Four Once-Popular Restaurant Chains on the Down Side

From the April 9, 2022, MSN "4 once popular  burger chains that are currently shrinking" by Owen Duff.

1.  FRIENDLY'S

Founded 1935.  At peak in 1980s, had about 850 locations.  Currently at about 125.

2.  JOHNNY ROCKETS

Founded 1986.  About 147 remain.

3.  RUBY TUESDAY

Founded 1972.  Between 2016 and 2020 it shrank from 673 stores to 209.

4.  TGI FRIDAYS

Founded  1965.  Between 2017 and 2020 shrunk by more than 140 restaurants.  Now at just 311 locations.  

I used to go to the TGIF near Gurnee Mills in Gurnee, Illinois, quite often to play NTN trivia on the TVs..  Back then, all TGIFs had NTN.  Great food, reasonable beer prices and good times back then.

I'd never been to one of the first two on the list.

--Cooter

Five Pop Culture Trends That Helped Shape the 1980s

From the February 25, 2022, History  "Five pop culture trends that helped shape the 1980s" by Lesley Kennedy.

A mighty interesting list.  Hey, I remember those.  For more information (and pictures) go to the site.

1.  Women's Power Dressing:  

Shoulder pads, oversized double-breasted suits.

2.  Food + Fun = Entertainment:

Chuck E. Cheese, Show Biz Pizza, Medieval Times

3.  Music Goes Visual:

MTV, of course.  Would I have ever liked to have had this growing up.  Wow!!

4.  The Mall Food Court Had Its Heyday:

Hey, go eat while shopping.  Remember Orange Julius,  Sbarro, Panda Express and Auntie Anne's?

5.  Toy Crazes Spark Frenzies:

Three words:  Cabbage Patch Kids.  Also Rubik's Cube and Teddy Ruxpin.

I never ever was able to do that stupid cube!!

Hey, do you remember the very first song played on MTV?  (Answer below)

--CooterPatch

"Video Killed the Radio Star"

McDonald's Bring Overseas Offerings to U.S.

I wrote about 21 items offered at McDonald's in other countries back in December 2013 and they sounded delicious.

Now, I see they are bringing some here to the U.S. for limited times so I will have to get over there and check it out.

Sure hope they have the Kiwi Burger from New Zealand.

When I have been overseas, I never have had a problem going to an American fast food place as they often have different menu offerings.  I'd never, however, order a quarter-pounder or Big Mac.

--CootMac

History Wears a White Suit-- Part 1: Col. Sanders and KFC

From the September 11, 2016, Chicago Tribune  by Jay Jones.

"You might not have heard of Harland Sanders Cafe, but   you certainly know the famous fried chicken first served here more than 75 years ago.

"This  unassuming restaurant in a small town in southeast Kentucky is where Col. Harland Sanders perfected his secret blend of 11 herbs and spices and launched what would become Kentucky Fried Chicken, a corporate giant with nearly 20,000 outlets around the globe."

The white frame restaurant was built in 1940 in Corbin, Kentucky, and is on the NRHP.  We were driving on I-75 through the area and saw a sign for the place and just had to pull off the road and visit it.  I'm a fan but I do like Popeye's Chicken and Jewel chicken better.

The restaurant itself has been restored to its 1950s look and you can buy some chicken to eat in an addition to the place, which we had to do.

--ColCooter

Founder of Chick-Fil-A S. Truett Cathy, Died in 2014

From the September 8, 2014, Yahoo! News.

Mr. Cathy, 93, was a devout Southern Baptist who founded the company in 1987.  It now has 1,800 locations in 40 U.S. states.  In keeping with his religious beliefs, all are closed on Sundays.

I must admit I love their cow advertising.

Charles Weeghman-- Part 1, Chicago Entrepreneur and Cubs Owner

From Wikipedia.

I have been writing about the KKK in the Chicago area in the 1920s and their big initiation ceremony at the farm of millionaire Charles Weeghman in Lake Zurich, Illinois.

March 12, 1874-November 1, 1938

A founder of the short-lived Federal league (1914-1915).  made a fortune running a type of early fast food franchise in the Chicago area..  he worked for Charlie King in his restaurant and came up the idea of serving only cold sandwiches and cramming his diners together at one-armed school desks so that he could fit more chairs into his stores.

He eventually owned 15 stores in the Chicago area.  It was reported that his place at Madison and Dearborn in Chicago served 35,000 people a day.  At one time his net worth was put at $8 million.

--Cooter

Burger Wars

From the Feb, 23, 2015, Time Magazine "Small Business Fast Food."

Chains and their Main Burgers.

WENDY'S--  Founded 1969 in Columbus, Ohio.  Signature Burger: Dave's Hot 'N Juicy 1/4-lb single.  fresh, never-frozen beef.

SMASHBURGER--  Founded 2007 in Denver.  Signature Burger: Classic Small Smash.  Burgers are packed loosley and then "smashed" on a grill.

McDONALD'S--  Founded 1948 in San Bernardino, Cal.  Signature Burger: Big Mac.  You know what it has.  Sing it.

SHAKE SHACK--  Founded 2004 in New York City.  Signature Burger: Single Shackburger.  Its mission-- "stand for something good."  63 stores today and opening 10 a year.

BURGER KING--  Founded 1954 in Miami.  Signature Burger: Whopper.  has changed hands several times before merging with Tim Horton's in 2014.  Tout their flame-grilled burgers.

FIVE GUYS--  Founded in 1986 in Arlington, Virginia.  Signature Burger: Little Cheeseburger.  More than 250,000 ways to top it  Each order of fries is heaped with lots of extras.

I've never had a Smashburger, Shake Shack or Five Guys.

Gettin' Migty Hongry!  --Cooter