(Well,not quite the same fries.)
And some fan favoriteslike Burger Chef, G.D. Ritzy’s, and Howard Johnson’sfell by the wayside.
We won’t fault you for getting misty-eyed over thesefailed fast-food chain restaurants from the 1980s.
Valley Relics Museum 501c3/Facebook
And for another trip down memory lane, check out these15 Classic American Desserts That Deserve a Comeback.
In 1979, McDonald’s launched its Happy Meal.
But all hope wasn’t lost.
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“Howard Johnson’s was the king of the road,” one former franchise owner told Eater.
“You could make money anywhere.”
But that was only true for so long.
Jordan Smith/Flickr
Similar restaurants that were more adaptable to changing tastes became fierce competitors.
Children of the 1980s certainly remember savoring their last spoonful of HoJos ice cream.
By the turn of the century, there were fewer than a dozen Howard Johnson’s left standing.
Valley Relics Museum 501c3/Facebook
Your ultimate restaurant and supermarket survival guide is here!
Pup ‘N’ Taco
In 1956, Pup ‘N’ Taco began gracing roadsides in Southern California.
At its height in 1984, there were 102 Pup ‘N’ Taco locations across California and New Mexico.
Christine/Flickr
But that very year, 99 of those weresold to Taco Bell, all but erasing the brand.
“Come on into Pup ‘n’ Taco and give your tummy a treat"we wish we could!
And for more nostalgia, don’t miss these17 Failed Chain Restaurants From the 1990s.
Patrick C./Yelp
In 1984, G.D. Ritzy’s was taking in about $5.2 million just fromice cream sales.
Unfortunately, Webb could only put on the ritz for so long.
Today, onlya few restaurants remain.
Nolen G./Yelp
So if you want a scoop of that Chunky Dory Fudge, head toOhioorKentucky.
But as any child of the ’70s or ’80s knows, Walgreen’s once had full-on restaurants, too.
In 1988, theysold all but a few of their locationsto Marriott.
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The sale put Walgreen’s “completely out of the food business,“The New York Timesreported.
By the 1980s, there were more than 350Gino’s locationsthroughout the East Coast.
But ’80s kids probably didn’t get to experience much of it.
Lum’s/Facebook
Sadly, that was the beginning of the end for Gino’s.
In 1982, they sold the bulk of their restaurants to Marriott.
More than half of the locations were eventually converted to Roy Rogers, and the rest were closed.
Eric. A/Yelp
Bennigan’s was fast becoming one of the most successful mid-range casual dining chains in America.
But then, things took a turn.
In the early 1990s, Bennigan’s was sold to Metromedia Restaurant Group.
Kai L./Yelp
With increased competition and not enough to distinguish Bennigan’s from the likes of Chili’s and T.G.I.
Friday’s, the chain fell behind.
Many weren’t surprised when Metromedia filed for bankruptcy in 2008.
Long Island and NYC Places that are no more/Facebook
“Bennigan’s was the weakest of the major players,” one analyst told theAssociated Pressat the time.
The original Lum’s storefront closed its doors in 1983.
And though there was a sole storefront holding on for dear life in Nebraska, it tooclosedin 2017.
Ida H./Yelp
But if you’d kill for an Ollieburger, check out thiscopycat recipeto satisfy your craving.
Naugles
Dick Naugle had a history of helping build successful restaurant chains.
Most notably, he was a founding partner of Del Taco.
Phillip Pessar/Flickr
He rapidly expanded to 225 outlets by 1986.
ManyNaugles became Del Tacos, and eventually, Naugles disappeared.
In 2006, however, food bloggerChristian Ziebarth posted about Naugles, and the response was through the roof.
Wikimedia Commons
Eventuallywith a lot of enthusiasm and tons of helpZiebarth was able to open anew Naugles locationin 2017.
Now that’s what you call living out your childhood dream.
According toYelp reviewers, it was going downhill.
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But plenty of people are still nostalgic for this restaurant chain.
“I used to eat here as a kid at lunchtime with my father,” one Yelper wrote.
“Man, I miss this place.
So Cal Metro/Flickr
I wish it was still here.”
And any New York kid in the 1980s grew up loving this chain, thanks to its unlimited portions.
There were 60 locations in the New York metropolitan area by 1984.
Forgotten Buffalo/Facebook
Eventually, theyrenamed several locationsto No Place Like Sam’s or Jolly Tiger instead.
But it was already too late.
Sambo’s shut down by the middle of the decade.
Chicken George
Ted N. Holmes founded Chicken George in 1979.
His fried chicken joint quickly became one of the country’s largest minority-owned chains.
And controversy makes for good business!
In 1982,Denny’s offered the companyabout $12 million to buy out 35 VIP’s locations.
The final restaurant closed in 1989.
Doggie Diner
Doggie Dinerwas a staple in Northern California’s Bay Area in its heyday.
By the mid-’80s, all the Doggie Diners had shut down.
Today, one of the dachshunds still rotates near the San Francisco Zoo.
In 2010, it became recognized as anofficial city landmark.
you could almost taste the burgers, hot dogs, and fries just looking at it.
And for more failed eateries,Only 1970s Kids Will Remember These Restaurants.
It continued to grow throughout the ’60s and ’70s.
But the chain got an extra boost in the 1980s, thanks to its spokesperson,O.J.
By the time the chainfiled for bankruptcy in 1988, there were 300 Pioneer Chickens all over the country.
Without that bright orange chicken, Monday Night Football was never the same.
Red Barn
Red Barnhad small-town beginnings in 1960s Ohio, but it was destined for greater things.
In 1979, new owners purchased the business for real estate purposes.
But in 1989, Red Barn went out not with a bang, but a whimper.
And for more 1980s trivia,Only 1980s Kids Will Remember These Restaurants.
