Home
slideshows
miscellaneous
5 fast-food chains that went extinct in the US but survived internationally

5 fast-food chains that went extinct in the US but survived internationally

Kenny Rogers Roasters was a fast-food chain that had its US opening in 1991.

This chain of rotisserie chicken restaurants was founded by country singer Kenny Rogers and former Kentucky governor John Y. Brown Jr.

Source: Kenny Rogers Roasters

The restaurant was made famous by a 1996 episode of "Seinfeld" but went bankrupt in 1998. It was ultimately bought by fast-food company Nathan's Famous.

Source: IMDB, Time

Kenny Rogers Roasters eventually died out in America, but the chain experienced an international renaissance after being sold in 2008 to its Malaysia-based franchiser. In 2011, there were close to 140 Kenny Rogers Roasters locations across Asia.

Source: Nation's Restaurant News, Time

Chi-Chi's was founded in 1975 and was famous for its Mexican food. At its height in 1986, the chain had 237 locations nationwide.

Source: Kiplinger

The restaurant chain was connected to a Hepatitis outbreak in 2003 and went bankrupt shortly after.

Source: New York Times

Chi-Chi's still maintains a sizable presence in Europe, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates.

Source: Yahoo Finance

Oporto — a Portuguese-style fast food restaurant — had three US locations in California before they were converted to a different restaurant chain in 2013.

Source: QSR Magazine

But the Australian-born fast food chain is still going strong overseas — it has over 170 locations in Australia.

Source: Oporto

Oporto is famous for its original Portuguese chili sauce and flame-grilled chicken.

Source: Oporto

Tully's coffee chain had a tumultuous journey in the US. Founded in Washington in 1992, the chain filed for bankruptcy in 2012.

Source: Business Insider

Michael Avenatti — Stormy Daniels' attorney — and actor Patrick Dempsey bought Tully's in 2013. But the company faced dozens of lawsuits and closed all US locations by 2018.

Source: Business Insider

Tully's still has locations outside the US — in Japan, Singapore, and Sweden.

Source: Trip Advisor

Teremok is a Russian fast-food chain that was intended to be the McDonald's of Russian cuisine.

Source: Business Insider

The chain opened two locations in New York in 2017 in an attempt to break into the American food market.

Owner Mikhail Goncharov announced the end of his expansion into America a year later. Both stores closed and Goncharov accused New York City inspectors of "open hostility" towards his staff. One location was accused of violating of health codes.

Source: Meduza

8 mind-blowing facts about Home Depot's business

5 fast-food chains that went extinct in the US but survived internationally

Kenny Rogers Roasters was a fast-food chain that had its US opening in 1991.

This chain of rotisserie chicken restaurants was founded by country singer Kenny Rogers and former Kentucky governor John Y. Brown Jr.

The restaurant was made famous by a 1996 episode of "Seinfeld" but went bankrupt in 1998. It was ultimately bought by fast-food company Nathan's Famous.

Kenny Rogers Roasters eventually died out in America, but the chain experienced an international renaissance after being sold in 2008 to its Malaysia-based franchiser. In 2011, there were close to 140 Kenny Rogers Roasters locations across Asia.

Chi-Chi's was founded in 1975 and was famous for its Mexican food. At its height in 1986, the chain had 237 locations nationwide.

The restaurant chain was connected to a Hepatitis outbreak in 2003 and went bankrupt shortly after.

Chi-Chi's still maintains a sizable presence in Europe, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates.

Oporto — a Portuguese-style fast food restaurant — had three US locations in California before they were converted to a different restaurant chain in 2013.

But the Australian-born fast food chain is still going strong overseas — it has over 170 locations in Australia.

Oporto is famous for its original Portuguese chili sauce and flame-grilled chicken.

Tully's coffee chain had a tumultuous journey in the US. Founded in Washington in 1992, the chain filed for bankruptcy in 2012.

Michael Avenatti — Stormy Daniels' attorney — and actor Patrick Dempsey bought Tully's in 2013. But the company faced dozens of lawsuits and closed all US locations by 2018.

Tully's still has locations outside the US — in Japan, Singapore, and Sweden.

Teremok is a Russian fast-food chain that was intended to be the McDonald's of Russian cuisine.

The chain opened two locations in New York in 2017 in an attempt to break into the American food market.

Owner Mikhail Goncharov announced the end of his expansion into America a year later. Both stores closed and Goncharov accused New York City inspectors of "open hostility" towards his staff. One location was accused of violating of health codes.

Popular Right Now

Popular Keywords

Buying Guides