9 Old Restaurant Chains That We Wish Were Still Around Today

6. Red Barn

Originating in Ohio in 1961, Red Barn eventually expanded to 22 states and even some parts of Canada. The chain was best known for the “Barnbuster,” their quarter pounder burger. They were also known for predating McDonald’s Big Mac by naming their double burger, the “Big Barney.” It was also the first chain to open a salad bar. Unfortunately, the Red Barn buildings were shut down and used for other purposes. The remaining restaurants opened were renamed “The Farm” for a while until permanently closing in 2015.

7. Lum’s

Out of all of the other restaurants on this list, Lum’s has the biggest come-up. Lum’s actually started as just a Hot Dog stand in Miami Beach that morphed into a restaurant chain. They eventually purchased the ingredients for the “World’s Best Hamburger” from Oliver Gleichenhaus in 1971.

8. Bill Knapp’s

Bill Knapp’s opened its doors in 1948 in only 5 states — Michigan, Florida, Ohio, Illionis, and Indiana. In addition to having favorites like meatloaf, steak, and fries, the place also had a bakery and offered free chocolate cake to their customers on their birthdays! Bill Knapp’s closed its doors in 2002, but you can still get a taste of their baked goods at Awery’s Bakeries.

9. Chicken Delight

Founded in 1952 in Illinois, Chicken Delight brought fried chicken to the masses. Their catchphrase, “Don’t Cook Tonight, Call Chicken Delight” came to be during the time period when women were joining the workforce in unforeseen numbers. The company kept growing in the U.S until 1979 when the restaurant chain was purchased by Otto Koch, who kept it going in Canada until the 2000s.

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