Sadly, this past year has been loaded with distressing news. A lot of the biggest stores are now being liquidated nationwide. Throughout this difficult period, both retail shops and restaurants have also been struggling. In addition to the decrease in staff, other restaurants were completely closed. To discover which of your absolute favorites are shutting down, read on.
Say Farewell To These Chain Restaurants – They’re Closing
Pizza Hut
All across the world, Pizza Hut is a well-known name. It was founded in 1958, and it has about 18,431 outlets presently. In Wichita, Kansas, the first Pizza Hut opened. This is another one of the many Yum! Brands-owned chains. There are roughly 7,500 branches in the US alone. Recently, the firm announced that 500 locations that are not doing well would be foreclosed. It will take approximately two years to complete this procedure.
Pizza Hut
Luby’s
Have you heard of Luby’s, Koo Koo Roo, Fuddruckers, and Cheeseburger Cheeseburger in Paradise? These were all initially from Luby’s. The original name was Luby’s Cafeteria, back when the restaurant was founded in 1947. It was rebranded later on. Luby’s announced that out of their 83 locations, they will shut down the less effective branches. The chain has done this in the past – it has boosted its revenues to $6.6 million.
Luby’s
Steak ‘N Shake
Back in 1934, the very first Steak ‘N Shake opened in Normal, Illinois. In America, Southwest Europe, and the Middle East, the franchise now has locations. There are 628 locations today; 214 are franchised. The corporation is currently searching for a franchise partner. There will be a few dozen restaurants closing down in the meantime.
Steak ‘N Shake
O’Charley’s
O’Charley’s first launched in 1971, and in the South and Midwest, it now has nearly 200 restaurants. In just one day, they had just shut down eight restaurants. In fact, since then, others have closed. The entire franchise is at risk of closure, but Fidelity Nationality is currently deciding whether it will help the struggling chain to remain open.
O’Charley’s
Tim Hortons
Tim Hortons has started opening its Toronto headquarters and is the country’s largest fast-food chain. The founders are Tim Horton and Jim Charade. They began to establish a place for hamburgers but ended up going with coffee and donuts instead. The chain now has 4,848 branches around the world, but the places that don’t benefit will be downsized and closed.
Tim Hortons
Red Robin
In 1969, Red Robin opened for the first time in Seattle, Washington. Ten years later, its first franchised restaurant was developed by the brand. Now the company owns a whopping 562 restaurants. 90 of these are in themselves, franchises. However, they’ve recently succumbed to a bad 85.4 percent decline and would have to close down ten restaurants.
Red Robin
HomeTown Buffet
In 1983, HomeTown Buffet launched and had 250 restaurants at one point. The buffet-style joint is run by leadership, a descendant of Ovation Brands that actually belongs to Food Management Partners. Not all that good for the chain was the adjustment. They’ve closed more than 200 restaurants since that happened in August 2019.
HomeTown Buffet
McCormick & Schmick’s
Over half of its branches have already been closed by the seafood chain and will close, even more so this coming year. McCormick & Schmick, controlled by Landry’s Inc, was established in Oregon. From around the U.S., there are presently 40 of their restaurants and then another five in Canada. The business is rapidly declining as per its profits, net income, assets, and equity. The headquarters are being moved to Texas, and branches are being shut down by Landry’s.
McCormick & Schmick’s
Fuddruckers
Fuddruckers was once the location for crispy chicken fingers. There were nearly 111 franchises and 77 branches owned and run by the company at one point. At present, their revenue stands at $150 million, and they intend to expand it by shutting down particular stores. They’ve been through a number of challenges in ownership, but Texas remains the headquarters.
Fuddruckers
Roy Rogers
Roy Rogers branches specialize in burgers and are mainly found in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic areas. The restaurant is named after Roy Rogers, the Old School Western actor. This chain was known as RoBee’s House of Beef before the Mariot hotel corporation purchased it. The sales campaign was effective and, with its aggressiveness, attracted clients. All of this led to the chain having 600 branches at one stage. In 1990, Hardee’s parent company purchased the franchise, and now there are only 48 restaurants.
Roy Rogers
Boston Market
Once recognized as Boston Chicken, Boston Marken is renowned, with only a different name, for its unique rotisserie chicken. The owner is Sun Capital, and this chain is mainly found in the Northeast and Midwest areas, as well as Florida. There were 462 branches in 2013. The company, however, has not been booming since then. The franchise announced that they were going through a “multifaceted transformation plan.”
Boston Market
Perkins
Perkins, which originated in Cincinnati, Ohio, was a privately owned company called Pancake House. Years later, the breakfast, as well as a bakery chain, renamed itself the Perkins Family Restaurant. In 32 US states, and also in four regions in Canada, these diners can be found. Nobody other than Marie Callenders is the one who owns Perkins. The chain filed for bankruptcy in the year 2019. This led to many shop closures as well as the lay-off of 25,000 employees.
Perkins
Friendly’s
Mainly found on the East Coast, since its launch in 1935, Friendly’s has changed dramatically. A few years back, the chain filed bankruptcy. With a completely new menu, however, it succeeded in making a comeback. There are now 167 locations, but particular branches that are not making enough of a profit will be closed down.
Friendly’s
Del Taco
Regardless of the fact that it’s a Mexican-inspired diner, Del Taco was founded in the 1960s as well as sells burgers and fries. In the West and Southwest areas, this restaurant is the most popular. They have 564 restaurants now. This year though, the less famous areas will be shut down. Del Taco is searching for franchising opportunities, all the same. Levy Acquisition purchased them in 2015, making them a public company. Although their expansion plans have been unsuccessful, they still produce a decent income.
Del Taco
Applebee’s
Applebee’s is comparable to IHOP, which means that they both closed outlets. Most of them are franchised, with 1,830 restaurants globally. They don’t do as well nowadays as they did once. At one point, with 28,000 employees, revenue stood at $2.5 billion as well as its investments at $935 million.
Applebee’s
IHOP
Dine Brands Global owns a fan-favorite, the International House Of Pancakes. The headquarters have been there ever since, originating from Los Angeles, California. The Waffle House is the chain’s famous rival, but it’s said they’re shutting down a few stores as well. IHOP revenues are currently not disclosed, but they once stood at $350 billion.
IHOP
Burger King
Founded in 1966, the famous burger place was once recognized as Insta-Burger King. Burger King does have 17,800 restaurants in the nation as of now, but the number has been declining rapidly. 200-500 locations are reportedly shut down every year.
Burger King
Ruby Tuesday
Ruby Tuesday, a quite popular local joint, can be matched with TGI Friday and Applebee’s. Built-in 1972 in Knoxville, Tennessee, it currently has around 491 branches open. On the East Coast, most of them are located. The company has recently explained how most of its shops’ closure will result in their decreasing revenue.
Ruby Tuesday
Five Guys
Five Guys is said to have one of, if not the best cheeseburger when it comes to fast food. The argument prevails between cheeseburger lovers but regardless it is one of the best. It comes with great sadness to many beloved Five Guys fans that they will be closing down over 20 branches across the U.S. A rather major knock to the franchise. However, the restaurant industry overall is taking a knock so it is no surprise. The chain has managed to global in recent years and the only hope is that this will continue.
Five Guys
Marie Callender’s
Some of the best pies you’ll ever have – particularly the key lime pie – are housed in the local pie haven. None other than Marie Callender herself started Marie Callender’s. While living in a trailer park, she came up with the concept and got it going. Originally, to support her family, Marie began baking pies, but the restaurant had become a huge success. Sadly, in 2009, the family went through a difficult period that resulted in diner troubles. Marie’s husband died, and the restaurant has been struggling since then. It filed bankruptcy and had some of its branches closed down.
Marie Callender’s
Kona Grill
Kona Grill has a reputation for its sushi. Founded in 1989 in Scottsdale, Arizona, the franchise presently has over 40 U.S. as well as Puerto Rico locations. They have also been having to deal with possible foreclosures. It was announced in 2019 that the firm would be declaring bankruptcy. Regardless of the fact that the CEO might resign, there’s still some hope for a potential merger.
