its identity with each transaction. The last restaurant closed in 2022, leaving only the name on a few motor lodges.
2. Steak and Ale’s Tudor-Style Troubles
Founded by restaurant legend Norman Brinker, Steak and Ale revolutionized casual dining with its affordable steaks and salad bar in a cozy English pub atmosphere. The chain grew to 280 locations by the early ’80s.
But the innovative concept that once seemed fresh grew stale. The dark wood paneling and stained glass that felt sophisticated in 1970 looked dated by the 1990s. Newer competitors like Outback Steakhouse stole their thunder with fresher concepts.
The parent company’s 2008 bankruptcy forced all locations to close overnight. A 2023 revival attempt in Mexico has sparked hopes for a comeback.
3. Chi-Chi’s Deadly Outbreak
Remember those sombrero-shaped buildings where servers brought steaming chimichangas and sang birthday songs? Chi-Chi’s introduced many Americans to Tex-Mex cuisine when it launched in 1975.
Competition from more authentic Mexican restaurants gradually eroded Chi-Chi’s market position. Yet the chain might have survived if not for the catastrophic 2003 hepatitis A outbreak linked to their green onions.
The disaster sickened over 650 people and killed four, instantly destroying consumer trust. Already in bankruptcy, Chi-Chi’s never recovered in America. The brand survives only in Europe and as a grocery store salsa line.
4. Burger Chef’s Innovation Wasn’t Enough
Burger Chef pioneered fast-food innovations we now take for granted. Their “Works Bar” let customers add their own toppings decades before “have it your way” became popular. They even invented the kids’ meal with toy – the Fun Meal – before McDonald’s copied it with the Happy Meal.
At their peak, 1,200 locations challenged McDonald’s for fast-food supremacy. What went wrong? Corporate turmoil and an identity crisis.
General Foods sold the chain to Hardee’s parent company in 1982, who promptly converted most locations. The last Burger Chef closed in 1996, leaving only memories and a brief appearance in the TV show “Mad Men.”
5. Arthur Treacher’s Fish & Chips Sunk by Fish Wars
Named after a British character actor, Arthur Treacher’s brought English-style fish and chips to America in 1969. Their crispy cod in secret batter served with malt vinegar became an instant hit, growing to over 800 locations by mid-decade.
Then came the “Cod Wars” – international fishing disputes between Iceland and Britain that sent cod prices soaring 200%. The chain switched to cheaper pollock, but customers noticed the difference.
By the time prices stabilized, the damage was done. New owners tried everything from adding chicken to pizza, but nothing worked. Today, just three locations survive in Ohio, with a few others inside Nathan’s Famous hot dog shops.
6. Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour’s Party Fizzled Out
Walking into Farrell’s meant sensory overload – employees in striped vests and straw hats, player piano music, and the famous “Zoo” sundae delivered with sirens blaring. This 1940s-themed ice cream parlor chain expanded to 130 locations during the ’70s.
Parent company Marriott sold the chain in 1971, beginning a series of ownership changes that diluted the concept. New owners cut costs by eliminating the elaborate presentations that made Farrell’s special.
By the 1980s, standalone ice cream parlors faced competition from cheaper mall options. A brief revival in the 2010s captured nostalgia but couldn’t sustain profits. The last location closed in 2019, ending a sweet chapter in restaurant history.
7. Shakey’s Pizza’s Music Stopped Playing
Shakey’s wasn’t just about pizza – it was entertainment. Families gathered around long tables to watch employees toss dough while live banjo players performed ragtime music. Founded in 1954, the chain peaked with 500+ locations during the ’70s.
The downfall began when the original owners sold to Colorado Milling and Elevator. New management eliminated the live music that made Shakey’s unique, turning it into just another pizza place.
Franchisee lawsuits over forced menu changes and territory disputes accelerated the decline. While Shakey’s has virtually disappeared from America, the brand thrives internationally, especially in the Philippines where over 100 locations serve pizza to enthusiastic fans.
8. Beefsteak Charlie’s Unlimited Booze Backfired
“I’ll feed you like there’s no tomorrow!” promised Beefsteak Charlie’s commercials. This New York-based chain offered an unheard-of deal: unlimited salad bar, shrimp, and – most remarkably – unlimited beer and wine with every meal.
