COLUMN: Ten restaurant chains that no longer exist

OFF THE MARK COLUMN
By: 
Mark Spensley
Express Co-Publisher

     News sites around the web are generating income on a daily basis without lifting a finger. How is this possible you might ask? It happens every time one of their readers scrolls to the bottom of their website and clicks on one of those “around the web” stories.

     I’m sure you know the ones I am talking about. For example, today on CNN’s website is one entitled, 25 amazing sports photos. On KCRG you can read about: Glasses lovers are going crazy over this website.

     Another one is listed as: No way these celebrities are 6 – plus. If you are bored enough to click on one of these it takes you through a minimum of about 20 pages before you get to the end of the story or the pictorial.

     The company behind these robot-induced features is called Taboola. This year they will generate $100 billion in revenue. Each time we click on one of these around the web stories, CNN and similar websites receive a few pennies. Over time these pennies add up.

     So getting back to my headline, I did in fact click on one of these stories entitled: 25 restaurant chains that no longer exist. After scrolling through 25 pages of content, I thought this might make for an interesting column. At least I am not writing about sports or hunting.

     Of the 25 chains that no longer exist, a few of them I hadn’t heard of so I narrowed my list to 10.

     Howard Johnson’s: In the 1920’s a man by the name of Howard Johnson borrowed $2000 to open a small pharmacy and general store in Massachusetts. After installing a soda fountain, his profits quickly increased.

     By 1960 there were over 600 locations. Fast food took over and killed the formal dining room experience. Today there are two locations left. The motel chain though still lives on.

     Bennigan’s: Founded in 1976, Bennigan’s grew to over 250 locations but upstarts like Applebee’s and Chili’s forced the company into bankruptcy in 2008. Now under new ownership, the company has 30 locations.

     Chi-Chi’s: This company was founded in Minnesota in 1975. It reached its max at 210 locations in the 1990’s. Competitors like Taco Bell and a hepatitis outbreak in Pennsylvania ended Chi-Chi’s run. Hormel Foods did buy the brand name for grocery sold salsa and chips.

     Steak & Ale: started in 1966 in Texas, this was the first chain to introduce a self-service salad bar. They grew to over 100 locations in the 1980’s. It too was doomed in the Bennigan’s bankruptcy, as both restaurants were owned by the same parent company.

     Sambo’s: Founded in 1957 by Sam Battistone and Newell Bohnett, this chain peaked at 1,117 outlets in 47 states. Sambo’s name was a combination of the two owners but controversy over that name drew protest and lawsuits in the 70’s and was deemed racist as the chain became associated with the book “The Story of Little Black Sambo.”

     The chain clamed bankruptcy and sold off to other companies, including Denny’s. Today only one Sambo’s remains in Barbara, CA.

     Burger Chef: This chain began operating in 1954 in Indiana. They grew to 1050 locations at its peak in 1973. The chain eventually was sold off to General Foods Corp. and was sold off to Hardee’s. The last remaining burger Chef closed its doors in 1996.

     Mr. Steak: This chain started in 1962 in Colorado and grew to 278 locations. The company attempted to diversify its menu options in favor of fish, salads and chicken saw a decline in revenues. Mr. Steak closed their doors by the mid-1900s.

     Other chains that no longer exist include Kenny Roger’s Roasters, Sandy’s and White Tower Burgers, just to name a few. I am now officially hungry, time for lunch!

 

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