We visited the largest seafood restaurant in America as it struggles fix its business - here's the verdict

Long John Silver's is a 48-year-old chain with a long history of serving up fried fish and other seafood inspired fare.

However, in recent years, the chain has experienced significant struggles. Yum Brands, the parent company of KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut, sold the chain to franchisee groups in 2011, after the chain - along with sibling brand A&W - failed to substantially grow under Yum's nine years of ownership.

In 2015, CEO James O'Reilly said the chain needed to "fix what we've got," a promise that the company has followed up with store redesigns, new uniforms, and fresh leadership.

Turning around a chain that seems past its prime is no easy accomplishment. In an effort to see what exactly Long John Silver's needs to "fix," Business Insider visited a location in Staunton, Virginia.