The all-you-can-drink alcohol policy created a party atmosphere that initially packed restaurants. However, it attracted customers more interested in drinking than eating, straining profits.
The chain expanded too quickly across the Northeast, reaching 60 locations. When the recession hit in the early 1980s, the unsustainable business model collapsed. Bankruptcy followed in 1987, and attempts to revive the brand without unlimited alcohol failed. The last location closed quietly in 2009.
9. Lum’s Beer-Steamed Hot Dogs Lost Their Sizzle
The signature item at Lum’s was hot dogs steamed in beer, served in a setting that felt like a quaint pub. Founded by the Pearlman brothers in Miami, this humble hot dog stand grew to over 400 locations nationwide during the ’70s.
The chain’s fortunes changed when Kentucky Fried Chicken founder Colonel Sanders convinced restaurateur John Y. Brown to buy Lum’s in 1971 for $4 million. Brown soon lost interest and sold to a Swiss holding company.
With owners focused on other ventures (including the purchase of the Ollieburger recipe for $1 million), Lum’s lost direction. Bankruptcy followed in 1983, and the last location closed in Bellevue, Nebraska in 1995.
10. Gino’s Hamburgers: When Football Stars Fumbled Food
Founded by Baltimore Colts football stars Gino Marchetti and Alan Ameche, Gino’s combined sports celebrity power with fast food. Their “Sirloiner” sandwich and Kentucky Fried Chicken (they were early KFC franchisees) helped them expand to 359 locations across the East Coast.
Sports fame brought customers initially, but maintaining restaurant quality proved harder than winning football games. The chain struggled to differentiate from competitors beyond their founders’ fame.
Marriott Corporation bought Gino’s in 1982 for $48.6 million, converting most locations to Roy Rogers restaurants. A 2010 revival attempt led to a handful of “Gino’s Burgers & Chicken” locations in Maryland and Pennsylvania, but these too gradually disappeared.
11. The Magic Pan’s Crepe Craze Went Flat
Imagine revolving crepe griddles where chefs created paper-thin pancakes filled with everything from beef stroganoff to strawberries and cream. The Magic Pan turned French crepes into a full-service dining concept that expanded to over 100 locations nationwide.
Founded by Hungarian immigrants in San Francisco, the chain thrived in upscale shopping malls during the ’70s and early ’80s. Quaker Oats purchased the concept and expanded aggressively.
The delicate crepes that seemed sophisticated in the ’70s fell out of favor when heartier Cajun and Italian cuisines became trendy in the late ’80s. Unable to reinvent itself, The Magic Pan disappeared by the mid-1990s, though a brief revival attempt surfaced in airport locations during the 2000s.
12. Kenny Rogers Roasters: Country Star’s Chicken Flew the Coop
Country music legend Kenny Rogers partnered with former Kentucky governor John Y. Brown (who previously ran KFC) to launch this wood-fired rotisserie chicken chain in 1991. Their healthier alternative to fried chicken quickly expanded to over 350 locations, riding the celebrity restaurant trend.
Despite a famous Seinfeld episode featuring the restaurant, Kenny Rogers Roasters couldn’t compete against Boston Market’s similar concept. The chain filed for bankruptcy in 1998, just eight years after launching.
In an unexpected twist, while the chain disappeared from America, it thrives in Asia. Malaysian company Berjaya Group purchased the rights and operates over 100 locations across Asia, where Kenny’s chicken remains a hit despite most customers having never heard his music.
13. Bennigan’s Irish Hospitality Ran Dry
“We’ve got a feeling you’re gonna like us” claimed Bennigan’s commercials throughout the ’80s and ’90s. This casual dining chain with an Irish pub theme grew to over 300 locations. Their potato skins and Monte Cristo sandwich became signature items that competitors rushed to copy.
The problem? Bennigan’s created the “fern bar” casual dining formula that TGI Fridays, Applebee’s, and Chili’s also adopted. As these competitors refined the concept, Bennigan’s failed to evolve beyond potato skins and shamrock decorations.
The 2008 financial crisis delivered the final blow. Parent company Metromedia Restaurant Group abruptly closed all corporate locations overnight. While franchised locations survived, only about 15 U.S. restaurants remain today, though the brand maintains a stronger international presence.
14. Ground Round’s Peanut Shells Couldn’t Save It
Ground Round created a unique dining experience where customers threw peanut shells on the floor while silent movies played on the wall. Their gimmick of charging kids based on their weight (a penny per pound) delighted families throughout the ’70s and ’80s.
