Fans notice seven once-favorite fast-food chains just disappeared — what happened to Hometown Burger and other restaurants

SEVEN restaurant chains are gone, and fans are wondering what happened to restaurants like Hometown Burger and Howard Johnson’s.

If you live near San Antonio, Texas, you’ve probably heard of the regional chain Hometown Burger.

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Hometown Burger, which was founded in 2016, was known for its fresh burgers and retro-style restaurants, Eat this, not that reported.

Just last month, the burger joint closed all eight of its restaurants without explanation.

“We thank you for your business over the years,” the company said in a statement on its website.

“We’ll see you on the other side.”

Up north, soup and sandwich shop Hale & Hearty closed temporarily back in July.

The New York-based chain reached its peak in 2015, when it had 34 restaurants in high-rent locations and a strong following.

Some stores began closing a year later after the locations reportedly had rental issues.

Then, last winter, the restaurant chain was sued by its Financial District landlord for owing nearly $400,000 in unpaid rent over the past two years. Commercial columnist reported.

On July 1, Hale & Hearty closed all 16 remaining branches.

Signs were posted in stores that read, “Starting today, July 1, 2022, we will be temporarily closing all stores.

“Thank you for your business and see you soon!”

However, many locations still face debt or pending lawsuits, so it’s unclear if the stores will ever reopen, according to Eat This, Not That.

A month before Hale & Hearty’s temporary closure, Howard Johnson’s last business has closed.

Founded in 1929, Howard Johnson’s was once America’s largest restaurant chain.

The restaurant reached its peak in the 1960s and 1970s and was known for its 28 flavors of signature ice cream.

However, when popular chains like McDonald’s, Burger King and KFC took over, there were less than a few dozen Howard Johnson’s left.

Back in June, the last Howard Johnson’s in Lake George, New York closed, Eat This reported.

BYE BYE BUFFETS

According to the newspaper, the buffet chains Ryan’s and Old Country Buffet closed after the holding company Fresh Acquisitions, formerly known as Buffets Inc., declared bankruptcy last April.

BBQ Holdings acquired Fresh Acquisitions in 2021, and CEO Jeff Crivello told reporter Joe Gushkowski, “We have no immediate plans to open any of the buffet brands.”

The bankruptcy was long overdue after more than a decade of neglect, Restaurant business reported.

However, during the pandemic, the company has reportedly been dealt a final blow after being hit by debt and poor restructuring plans.

NO ROOM FOR DESSERT

Last month, Nestle Café was sold to restaurant operator FAT Brands, according to Eat This, Not That.

Another 85 cafes remain, but they are mostly located in shopping centers and will be converted to Great American Cookies stores, FAT Brands announced.

GameWorks Arcade Restaurant closed for good in 2021 after six other locations closed.

GameWorks, founded in 1996, was fully equipped with a wide selection of arcade video games, as well as a full-service bar and restaurant.

Sega and DreamWorks were to become partners in the company, but in 2001 DreamWorks sold its stake in GameWorks.

After that, the arcade suffered two bankruptcies.

Between 2017 and 2020, the company suffered losses of $28.9 million, according to the publication.

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