7 Florida Restaurant Chains That Went Bust And Nobody Really Cares
Florida’s dining landscape has always been a revolving door of flavor and flair. Over the years, some beloved eateries closed their doors to heartfelt goodbyes, while others vanished so quietly you’d hardly notice they were gone.
The seven restaurant chains on this list were born right here in the Sunshine State, each enjoying their moment of glory… before fading into obscurity with barely a bite of resistance.
1. BurgerFi: Lauderdale-by-the-Sea’s Premium Burger Flop
Fancy burgers at fancy prices! BurgerFi tried positioning itself as the sophisticated alternative to fast-food patties, with its earth-friendly messaging and premium ingredients.
The chain expanded too rapidly and by late 2024, crushed under estimated liabilities between $100 million and $500 million, filed for Chapter 11 on September 11, 2024. Locations closed across Florida with barely a social media mention.
For all their talk of sustainability, the only thing that wasn’t sustainable was their business model.
2. Crispers: Lakeland’s Forgotten Salad Stop
Remember those bright, airy storefronts with the fancy salads and sandwiches? Publix grocery chain scooped up Crispers in 2007, hoping to cash in on the health-conscious lunch crowd.
But the concept wilted faster than day-old lettuce. By October 2022, every single location had shuttered permanently, and most Floridians didn’t even notice.
The chain’s demise was so quiet that former regulars often still pull into empty parking lots, momentarily confused about where their mediocre $12 salads went.
3. Tijuana Flats: Orlando’s Tex-Mex Casualty
Hot sauce wall? Check. Offbeat decor? Check. Staying power? Not so much. This Orlando-born Tex-Mex chain once seemed unstoppable with its quirky vibe and hot sauce obsession.
In April 2024, Tijuana Flats filed Chapter 11 and closed 11 locations that week alongside an ownership change. I still remember taking my first date there in college, bragging about their famous “Tijuana Tuesdayz” deals that apparently couldn’t save them.
Their hot sauce bar might’ve packed heat, but their business strategy left customers cold.
4. Bahama Breeze: Darden’s Tropical Mistake
Palm trees, Caribbean-inspired drinks, and bland food masquerading as island cuisine – Bahama Breeze tried to bring vacation vibes to strip mall parking lots across Florida.
Darden Restaurants finally admitted defeat in mid-2025, closing 15 locations in May 2025 including several in its home state. Executives then said they would pursue strategic alternatives (including a potential sale or conversion), with about 28 locations remaining.
Turns out, Floridians living in an actual tropical paradise didn’t need to pay for a corporate interpretation of island atmosphere.
5. Red Lobster: The Seafood Giant’s Embarrassing Fall
Those cheese biscuits couldn’t save them. Despite being headquartered in Florida since 1968, Red Lobster filed for bankruptcy in 2024, closing at least 17 locations in its home state.
The chain that once defined middle-class special occasions became a punchline, with frozen seafood and dated decor that screamed “1990s dining experience.”
Floridians with access to actual fresh seafood had already abandoned ship long before the corporate entity officially sank.
6. Hooters: Clearwater’s Wing Joint Time Forgot
Founded in 1983 in Clearwater, Hooters built its brand on chicken wings and a business model that feels increasingly awkward in modern times. After declaring bankruptcy in 2025, several Florida locations went dark.
I drove past their original Clearwater location recently – it’s still open at 2800 Gulf-to-Bay Blvd., not an empty building. The chain’s outdated concept had been losing relevance for years.
Turns out, Florida diners eventually decided they could enjoy chicken wings without the side of questionable workplace culture.
7. Biff Burger: Clearwater’s Fast-Food Fossil
Before McDonald’s dominated every corner, Biff Burger (which stood for “Best In Fast Food”) was Clearwater’s homegrown answer to the burger revolution of the 1950s.
Once scattered across the Southeast, the chain slowly vanished over decades. The final authentic Florida location closed in 2021, ending an era with barely a whimper.
Their signature “roto-broiled” patties and space-age buildings are now just fading memories for Florida’s oldest residents and obscure trivia for fast-food historians.