The casual restaurant chain grew to nearly 200 locations but suffered from a confused identity. Were they a family restaurant or a bar? The dining rooms attracted families early, while later hours featured louder music and drinking crowds.
This split personality prevented them from excelling with either audience. The corporate parent abruptly closed all company-owned locations during Valentine’s Day weekend in 2004. Franchisees banded together to save the brand, but only about 25 locations survive today.
15. Doggie Diner’s Giant Heads Couldn’t Prevent Downfall
San Francisco Bay Area residents couldn’t miss Doggie Diner’s massive 7-foot rotating dachshund heads wearing chef hats. This regional chain specialized in hot dogs and hamburgers, growing to about 30 locations during its peak in the 1960s and ’70s.
Founded by Al Ross in 1948, Doggie Diner became a beloved local institution. The chain’s unique mascot made it instantly recognizable, but the focus on hot dogs proved limiting as burger chains expanded their menus.
Unable to compete with larger fast-food corporations, the chain was sold in 1979 and gradually declined. The last location closed in 1986. Today, only one restored dachshund head remains as a historical landmark in San Francisco – a quirky reminder of this once-popular regional chain.
16. Henry’s Hamburgers Lost the Burger Wars
Before McDonald’s dominated the landscape, Henry’s Hamburgers was a major player with over 200 locations in the 1960s. Launched by the Bresler’s Ice Cream company as a way to increase dairy sales, their 15-cent hamburgers attracted hungry families across the Midwest.
Henry’s failed to evolve beyond basic burgers when competitors introduced signature items like the Big Mac and Whopper. Their simple drive-in model, without indoor seating in many locations, became outdated as customers expected more amenities.
The chain couldn’t match McDonald’s operational efficiency or marketing power. Locations gradually closed throughout the 1970s and ’80s. Remarkably, one single Henry’s survives in Benton Harbor, Michigan, serving the original recipe burgers to nostalgic fans and curious visitors.
17. Pancho’s Mexican Buffet’s Flag System Lowered Forever
Raise the tiny Mexican flag on your table, and servers would rush over with fresh, hot sopapillas drizzled with honey. This unique service system made Pancho’s Mexican Buffet memorable across the South and Southwest, where they operated over 50 locations.
The all-you-can-eat Mexican food concept thrived in the 1970s and ’80s when quantity often trumped quality. Customers lined up for endless enchiladas, tacos, and their famous bright yellow cheese sauce.
Changing tastes eventually doomed the chain as diners sought more authentic Mexican cuisine and became more nutrition-conscious. The buffet model struggled during economic downturns. Most locations closed by the 2010s, with the final restaurants shuttering during the pandemic. Only the packaged cheese sauce survives in grocery stores.
18. Dee’s Drive-In: Utah’s Forgotten Fast Food Pioneer
Before national chains dominated every corner, Dee’s Drive-In was Utah’s homegrown fast-food success story. Founded by Dee Anderson in 1932, this pioneer of quick-service restaurants expanded to over 30 locations across the Mountain West region during the 1960s and early ’70s.
Dee’s bright orange buildings with distinctive diamond-shaped signs served burgers, fries, and thick milkshakes to generations of Utah families. Their “D-Burger” was a local favorite long before Big Macs arrived.
The chain’s regional focus became its downfall when national competitors with bigger marketing budgets moved in. Hardee’s purchased most Dee’s locations in the 1970s, converting them to their brand. The last original Dee’s disappeared by the early 1980s.
19. Naugles Couldn’t Survive the Merger
Naugles offered a unique hybrid of Mexican and American fast food – where else could you order egg burritos alongside burgers and zucchini? Founded by former Del Taco employee Dick Naugle in 1970, the chain expanded to over 200 locations across California and beyond.
Fans loved their spicy cheese burritos, thick shakes, and 24-hour service that made it perfect for late-night munchies. The restaurant’s slogan – “Prepare yourself for the best stuff yet” – promised bold flavors.
Trouble came in 1988 when Del Taco merged with Naugles. Despite promises to maintain both brands, the parent company gradually converted most locations to Del Tacos. A passionate fan purchased the abandoned trademarks in 2015 and opened revival locations in Southern California, where nostalgic customers still line up for hours.