1851

While it is hard to imagine a world without iconic chains like McDonald's, Burger King and Wendy's, there are in fact dozens of fast food franchises that at one time boasted similarly massive footprints and legions of devoted fans, but are now long gone.&nbsp;Whether it be because of poor management, bad luck, costly operations or an inability to stand out from the competition, many formerly beloved restaurant franchises have shuttered their stores for good. Take a trip down memory lane with five of our favorite failed restaurant franchises.<h4><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Official_All_Star_Caf%C3%A9?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=rip-to-these-restaurant-franchises-2718006" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">All Star Café</a></h4>Theme restaurants were all the rage in the 1990’s, and this Planet Hollywood-owned franchise was one of the trend’s most popular creations. With <a href="https://1851franchise.com/5-celebrities-who-own-franchises-2716349">celebrity franchisees</a> like Andre Agassi, Joe Montana, Ken Griffey Jr. and Shaquille O'Neal, All Star Café seemed like it was destined for greatness at its peak of 10 locations, all of which were situated in bustling tourist destinations like Times Square. But as the dream of the 90’s faded away, so too did the All Star Café. The last restaurant, which was located in Walt Disney World's Wide World of Sports, closed in 2007.<h4><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chi-Chi%27s?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=rip-to-these-restaurant-franchises-2718006" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Chi-Chi's Mexican Restaurant</a></h4>As one of the first Mexican restaurant franchises, Chi-Chi’s expanded to a whopping 210 locations in only two decades after originally opening in Minneapolis in 1975. However, a series of poor financial decisions and an unfortunate <a href="https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2009/09/meaningful-outbreak-6-chi-chis-hepatitis-a-outbreak/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=rip-to-these-restaurant-franchises-2718006" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">hepatitis A outbreak</a> in 2003 proved to be too much for the chain to handle. There are currently no Chi-Chi's left in the U.S., but a few still exist across Europe.<h4><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Johnson%27s?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=rip-to-these-restaurant-franchises-2718006" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Howard Johnson's</a></h4>When Howard Johnson launched his eponymous chain in the 1920s, he set out to revolutionize the dining industry by starting a network of franchises adhering to precise specifications in prime locations. The strategy worked — at one point, Howard Johnson's was the largest restaurant chain in the country, and most locations were franchised. Unfortunately, the chain’s once-revolutionary business model of serving pre-made, high-quality food in traditional dining rooms slowly fell out of fashion as more affordable and speedy brands like McDonald's began to dominate the landscape.<h4><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pup_%27N%27_Taco?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=rip-to-these-restaurant-franchises-2718006" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pup ‘N’ Taco</a></h4>Hot dogs and tacos — a combination too good to fail? Apparently not. Pup 'n' Taco was founded in 1956 by Big Donut founder Russ Wendel in Southern California, and grew to feature more than 100 stores. But the eclectic menu, which also featured a variety of slushes and burgers, may have been trying to offer too many things at once. In 1984, emerging competitor Taco Bell purchased 99 of the Pup 'n' Taco locations and the remaining three shut off the lights in the 2010s.<h4><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Tower_Hamburgers?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=rip-to-these-restaurant-franchises-2718006" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">White Tower Hamburgers</a></h4>White Tower Hamburgers is a prime example of why copying another brand’s success can only get you so far. The chain was founded by a father-and-son team in Milwaukee in 1926 as a shameless White Castle rip-off. The restaurants even included the notorious white fortress-like buildings and offered a very similar menu. White Castle eventually sued White Tower around 1930, and the court forced the chain to change its aesthetic. Although White Tower survived the lawsuit and ended up expanding to a peak of 230 locations in the 1950s, the chain officially shuttered its last location in 2004.

RIP To These Restaurant Franchises

1851 Franchise

From 90’s celebrity-endorsed theme restaurants to blatant White Castle rip-offs, these once-massive fast food chains are now nothing but a distant memory.

rip-to-these-restaurant-franchises

United Water Restoration Group

The Importance of Quick Response in the Water Restoration Business: How United Water Restoration Group Leads the Way

the-importance-of-quick-response-in-the-water-restoration-business-how-united-water-restoration-group-leads-the-way

Senior Care Authority

Senior Care Authority Celebrates Major Wins and Welcomes Four New Franchisees in Q1 2025

senior-care-authority-celebrates-major-wins-and-welcomes-four-new-franchisees-in-q1-2025

Children's Lighthouse

Why This Hotel Franchise Owners is Investing in Children’s Lighthouse 

why-this-hotel-franchise-owners-is-investing-in-childrens-lighthouse

Integrity Franchise Group

Which Franchise Ownership Model Is Right for You? Semi-absentee Ownership?

which-franchise-ownership-model-is-right-for-you

Melting Pot

Photo of 50th Anniversary Melting Pot fondue with golden chives

50 Years of Fondue and Family: Melting Pot Celebrates Its Legacy and Looks to the Future

melting-pot-franchise-50th-anniversary

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

Franchise Face-Lifts: Why Major Restaurant Brands Are Betting Big on Remodels

franchise-face-lifts-why-major-restaurant-brands-are-betting-big-on-remodels

How New Tariffs Are Causing Price Hikes and Surcharges for U.S. Businesses and Franchises - 1851

Tariffs Prompt Price Hikes, Surcharges as Businesses (and Franchises) Brace for Rising Costs 

tariffs-prompt-price-hikes-surcharges

Pizza Hut - EYM Group - Chapter 11 Bankruptcy - 77 Pizza Hut Locations Sold - 1851 Franchise

77 Pizza Hut Locations Sold After Franchisee Bankruptcy Filing

pizza-hut-franchisee-bankruptcy-eym-group

Jersey Mike's - Blackstone - Global Growth - 1851 Franchise

Jersey Mike’s Ramps Up Global Growth Following Blackstone Acquisition

jersey-mikes-blackstone-growth

Layoffs Surge to Pandemic-Era Highs, Opening Doors for Franchise Growth

layoffs-surge-to-pandemic-era-highs-opening-doors-for-franchise-growth

Lindora’s New President Discusses Franchise Growth and the Future of Health and Wellness

lindoras-new-president-discusses-franchise-growth-and-the-future-of-health-and-wellness

Church's Texas Chicken - Franchise Deep Dive - Growth Club - 1851 Franchise

Church’s Texas Chicken Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

churchs-franchise-deep-dive

From Pizza Delivery to Fast-Casual Innovator: How Dave Wood Built Mahana Fresh

mahana-fresh-franchisor-dave-wood

Happy Joe's Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-happy-joes-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-for-2025

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

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

Military Veteran and Craft Beer Enthusiast to Bring Voodoo Brewing Co. to Toledo, Ohio

military-veteran-and-craft-beer-enthusiast-to-bring-voodoo-brewing-co-to-toledo-ohio

franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Venetya Evans and Sylvan Learning logo

IT Leader Celebrates One Year of Sylvan Learning in Simi Valley: A Passion for Education and Technology Drives Her Mission to Help Students Succeed

it-leader-celebrates-one-year-of-sylvan-learning-in-simi-valley

RIP To These Restaurant Franchises

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS