A Change in Appetite
It’s clear to see that America isn’t a huge fan of some of its local chains anymore. This could be due to economic pressures, changes in quality, or the fact that they were never that great to begin with. Either way, here are 10 restaurants that likely won’t be around in a few decades, and some that will stand the test of time.
Ildar Sagdejev (Specious) on Wikimedia
1. Hooters
Hooters is a bar known for mediocre food and beautiful staff. The vibe is casual, with an emphasis on sports entertainment. However, in 2025, Hooters filed for bankruptcy and is in hundreds of millions of dollars of debt. Turns out, centering an entire restaurant on the male gaze wasn’t the most profitable choice.
2. Red Lobster
Some people like to joke that Red Lobster's limitless shrimp is putting them out of that business. Whether that isn’t entirely clear, it’s evident that the company is starting to go under as they just can’t keep up with costs.
3. TGI Friday
This company got its start in the 60s and focuses on American-style cuisine. The atmosphere is supposed to be party-like, but the party came to an abrupt stop in 2024 when they too filed for bankruptcy protection.
4. Denny’s
Does anybody even go to Denny’s anymore? They call themselves America’s diner, but the quality has been dipping for ages. Still, the portion sizes are relatively packed for the price.
5. Applebee’s
Applebee’s is supposed to be an easy casual dining option, and they even offer relatively fair deals. But in this economy, if you’re gonna blow $20 on food, don’t you at least want it to be better than Applebee’s?
6. Outback Steakhouse
This restaurant is themed like an Australian outback, but you can still get seafood, chicken, and pasta too. While they still have plenty of locations across the world, the reality is they aren’t competing well with other steakhouses.
7. Red Robin
Red Robin is also feeling the pressure and is starting to shutter locations as diners continue to be a no-show. They offer up gourmet burgers and chicken sandwiches, but it’s clear that diners just don’t like what they’re putting out.
Jwinters | Talk 02:47, 22 January 2008 (UTC) on Wikimedia
8. Cracker Barrel
Casual dining has never been more competitive than now, and with every dollar counting, customers just aren’t interested in Cracker Barrel anymore. While they offer up southern cuisine with a country theme, it looks like they themselves are becoming old-fashioned.
9. Subway
Subway is still raking in money, but they never quite recovered after taking the $5 footlong deal away. Now sales are declining, stores are getting closed, and franchising has come to a standstill as both consumers and potential franchisers realize the quality for price just isn’t there.
10. Buca di Beppo
If you’re in the mood for some family-style Italian, then Buca di Beppo seems like a solid choice. However, this business too is seeing sales decline and filed for bankruptcy in 2024 as well.
Now that we have talked about chains that are clearly failing, here are 10 that are thriving in this competitive economy.
1. Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A has been a solid choice for consumers through and through, and consistently ranks high in terms of satisfaction. This is likely due to their focus on quality ingredients and customer service, which allows them to thrive despite having a relatively simple menu.
2. Raising Cane’s
Raising Cane’s is probably best known for its signature dipping sauce, but they also offer delectable chicken fingers and fries too. They pride themselves on fresh and never frozen chicken, and have succeeded the test of quality over the years.
3. Chipotle
Chipotle is still going strong, and they continue to emphasize integrity and responsible sourcing. Their menu is also wildly customizable, and consumers are loving all the choices. Additionally, small locations with limited staff are making it easy to keep costs down.
4. McDonald's
At this point, McDonald’s is just too big of a giant to bring down. It’s true that their quality has dipped, recipes (The fries) have changed, and prices have only gotten higher. But the brand is just so synonymous with American culture, it’ll likely take a lot more to dethrone it.
5. Starbucks
Starbucks is one of the few third places still around. Whether you’re working, studying, or just want a quiet moment with a coffee, Starbucks makes all of that comfortable and possible. Their abundance of tables, easy-to-access outlets, and soft lighting give off strong café vibes.
6. Taco Bell
Taco Bell also has some great branding behind it, and is well-known for its creative twists on usual Tex-Mex classics. Consider the crunchwraps or the Doritos Locos tacos. Either way, this bold branding and social-media marketing make it a constant choice for consumers.
7. Popeyes
Popeyes changed the game when they reinvented their chicken sandwich. As the unofficial winner of the 2019 sandwich war, it has cemented itself as a consistent choice for southern classics. Plus, it forced other chains to do better to compete.
8. KFC
While KFC is also seeing dips in quality, its iconic branding and history give it the same saving grace McDonald's has. It’s able to stay strong due to nostalgia and visual identity, and the Zinger sandwich ain’t half bad either.
9. Wendy’s
Wendy’s claims to offer fresh, never frozen, beef, but whether that’s true or not has little to do with their success. Instead, their clever marketing and social media branding have made them the choice for fun-loving young people who adore their spunk.
10. Dominos
Domino’s is a pizza giant, as made clear by the sheer amount of money they rake in every year. While their prices have certainly increased, they’re relatively consistent, and just far better than the other pizza options.
