When a nationwide chain closes, it might linger within the type of one or only some single remaining areas. York Steak Home, for instance, stopped being a nationwide chain within the mid-Nineteen Eighties and now solely has a single restaurant left working in Columbus, Ohio.
That is true of various manufacturers together with Sizzler, Ponderosa, and Floor Spherical. A couple of of those chains, nevertheless, together with one which went absolutely out of enterprise and didn’t have a single working restaurant for 16 years, try to make an actual comeback.
Casa Bonita
Based in 1968. As soon as had a number of areas in OK, AR, and TX. Solely the Lakewood, Colorado location stays as of 2025. Supply: Casa Bonita
Floor Spherical Grill & Bar
Peak: Dozens of areas nationwide. After chapter in 2004, most closed. At the moment solely a handful survive, largely independently owned. Supply: Meals Republic
York Steak Home
Peak: 200 areas within the Nineteen Eighties. Declined quickly. Just one location stays in Columbus, Ohio. Supply: TheStreet
Ponderosa Steakhouse/Bonanza Steakhouse
Mixed peak: A whole bunch of areas. Now solely 21 areas stay within the U.S. Supply: TheStreet
Tad’s Steaks
Former cheap cafeteria-style steakhouse chain. Just one remaining location reportedly exists within the U.S. Supply: TheStreet
Steak and Ale
Peak: 280 areas. Closed solely in 2008 (Chapter 7 chapter). At the moment: One or two areas reopened below new possession. Supply: Legendary Restaurant Manufacturers
Chi‑Chi’s
Peak: Greater than 200 U.S. areas. Closed all U.S. areas in 2004. At the moment: One location reopened in Minnesota (2025) as a part of a model revival. Supply: USA At the moment
Bennigan’s
Peak: 150+ company eating places. Closed most in 2008 (chapter). 21 areas stay plus a brand new “On the Fly” idea. Supply: TheStreet
He bided his time, however by no means gave up the dream of relaunching the chain, which had closed its doorways for the final time again in 2008. That lastly occurred again in July.
“The long-awaited return of traditional chain Steak and Ale is right here: Legendary Restaurant Manufacturers formally opened the primary new location on July 8 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebration. Situated at 14201 Nicollet Avenue South in Burnsville, Minnesota, the brand new restaurant sits in a 5,000-square-foot area contained in the Wyndham Nicollet Inn —although it has its personal outdoors entrance and a patio — and might seat as much as 225 visitors,” LRB shared on the Bennigan’s web site.
Story Continues
Steak and Ale has modernized its operations however nonetheless has the identical mission.
“Broadly thought-about the early mannequin for informal eating, Steak and Ale was based by Norman Brinker in 1966 on the premise of offering nice steaks at reasonably priced pricing and attentive, pleasant service in an intimate but comfy surroundings. Impressed by the heat of an English inn, the idea took off and grew to greater than 110 areas worldwide at its peak,” in line with the corporate.
Extra Eating places
Mangiamele has huge plans for Steak and Ale.
“It’s actually a labor of affection. I grew up with these manufacturers myself,” Mangiamele stated of the 59-year-old Steak and Ale and its sister idea (and solely different Norman Brinker-founded model), Bennigan’s.
“They develop very robust emotional connections, and emotional connections within the enterprise world equals income, and income and the power to create high-revenue eating places, in a day the place there’s loads of failure and never loads of successes, speaks volumes for the emotional connections that had been created so a few years in the past.”
