1851

2020 showcased a plethora of bankruptcies, restructurings and closings, which led to <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19s-toll-on-u-s-business-200-000-extra-closures-in-pandemics-first-year-11618580619?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-franchise-brands-that-did-not-survive-the-covid-19-pandemic-2715801" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">thousands of businesses closing up shop.</a>And for brands with small margins, weak brand presence or the inability to pivot, the pandemic left them particularly vulnerable. Below are 10 franchise brands that did not survive the COVID-19 pandemic.<h4><a href="https://www.specialtys.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-franchise-brands-that-did-not-survive-the-covid-19-pandemic-2715801" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Specialty’s Café &amp; Bakery</a></h4>Specialty’s Café &amp; Bakery was founded in 1987 and operated more than 50 cafes in California, Washington and Illinois. Specialty’s was a counter-serve chain cafe that served baked goods &amp; light breakfast and lunch options. After shelter-in-place policies decimated company revenues, stores were forced to close. It announced all locations would be closing effective May 19, 2020.<h4 style="text-align:justify;"><a href="https://souplantation.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-franchise-brands-that-did-not-survive-the-covid-19-pandemic-2715801" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Souplantation</a></h4>In 1978, bartender Dennis Jay opened the first Souplantation in San Diego, but the company ceased operations May 8, 2020. Souplantation was an American-based chain of all-you-can-eat, buffet-style restaurants. There was no way the restaurants’ longtime self-serve model could survive in the era of COVID-19.<h4><a href="https://www.shopjustice.com/?cid=pgoju%7CG_TXT_BR_TXT-Brand-Core%7CBrand%7Cjustice+clothing+store&amp%3Bogmap=SEM%7CRTN%7CGOOG%7CSTND%7Cc%7CSITEWIDE%7CCORE%7CG_TXT_BR_TXT-Brand-Core%7CBrand%7Cjustice+clothing+store%7C12620345192%7C118752371494&amp%3Bgclid=CjwKCAjwqIiFBhAHEiwANg9szvQzXSFSV9IxzYrKdBgiX7GxGhpWeFmwV_rtOgtbQ4nRLOFzzwo2bhoCEmEQAvD_BwE&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-franchise-brands-that-did-not-survive-the-covid-19-pandemic-2715801" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Justice</a></h4>The tween clothing brand was founded in 2004, but after plummeting sales in 2020, it closed all brick and mortar stores over the course of the first few months of 2021. Justice was known as the one-stop shop for on-trend styles in tween girls' clothing. Prior to COVID-19, sales were already decreasing, but the pandemic decimated the brand’s hopes for revival.<h4><a href="https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/misc/index.jsp?targetPage=hertzfranchise.jsp&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-franchise-brands-that-did-not-survive-the-covid-19-pandemic-2715801" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Hertz</a></h4>In May 2020, the car rental company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection but remained in business as it restructured its debt. The company was founded in 1918 but could not fare when the crisis hit. As travel industry demand dried up, particularly among the business travelers who are essential to Hertz's rental business, Hertz could not afford to make a full payment to lenders.<h4><a href="https://izodfranchise.wordpress.com/2017/04/17/first-blog-post/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-franchise-brands-that-did-not-survive-the-covid-19-pandemic-2715801" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Izod</a></h4>The mid-range clothing company was founded in 1938, but after the coronavirus pandemic shut down the retail industry, it decided to close all stores over the course of 2021. Unfortunately, after stay-at-home orders significantly lowered the brand’s sales numbers, sales plummeted to an unrecoverable point.<h4><a href="https://vanheusen.partnerbrands.com/en?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-franchise-brands-that-did-not-survive-the-covid-19-pandemic-2715801" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Van Heusen</a></h4>The clothing store was founded in 1881 and offered a wide variety of stylish men's and women's dress shirts. Stay-at-home orders decimated sales, and all stores are closing prior to July 2021.<h4><a href="https://franchise.petvalu.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-franchise-brands-that-did-not-survive-the-covid-19-pandemic-2715801" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pet Valu</a></h4>Pet Valu offered everything to keep pets safe, happy and healthy, including food, treats and supplies or services like grooming and adoption. Founded in 1976, the pet food and supplies chain shut down its U.S. stores and warehouses in November 2020 after stay-at-home orders decreased sales numbers<h4><a href="http://www.ownasearsstore.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-franchise-brands-that-did-not-survive-the-covid-19-pandemic-2715801" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Sears</a></h4>As the cumulative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and months of lockdowns destroyed the economy, Sears continued to close stores, and there was no end in sight. What was once more than 3,900 stores is now under 30.<h4><a href="https://www.gncfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-franchise-brands-that-did-not-survive-the-covid-19-pandemic-2715801" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">GNC</a></h4>After a devastating year, GNC, a dietary supplement chain founded in 1935 that sells health and wellness products, including vitamins, minerals and herbal supplement products, declared bankruptcy in April 2020, closing 800 stores. The brand struggled to push through the economic impacts of the pandemic.<h4><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/gordmans/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-franchise-brands-that-did-not-survive-the-covid-19-pandemic-2715801" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Gordmans</a></h4>Gordmans was a chain of Midwestern off-price department stores founded in Omaha, Nebraska in 1915. The retailer filed for bankruptcy in May 2020 and announced it would be closing all stores after the brand could not shift quickly enough to the online model.