Kona Grill
Quiznos
Quiznos declared bankruptcy in 2014. However, the sandwich joint managed to make it back to life somehow – they reduced their debt by $400 million. They’ve got 5,000 places all over the world. There are now, however, only 800. In 2007, they began closing branches and shutting down 1,000 restaurants in America.
Quiznos
Carrabba’s
In 1986, after their merger with Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s began as a family chain and afterward made the transition into a roaring achievement. They rebranded Bloomin’ Brands after that and managed to open additional local and international outlets. While one of the many restaurants owned by Bloomin ‘Brands is Carrabba’s, it is the one with the most closures.
Carrabba’s
Starbucks
We’re certain that you don’t instantly think of “restaurant” when you think of Starbucks. However, let’s keep in mind that in addition to their famous coffee, they do sell food and desserts. Back in 2018, the coffee chain made an unanticipated and enormous announcement. In order to fully utilize their market and increase profits, they said they would close down 150 locations in America. This rate of closure for the brand is three times the norm.
Starbucks
T.G.I. Friday’s
Back in 1965, TGI Friday’s was established in New York City. Their tale is as sweet as the name itself. The concept behind the chain was to create a place in their twenties and thirties targeted at people. In a fun but relaxing environment, it was created to be somewhere they can socialize. Today, among those in their twenties and 30s, the joint is less than popular. Sadly, major locations such as Tallahassee, Staten Island, and Washington D.C. have decided to close branches.
TGI Fridays
Papa Murphy’s
When you order it, we know how stressful it is for pizza to remain hot – that piping hot slice is what it’s all about! That’s one thing that customers didn’t have to worry about again with Papa Murphy’s take-and-bake method. At the window, you get your pizza and take it home for baking. While the idea sounds great, over the past 2 years, the chain has closed down more than 60 locations.
Papa Murphy’s
Taco Bell
While Taco Bell is Mexican-inspired, authentic Mexican cuisine is really not the best representation of it. They’ve opted to attempt to expand internationally outside of the United States. This started to turn out, however, to become really costly. The chain shut down outlets in Pennsylvania, Arkansas, and several branches in Maine in 2019 as well.
Taco Bell
Pollo Tropical
A favorite in Southern Florida, the Caribbean cooking of Pollo Tropical has been a massive hit. The business began to expand to other populations, such as Cubans, Venezuelans, and Haitians, but it could not pull it off. It was aimed at opening a branch in Texas or two but never got there. The chain experienced serious financial losses in 2019 and recently closed 23 branches.
Pollo Tropical
Papa John’s
Papa John’s placed the fourth largest pizza delivery diner in the U.S., struggles all the same. After using an awful racial slur last year, the founder was in a tough situation. This contributed to his resignation. In addition to the outraged customers, the management change also played an important role in the decrease in sales of 7.8 percent. Thanks to the major change, the firm warned that in 2019 there would be closures. 250 branches were estimated to be closed.
Papa John’s
Pie Five
Are you looking for a personalized, handmade pizza that has been made to suit your particular taste? Would you like it to be ready within five minutes? Then the right place for you is Pie Five. Although it has been around for just under a decade, the smart idea caught on and took off in the U.S. However, it began to drop just as fast as it rose. Over the last few years, the chain has shut down over 30 restaurants and will close even more in the coming year.
Pie Five
Pizza Rev
Are you trying to look for a handmade, personalized pizza that has been made to suit your specific taste? Would you like it to be ready five minutes from now? Then Pie Five is the right location for you. The smart idea caught on and started in the U.S., even though it has been around for less than a decade. However, just as quickly as it rose, it began to drop. The chain has closed down over 30 restaurants over the last few years and will close more and more in the next few years.
Pizza Rev
Eat ‘N Park
Eat ‘N Park food has indeed been appreciated by the residents of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, as well as Ohio for over 7 decades. Although the diner is doing very well on the business front in 2019 alone, Ohio locals, unfortunately, lost 5 branches. The places left are being remodeled on the bright side.
Eat ‘N Park
Subway
Subway, a global favorite, is a successful business that had some shutdowns over its lifespan. In 2018 alone, Subway closed down 1,000 US branches. Unfortunately, there are more closures in 2019. Even after all of that, Subway is still the world’s largest fast-food restaurant chain.
