When a national chain closes, it may linger in the form of one or only a few single remaining locations. York Steak House, for example, stopped being a national chain in the mid-1980s and now only has a single restaurant left operating in Columbus, Ohio.
That's true of a number of brands including Sizzler, Ponderosa, and Ground Round. A few of these chains, however, including one that went fully out of business and did not have a single operating restaurant for 16 years, are attempting to make a real comeback.
Former restaurant chains with only a handful of locations left
- Casa Bonita Founded in 1968. Once had multiple locations in OK, AR, and TX. Only the Lakewood, Colorado location remains as of 2025. Source: Casa Bonita
- Ground Round Grill & Bar Peak: Dozens of locations nationwide. After bankruptcy in 2004, most closed. Today only a handful survive, mostly independently owned. Source: Food Republic
- York Steak House Peak: 200 locations in the 1980s. Declined rapidly. Only one location remains in Columbus, Ohio. Source: TheStreet
- Ponderosa Steakhouse/Bonanza Steakhouse Combined peak: Hundreds of locations. Now only 21 locations remain in the U.S. Source: TheStreet
- Tad's Steaks Former inexpensive cafeteria-style steakhouse chain. Only one remaining location reportedly exists in the U.S. Source: TheStreet
- Steak and Ale Peak: 280 locations. Closed entirely in 2008 (Chapter 7 bankruptcy). Today: One or two locations reopened under new ownership. Source: Legendary Restaurant Brands
- Chi‑Chi's Peak: More than 200 U.S. locations. Closed all U.S. locations in 2004. Today: One location reopened in Minnesota (2025) as part of a brand revival. Source: USA Today
- Bennigan's Peak: 150+ corporate restaurants. Closed most in 2008 (bankruptcy). 21 locations remain plus a new "On the Fly" concept. Source: TheStreet
Steak and Ale came back from the dead
While most of these brands are operated by former franchisees with no plans to make a national comeback, Steak and Ale is different. Paul Mangiamele of Legendary Restaurant Brands purchased Steak and Ale, along with Bennigan's, in 2015.
He bided his time, but never gave up the dream of relaunching the chain, which had closed its doors for the last time back in 2008. That finally happened back in July.
"The long-awaited return of classic chain Steak and Ale is here: Legendary Restaurant Brands officially opened the first new location on July 8 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebration. Located at 14201 Nicollet Avenue South in Burnsville, Minnesota, the new restaurant sits in a 5,000-square-foot space inside the Wyndham Nicollet Inn -- though it has its own outside entrance and a patio -- and can seat up to 225 guests," LRB shared on the Bennigan's website.