10 Franchise Brands That Did Not Survive the COVID-19 Pandemic

1851 Franchise

The pandemic was particularly destructive to small businesses, but the mass shutdown of 2020 even pushed some of America’s most iconic brands to the brink.

10-franchise-brands-that-did-not-survive-the-covid-19-pandemic

Pet Wants

Why Fresh, Healthy Food Matters for Your Pet's Long-Term Health

fresh-pet-food-unleashing-the-power-of-healthy-nutrition-for-your-furry-family

Caring Transitions

Caring Transitions Targets Fresno, California, for Franchise Growth

caring-transitions-targets-fresno-california-for-franchise-growth

Strategic Franchising

Work-Life Balance as a Franchise Owner: Is It Possible?

work-life-balance-as-a-franchise-owner-is-it-possible

The Top 10 Questions To Ask Before Buying a Franchise

top-10-questions-to-ask-before-buying-a-franchise

Caring Transitions Targets Memphis, Tennessee, for Franchise Growth

caring-transitions-targets-memphis-tennessee-for-franchise-growth

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Roof Scientist Launches Franchise Opportunity, Revolutionizing Roof Preservation with Innovative Technology

roof-scientist-launches-franchise-opportunity-revolutionizing-roof-preservation-with-innovative-technology

Restaurant Business: How McDonald's Is Restructuring To Compete With Specialized Chains

restaurant-business-how-mcdonalds-is-restructuring-to-compete-with-specialized-chains

Design with hundred dollar bill and orange "recession" banner across the middle

ABC News: Recession Risks Are Rising, Economists Say. Here’s What to Know.

recession-risks-impact-economy-franchise-world

NRA: Restaurants Focus On Enhancing In-Store Experiences To Attract Diners in 2025

nra-restaurants-focus-on-enhancing-in-store-experiences-to-attract-diners-in-2025

The Joint Chiropractic - Dr. Anthony Tran - IFA Franchisee of the Year - 1851 Franchise

The Joint Chiropractic’s Dr. Anthony Tran Named Franchisee of the Year by the IFA

joint-chiropractic-dr-anthony-tran-ifa

How Car Sales Taught Buddy's Home Furnishings’ Mitchell Lee the Secrets of Franchise Development

how-car-sales-taught-buddys-home-furnishings-mitchell-lee-the-secrets-of-franchise-development

Franchise Deep Dive: Studio Pilates Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data

franchise-deep-dive-studio-pilates-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Shuckin' Shack Plans to Bring Coastal Vibes and Fresh Seafood to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Market

shuckin-shack-plans-to-bring-coastal-vibes-and-fresh-seafood-to-myrtle-beach-south-carolina-market

Bumble Roofing Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

bumble-roofing-franchise-deep-dive

Florida Franchisee Reflects on Success and Growth with Sylvan Learning

florida-franchisee-reflects-on-success-and-growth-with-sylvan-learning

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025

paris-baguette-ranks-among-top-franchises-on-entrepreneurs-franchise-500-for-2025

Domonique Downing - Big Frog Franchise - Fayetteville, GA - 1851 Franchise

Coca-Cola Scientist Finds Path to Autonomy with Big Frog Franchise in Fayetteville, Georgia

big-frog-franchise-fayetteville-georgia

Top 25 Emerging Restaurant Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Top 25 Emerging Restaurant Concepts to Consider in 2025

top-emerging-restaurant-concepts-to-consider

Franchisee spotlight image with Randy and Sandy Craft, Children's Lighthouse logo on blue background

The Crafts’ Successful Journey from New Parents to Children’s Lighthouse Franchisees

the-crafts-successful-journey-from-new-parents-to-childrens-lighthouse-franchisees

The Top Quick Service Restaurant Franchises for 2025

the-top-quick-service-restaurant-franchises

10 Franchise Brands That Did Not Survive the COVID-19 Pandemic

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS