9 Classic Restaurant Chains That Are On The Comeback Trail
Remember those beloved restaurant chains we all flocked to in the 90s and early 2000s?
Well, guess what? Many of those nostalgic eateries are dusting themselves off and making impressive comebacks!
I’ve watched these classic spots fade and now resurge with new menus, renovated spaces, and fresh marketing strategies.
Whether you grew up celebrating birthdays at these joints or just miss their signature dishes, here’s the scoop on nine restaurant chains that are finding their second wind in today’s competitive food scene.
1. Planet Hollywood: Stars Aligning Once Again
My first celebrity sighting happened at Planet Hollywood back in ’98—I nearly spilled my soda when Bruce Willis walked in! The star-studded restaurant chain that once boasted 87 locations worldwide practically imploded after its late-90s heyday, filing for bankruptcy twice.
Now the iconic brand with its movie memorabilia and celebrity handprints is staging a calculated comeback. Their flagship Las Vegas location has been completely revamped, featuring updated menus that actually focus on good food instead of just glitzy atmosphere.
The chain is expanding cautiously with new locations planned in tourist-heavy cities. They’ve wisely shifted their strategy from rapid expansion to quality experiences, proving that even in Hollywood, sometimes the sequel can be better than the original!
2. Quiznos: Toasting To A Fresh Start
Crispy, toasty subs saved my college days! Quiznos once ruled the sandwich world with over 5,000 locations before a catastrophic collapse left them with fewer than 300 shops. Their famous talking spongemonkey ads couldn’t save them from questionable franchise practices and Subway’s $5 footlong knockout punch.
The sandwich chain is mounting an impressive resurrection with a completely revamped business model. New ownership has slashed franchise fees, improved food quality, and embraced technology with a sleek mobile ordering system.
Stores are reopening with modern, streamlined designs that emphasize efficiency. The menu still features those toasted subs we crave, but now includes healthier options and customizable bowls. Their pepper bar—that glorious station of free toppings—remains a beloved feature as they slowly rebuild their empire one toasted sub at a time.
3. Bennigan’s: Irish Hospitality Rises Again
The Monte Cristo sandwich at Bennigan’s changed my life! I still dream about that perfect combination of fried goodness, powdered sugar, and raspberry jam. When this Irish-themed casual dining chain abruptly closed all corporate locations in 2008, fans like me were left devastated and sandwich-less.
Under passionate new leadership, Bennigan’s has been methodically rebuilding with a focus on their famous Irish hospitality. The revived chain has returned to its roots, emphasizing scratch-made kitchen creations while modernizing the menu to include craft beers and contemporary flavors.
Their new prototype restaurants are smaller and more efficient than their bloated predecessors. The signature dark wood and stained glass remains, but with updated lighting and more comfortable seating. Currently operating in 15 states and 7 countries, Bennigan’s is proving that genuine hospitality never goes out of style!
4. Golden Corral: Buffet Bonanza Bounces Back
Thanksgiving dinner every day! That’s how my grandpa described Golden Corral, his favorite all-you-can-eat paradise. The pandemic nearly destroyed America’s largest buffet chain—a business model centered around shared serving utensils suddenly seemed like a biohazard nightmare.
Golden Corral refused to throw in the napkin. They’ve reinvented themselves with enhanced safety protocols including server-attended buffet stations, frequent utensil replacement, and hand sanitizing stations throughout. Some locations even introduced individual portion options and table service.
The legendary chocolate fountain (my personal weakness) has returned with new protective measures. Their famous endless breakfast has expanded to include trendy items like avocado toast alongside classics. With over 360 locations now operating—down from 490 pre-pandemic—Golden Corral is showing remarkable resilience by adapting their buffet concept for today’s health-conscious world while maintaining their “endless helpings” appeal.
5. The Ground Round: Family-Friendly Fun Returns
Throwing peanut shells on the floor was magical to 8-year-old me! The Ground Round’s unique “pay what you weigh” kids’ pricing and casual atmosphere made it THE place for family dinners in the 80s and 90s. When they suddenly closed all corporate locations in 2004, I thought those peanut-crunching days were gone forever.
Remarkably, loyal franchisees banded together to purchase the brand and slowly rebuild. The revived Ground Round Grill & Bar has maintained its family-friendly roots while upgrading the menu beyond basic burgers and fries to include healthier options and craft beers.
Their clever dual-atmosphere concept—family-friendly dining on one side and sports bar on the other—appeals to multiple demographics. Most locations have ditched the peanut shells (health codes got stricter), but the nostalgic memorabilia and approachable prices remain. Currently operating in the Midwest and Northeast, their steady expansion proves that genuine family restaurants still have a place in the dining landscape.
6. Casa Bonita: Pink Palace Gets A Culinary Upgrade
Cliff divers, Black Bart’s Cave, and sopapillas with honey—Casa Bonita was my childhood fantasy land! This legendary pink palace in Denver was more about spectacle than cuisine (let’s be honest, the food was terrible). When bankruptcy loomed in 2021, South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone swooped in like unlikely restaurant superheroes.
The Colorado natives purchased Casa Bonita for $3.1 million and immediately tackled its biggest weakness—the food. They hired James Beard Award-nominated chef Dana Rodriguez to completely overhaul the menu with authentic Mexican cuisine while preserving the theatrical atmosphere.
After a massive renovation, the 52,000-square-foot entertainment complex has reopened with the same cliff divers, puppet shows, and mariachi bands, but now paired with food you actually want to eat! The 30-foot waterfall still cascades into the diving pool, and yes, you can still raise the little flag for endless sopapillas—except now they’re delicious!
7. Roy Rogers: Riding Back Into The Spotlight
Fixing my plate at the Roy Rogers Fixin’s Bar was the highlight of road trips when I was a kid! This western-themed fast-food chain named after the famous cowboy once had over 600 locations before Hardee’s purchased and converted most of them in the 1990s.
The beloved brand has been staging a deliberate comeback, focusing on the Mid-Atlantic region where nostalgia for their roast beef sandwiches, fried chicken, and burgers runs deepest. Their signature Fixin’s Bar has returned (with updated safety measures) allowing customers to customize their sandwiches with fresh toppings.
New locations feature modern western décor that nods to their heritage without feeling like a theme park. The chain has embraced mobile ordering while maintaining their commitment to “quality, variety, and choice.” With plans to expand to 100 locations in the next five years, Roy Rogers is proving that even in fast food, sometimes the classics deserve a second ride.
8. Steak And Ale: Legendary Steakhouse Resurrection
My parents celebrated their anniversary at Steak and Ale every year—Dad always ordered the Kensington Club and raved about the salad bar. Founded by Norman Brinker (the restaurant genius behind Chili’s), this pioneering steakhouse chain completely disappeared after parent company Metromedia Restaurant Group’s 2008 bankruptcy.
After a 15-year absence, Steak and Ale is making an extraordinary comeback under Legendary Restaurant Brands. The first new location is set to open in 2023, promising to blend nostalgic elements with modern dining expectations.
The revived menu will feature beloved classics like Hawaiian Chicken and that famous herb-roasted prime rib alongside contemporary offerings. The iconic Tudor-style architecture will be updated while maintaining its distinctive character. The legendary salad bar will return—upgraded but still unlimited. For fans who’ve waited years to taste those signature garlic cheese rolls again, the revival feels like a culinary miracle!
9. Pizza Hut: Red Roofs Making A Comeback
Book It! pins earned me so many personal pan pizzas at Pizza Hut—my childhood reading motivation was entirely cheese-based! While Pizza Hut never disappeared completely, the iconic red-roofed restaurants with arcade games and dine-in service largely vanished as the chain shifted to delivery and carryout locations.
Surprisingly, Pizza Hut is reversing course by revitalizing their dine-in experience. The company has introduced a new restaurant concept called “The Hut Lane” that combines efficient carryout with modernized sit-down dining areas featuring self-serve beer taps and updated interiors.
They’re also embracing nostalgia by bringing back popular menu items from the 80s and 90s like the Big New Yorker and the Edge pizza. Some locations have even reintroduced the beloved lunch buffet! With over 18,000 restaurants worldwide, Pizza Hut isn’t exactly an underdog, but their return to experiential dining shows they understand what made those red-roofed restaurants special in the first place.