They were the places you stopped after football games, on road trips, or whenever the kids have a craving for something easy and familiar.
Now, several once-popular restaurant chains that seemed gone forever are making a comeback in 2025.
Some disappeared due to bankruptcy, changing tastes, or pandemic-related shutdowns.
But thanks to a mix of nostalgia, comfort food cravings, and smart rebrands, these names are getting a second chance.
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Here’s who’s back on the menu and possibly popping up in a strip mall near you.
Bennigan’s: The Monte Cristo Returns
After filing for bankruptcy in the 2000s, Bennigan’s has been slowly rebuilding — and in 2025, it’s eyeing a full-on return. The nostalgic pull of that towering Monte Cristo sandwich and classic pub vibe is strong, but this isn’t just a reboot of the old Bennigan’s.
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New ownership is modernizing the menu, bringing back signature décor, and leaning into “experiential dining” — creating casual, communal meals that feel familiar and fun. A handful of locations have already reopened in urban and suburban areas, and the laid-back vibe is just like fans remember.
Souplantation & Sweet Tomatoes: The Salad Bar Is Back
The pandemic dealt a hard blow to Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes — both owned by Garden Fresh Restaurants — forcing all 97 locations to close in 2020 after the self-serve model became temporarily unworkable.
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Now, the salad-and-soup buffet favorite is making a smarter, safer return. A renewed focus on health-conscious, allergy-friendly, and customizable meals is helping the brand find its footing again. With reimagined self-serve setups and a family-friendly vibe, the chain is attracting fresh interest in 2025.
Blimpie Subs & Salads: A Quiet Comeback for a Classic Sub Chain
At its peak, Blimpie operated more than 1,800 stores, but a bloated franchise system and tight margins shrank that number to around 200.
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Now owned by Kahala Brands, the sandwich chain is mounting a soft return by emphasizing Express locations, catering services, and simpler franchise models. The core menu remains familiar, and new store openings are being rolled out carefully — focusing more on staying power than rapid growth.
Steak ‘n Shake: From Full Service to Fast Counter
Steak ‘n Shake faced financial trouble in 2021 but avoided bankruptcy by overhauling its business model. The brand closed dozens of underperforming stores and restructured its franchise system.
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In 2025, it’s seeing new momentum by embracing counter service and kiosks, ditching traditional table service. The updated model is now being launched in high-traffic areas like airports, with an emphasis on fast, consistent service and streamlined operations.
Cici’s Pizza: Still Unlimited, 40 Years Later
Cici’s Pizza was once the buffet king of the pizza world, with more than 500 locations and a cult following. But by 2021, pandemic shutdowns and financial pressure forced the company into bankruptcy, shrinking it to around 300 stores.
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Now, in 2025, Cici’s is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a steady comeback. The brand has stabilized at 270 locations and is actively expanding again, drawing in families with bold new menu items like Oreo Brownie Pizza, Chicken and Waffle Pizza, and Nashville Hot Chicken Pizza — all while sticking to its no-frozen-dough policy.
What’s Old Is New Again
Whether it’s a Monte Cristo sandwich, a soup-and-salad combo, or a no-frills pizza buffet, these chains are tapping into something simple: people miss what feels good.
And in 2025, that means comfort food, nostalgic menus, and maybe — just maybe — a little comeback magic.
25 Country Stars With Their Own Bars + Restaurants
Of all of the side hustles country artists could partake in, opening a bar or restaurant is the most fitting — and very common. After all, many of these stars got their start on a barstool, tip jar nearby, playing their music for anyone who would listen.
These places feel like home for many of these singers. Over the years, several artists have gotten into the bar or restaurant game, and for a select few, brands have turned into franchises with several locations and/or concepts — we’re looking at you, Jimmy Buffett!
Let’s take a look at the country star food and entertainment venues that have opened over the years.
Gallery Credit: Jess