Subway
Chipotle
In 2019, more than 50 branches were closed by Chipotle. The chain is definitely becoming much more widely known, that being said. In the last few years, it has gone through some very serious setbacks that have dented the reputation of the company. A couple of years ago, customers got sick with E. Coli, which was connected to Chipotle’s food they ate. Then, a cyber-attack allowed customers’ personal details to be exposed in 2019. The firm still managed to open more than 150 new branches in 2019, so they have to do something right.
Chipotle
Potbelly Sandwich Shop
Health may be a concern for today’s generation. However, the name of this diner definitely didn’t scare them. Potbelly has lately spread internationally to India. They are also contracting while they’re expanding. Three years before the Toronto branch opened, all of their stores were closed until 2019. They are struggling seriously to sell the chain.
Potbelly Sandwich Shop
Jack In The Box
Jack in the Box isn’t doing so well as his rivals. In 1951, the franchise launched, and children still chose McDonald’s over what they’d have to offer. It’s become really quite equal to some other chain stores nowadays. Though, the burger chain has been continuing to lose many deals since 2018 and, as a direct consequence, has to shut down a few outlets. This year the company thinks it will close at least 14 stores.
Jack In The Box
Noodles & Company
Noodles & Company, founded in 1995, was successful in its early years. The revenue, however, began to decrease as the years went by. People were not quite as interested in noodles in the 2000s as they were once. The company had a data leak in 2016 that jeopardized the information of its customers all over the country. This security breach actually cost the business $11 million. In 2018, they had to shut down 10% of their diners as a consequence.
Noodles & Company
Joe’s Crab Shack
Massive containers of crab, stuffed shrimp, as well as lots and lots of other comfort dishes are specialized in the informal seafood spot. While adored by Joe’s Crab Shack, its rivalry with other seafood restaurants such as Bubba Gump made the chain’s customers less inclined. In 2017, the company filed for bankruptcy, which further caused it to close 41 branches. In addition, locations are anticipated to be closed down this year, but there are still 58 locations operating.
Joe’s Crab Shack
Howard Johnson’s
Everybody loved the fried clam from Howard Johnson as well as the 28 ice cream flavors they got. Throughout the ’60s and 70s, there were already over 1,000 branches. The store was established in 1925 and so now holds on to everything that they have left. The New York diner, regrettably, has just closed the very last store.
Howard Johnson’s
Houlihan’s
The architect regarded the venture as “Houlihan’s Old Place,” established in 1972 when the co-founders purchased a prior merchandise shop named Tom Houlihan’s Men’s Wear. Ever since, the name has stuck. The firm followed procedure, yet somehow, they ended up in debt of $50 million and then had to close down many places.
Houlihan’s
Baja Fresh Mexican Grill
Baja Fresh Mexican Grill, famous for its burritos, taquitos, and a self-serve salsa bar, opened in 1990. Throughout 2002, Wendy’s purchased the pub. There were 300 locations in 21 states back in his prime time. Unfortunately, however, the tables have turned as well as shortly after, in 2004, locations began to close.
Baja Fresh Mexican Grill
Ground Round
Built in 1969, “The place for families, friends and sports fans” has been the motto of the Ground Round. In 2004, with more than 100 locations, the business eventually had to declare bankruptcy. In reality, they have been almost compelled to foreclose their locations unexpectedly too. Still, they have 17 outlets currently.
Ground Round
Pinkberry
Pinkberry opened in West Hollywood back in 2005. It soon rose to fame and became a popular hangout for celebrities. The yogurt was truly magical, but apparently, it wasn’t enough. The company reached 21 countries, but the U.S. locations fell to 139 and no more in 2015.
Pinkberry
Carl’s Jr.
CKJE Restaurant Holdings owns one of the most best known as well as absolutely adored food chains in the U.S. and Canada, Carl’s Jr. Throughout 1941, what began as a hot dog cart eventually had become a massive chain of restaurants. Unfortunately, the business had to shut down multiple stores every year, even with their prominence. Fortunately, they still have 1,490 outlets in operation – as of now.
Carl’s Jr.