Introduction
Once upon a time, there were four popular burger chains that dominated the fast food industry. McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, and Hardee’s were the go-to places for a quick and tasty burger. But times have changed, and these once-popular burger chains are now shrinking. In this article, we’ll take a look at why these four burger chains are no longer as popular as they once were and what they can do to turn things around. We’ll also provide some healthier alternatives for those looking to enjoy a burger without sacrificing their health. So, let’s get started!
Once-Popular Burger Chains That Are Currently Shrinking
It’s no secret that the fast-food industry is a competitive one. With so many burger chains vying for customers’ attention, it’s no surprise that some have fallen by the wayside. Here are four once-popular burger chains that are currently shrinking.
1. Burger King
Once the king of fast-food burgers, Burger King has seen its share of struggles in recent years. The chain has closed hundreds of locations in the U.S. and abroad, and its sales have been declining since 2013. Burger King is now focusing on its international presence, with plans to open more than 1,000 new locations in China, India, and other countries.
2. Hardee’s
Hardee’s, the fast-food chain known for its thick burgers and thick milkshakes, has been struggling in recent years. The chain has closed hundreds of locations in the U.S. and abroad, and its sales have been declining since 2013. Hardee’s is now focusing on its international presence, with plans to open more than 1,000 new locations in China, India, and other countries.
3. White Castle
White Castle, the fast-food chain known for its tiny burgers and sliders, has been struggling in recent years. The chain has closed hundreds of locations in the U.S. and abroad, and its sales have been declining since 2013. White Castle is now focusing on its international presence, with plans to open more than 1,000 new locations in China, India, and other countries.
4. Jack in the Box
Jack in the Box, the fast-food chain known for its tacos and burgers, has been struggling in recent years. The chain has closed hundreds of locations in the U.S. and abroad, and its sales have been declining since 2013. Jack in the Box is now focusing on its international presence, with plans to open more than 1,000 new locations in China, India, and other countries.
It’s clear that the fast-food industry is a competitive one, and these once-popular burger chains are feeling the pressure. While some of these chains are focusing on their international presence, it remains to be seen if they can turn things around and regain their former glory.
The burger segment of the U.S. restaurant industry is truly massive, both in terms of sales and competition. QSR Magazine lists no fewer than 15 fast-food burger chains in its most recent roundup of top-performing fast-food brands in America—which is a little less than double the market headcount for chicken chains, and a little more than double for pizza chains. When it comes to burgers, American diners have no shortage of choices.
But one drawback of such fierce competition is the loss of beloved legacy brands struggling to keep up. In particular, dine-in burger chains have, in recent years, had a hard time holding onto customers and keeping their restaurants open, and those difficulties have only been exacerbated in the past two years by the pandemic and the rise of their fast-food competitors. Here’s a look at four once-popular burger chains that are currently shrinking.
For more, check out 4 Once-Popular Steakhouse Chains That Are Currently Shrinking.
Founded in 1935, this family-friendly dine-in chain is a veteran of the restaurant industry, beloved for its famous homemade ice cream and Big Beef Burgers. At its peak in the ’90s, Friendly’s had a footprint of about 850 locations. In the past decade or so, however, the chain has been struggling to stay afloat.
Friendly’s was showing warning signs of a possible demise as early as 2011 when it first declared bankruptcy. Its parent company, Sun Capital, sold the chain off to Dean Foods in 2016. Between 2017 and 2020, Friendly’s footprint shrunk by about 50%—from 231 restaurants to just 130—and the chain closed out 2020 with a second bankruptcy. Currently, the number of Friendly’s restaurants is idling at about 125. It’s not all bad news, though. Friendly’s was acquired out of bankruptcy by Amici Partners Group in 2021, and is now looking to pivot to fast-casual with an updated menu and a new restaurant prototype dubbed Friendly’s Cafe.
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Founded in 1986, Johnny Rockets is beloved for its retro decor, hand-spun milkshakes, and premium hamburgers. But the brand has had a difficult past decade or so, handed off from one parent company to another, and watching its store count steadily decline.
The burger chain was acquired by RedZone Capital in 2007, with the investment firm announcing plans to expand the chain’s footprint. After just six years of ownership, however, RedZone sold the brand off in 2013 to Sun Capital Partners. That partnership was, similarly, short-lived, and Sun Capital passed Johnny Rockets off to FAT Brands by 2020.
During its tenures at Sun Capital, Johnny Rockets struggled to maintain its U.S. footprint, and between 2015 and 2019, it lost 45 locations. A 2021 estimate puts the Johnny Rockets store count at just 147.
Founded in 1972, Ruby Tuesday took off in the ’90s alongside casual-dining peers like Applebee’s and TGI Fridays. The chain sustained that growth well into the early oughts, with its stock price peaking in 2004, at $33 per share.
Nearly two decades on, however, Ruby Tuesday is not the brand it once was. The casual-dining chain posted steep losses in 2014 (of $34.4 million), and after several years of losses announced plans to sell itself to a private equity group in 2017. That deal was finalized in late 2020, around the time of Ruby Tuesday’s first bankruptcy filing.
All the while, the chain’s store count has been steadily dwindling: between 2016 and 2020, the Ruby Tuesday system shrank from 673 units to just 220. A 2021 report put its post-bankruptcy store count at just 209.
A legacy brand, TGI Fridays has been around since 1965. The chain got its start as a singles bar, but pivoted in the mid-1970s to family dining. Like Ruby Tuesday, TGI Fridays was prosperous in the early 2000s, expanding rapidly at home and abroad under the ownership of holding company Carlson.
But in the decade following the 2008 recession, things took a turn for the worse, and TGI Fridays had to close more than 200 of its restaurants. Carlson offloaded the chain to private equity in 2014, and in the eight years since, TGI Fridays has struggled to find its footing. It announced a plan to go public in 2019 but then called the whole thing off in 2020.
Between 2017 and 2020, the domestic store count shrunk by more than 140 restaurants. A 2022 estimate puts TGI Fridays’ U.S. footprint at just 311 locations.