Remember Burger Chef? I had almost entirely forgotten about it until it was mentioned in this thread. (I do remember the “Burger Chef and Jeff” commercials.) It finally closed in 1996. Why, I wonder? What determines which restaurant chains live or die? Is it just the quality of the food? Or are these things decided by events that take place in corporate boardrooms or on Wall Street, far from the eye and beyond the influence of the consumer?
What other chains have gone under? Are there any you remember fondly?
I have vague-but-fond childhood memories of a chain called Lums, that served hot dogs boiled in beer. I think there might be one left somewhere in South Florida, but they all disappeared from Miami in the '80s.
Sambo’s. The last nickel cup of coffee standing. Shame about the name, but changing it to “Sam’s” didn’t do anything but put off the end for a couple of years. I’m not sure whether continuing to associate their pancake specials with tigers helped it or hurt it.
Howard Johnson’s. Technically they are not “defunct” as there are (according to Wikipedia) still four locations operating, but that’s a small remnant of the once ubiquitous orange-roofed buildings and their “28 flavors” of ice cream.
I never stayed at one overnight but they were often a roadside dinner stop. And I took in many a cheap late night meal at the HoJo’s in Times Square.
I did know that, FWIW, but I also remember the kerfuffle back in the 70’s, that ultimately resulted in the demise of the chain.
I also recall reading a book, back then, about a black kid contending with racist jerks at his recently-integrated school. The title of the book was Call Me Charlie, and came from the fact that he preferred being addressed by his name to being called “Sambo.”
I miss Kenny Rogers Roasters. They had the most deliciously flavorful chicken, and the corn muffins were great, also. I am not a Kenny Rogers ambiance kind of person, but oh, that chicken!
Hot 'n Now was pretty good food for the price, which was next to nothing even in the mid-90s.
My first job was at a place called Kenny Rogers Roasters, which again had pretty good food, but it’s all but defunct with a token store in California (probably to protect the trademark).