1966: Founding
Steak & Ale was based on February 26, 1966, in Dallas, Texas by restaurateur Norman E. Brinker. The idea was designed as a extra‑accessible steakhouse: providing high quality steaks at cheap costs in a cushty, “English‑inn/Tudor‑type” eating environment. The chain pioneered improvements for informal eating notably the salad bar, which later turned an ordinary throughout many eating places. Supply: Steak and Ale Restaurant
Development and peak recognition: (Nineteen Seventies-Nineteen Eighties)
Within the Nineteen Seventies and Nineteen Eighties, Steak & Ale grew steadily, increasing to 280 areas nationwide. Supply: FSR Journal Its menu included signature gadgets like herb-roasted prime rib, the “Kensington Membership” steak, Hawaiian Rooster (with grilled pineapple), limitless salad bar, honey‑wheat bread, and extra with a mixture of consolation, worth, and a semi‑upscale really feel that resonated with many diners. The chain’s environment (dim lighting, Tudor‑type décor, intimate eating rooms) and pricing positioned it as a “center floor” between quick meals and nice eating, serving to outline the fashionable informal‑eating steakhouse. Supply: AARP
Decline and chapter: 2008
In 2008, the mum or dad firm (then a part of Metromedia Restaurant Group/S&A Restaurant Corp) filed for Chapter 7 chapter. In consequence, all remaining company‑owned Steak & Ale eating places (58 areas) had been closed on July 29, 2008. The closure marked the top of a 42-year run that had helped form American informal eating. Supply: Meals Republic
Acquisition and model dormancy (2013-2015)
In 2015, former restaurant executives Paul Mangiamele and his spouse Gwen purchased the mental property (model, recipes, rights) of Steak & Ale, together with its sister chain, Bennigan’s. The brand new firm was named Legendary Restaurant Manufacturers, LLC (LRB). Supply: Steak and Ale Restaurant For a number of years, Steak & Ale was basically dormant, although the brand new house owners saved the model alive (including chosen signature menu gadgets to Bennigan’s menus) whereas exploring revival alternatives. Supply: Steak and Ale Restaurant
Revival planning and announcement (2023)
In early 2023, Steak & Ale’s revival plans turned public: LRB introduced a 15‑unit space growth settlement with a franchise associate (Midwest-based) to convey Steak & Ale again to the U.S. below a refreshed “polished informal” mannequin. The brand new model is repositioned to mirror fashionable eating expectations whereas preserving signature menu gadgets and nostalgic attraction. Supply: Steak and Ale Restaurant
2024: First new Steak & Ale Opening in 16 years
On July 8, 2024, the primary new Steak & Ale location opened: a franchised restaurant inside a Wyndham resort in Burnsville, Minnesota (with separate entrance, patio, seating for 225) marking the model’s official comeback after a 16‑yr hiatus. The reopening provides many nostalgic menu staples together with salad bar, herb‑roasted prime rib, and Hawaiian hen, reimagining the model for the twenty first‑century informal‑eating market. Supply: Steak and Ale Restaurant
Fashionable positioning and model technique (2025)
Below the “new Steak & Ale,” the chain is marketed as a “polished informal” idea mixing traditional model heritage with up to date service, environment, and value-focused pricing to attraction to each previous followers and new diners. Supply: Nation’s Restaurant Information As of 2025, the chain is as soon as once more accepting franchise purposes and seems to be actively rebuilding, indicating that the comeback is greater than symbolic. Supply: Steak and Ale Restaurant
Whereas the financial system has struggled, Individuals nonetheless worth eating places, in line with the Nationwide Restaurant Affiliation’s State of the Restaurant Business 2025.
Customers prioritize eating places: The meals service business is forecast to achieve $1.5 trillion in gross sales in 2025, and a powerful majority of customers say they might use eating places extra if they’d the cash.
Employment alternatives for all: The business workforce is projected to develop by 200K jobs, for complete business employment of 15.9 million by the top of 2025.
Expertise over value: Many restaurant clients — together with 64% of full-service clients and 47% of limited-service clients — say their eating expertise is extra essential than the value of the meal.
Worth stays prime of thoughts: To drive buyer visitors, 47% of operators plan so as to add new reductions, offers, or worth promotions.
Customers love eating places: 9 in 10 adults say they take pleasure in going to eating places. Eating places permit them to take pleasure in a favourite meal that has taste and style sensations they will’t simply replicate at house.
Restaurant operators, nevertheless, are battling rising prices, in line with a survey of restaurant operators from Toast.
Profitability is precedence primary; 40% of restaurant operators cited bettering profitability as their prime objective for the approaching yr. Inflation, advertising, and hiring prime the record of challenges.
Operators ranked inflation (20%), advertising (16%), and sourcing/hiring (16%) as their prime three enterprise ache factors.
Menu costs are on the rise if inflation continues. To guard their margins, almost half of eating places (48%) plan to extend menu costs if inflation continues to be an element.
Labor challenges hit a excessive. With hiring difficulties, 47% of operators are targeted on growing employees effectivity to get forward of the issue.
Associated: Enormous mall, strip mall chain quietly closed 443 areas in 2025
This story was initially revealed by TheStreet on Nov 30, 2025, the place it first appeared within the Restaurant part. Add TheStreet as a Most well-liked Supply by clicking right here.