4 American Food Chains That Died And Came Back | Rise and Fall Marathon | Business Insider

You'd think that Subway, TGI Friday's, Chuck E. Cheese, and Applebee's were too big to fail - but they have all had to come back from the brink of disaster to be the brands they are today.
00:00 - Intro
00:30 - Subway
08:07 - Chuck E. Cheese
18:03 - Friday’s
27:18 - Applebee’s
31:11 - Credits
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4 American Food Chains That Died And Came Back | Rise and Fall | Business Insider

[@Uneedhelp91]

My local Subway...only one in 25miles is awful. Their hours change like the wind. You never know when "the computer is down" and they won't take coupons or card. On top of that the franchise owner has started to cut corners. Knowing that a Subway franchise cost is relatively low, I wonder if I could just start one and put the other one out of business. Then swoop in and buy that location.

[@darealphantom]

You should‼️

[@LauraFunFunFloweries]

They won't take cards? So cash only? Sounds......suspish

[@hurtspublishing3906]

They changed the bread. If you had a jersey mike or Jimmy John or lucky enough to have a publix you won't want a subway nowhere. Jersey mike and Jimmy johns is way better

[@jaimeortega4940]

Subway's food quality went down and there are so many locations that franchises are in competition with each other similar to 7-11 who also doesn't own any stores just sells franchises. That alone tells you these aren't that profitable,

[@stevenporter863]

I miss the Subway $5. The quality and attention to detail (custom made) has gone really down while prices skyrocketed. What was $5 is now $11 plus they want a tip - and the quantity of food to make the sandwich has gone way down too (soggy limp lettuce and seems like all white ends of tomatoes). Subway for over 20 years, now it is just a don't have a choice.

[@RedRoseSeptember22]

Same! Those were the days, could get lunch/dinner for 2 for about $10-$15 depending on what all you got. Now you have to pay extra for a normal sandwich :( @@stevenporter863

[@Musique61414]

Jared didn't help.

[@lawrup]

I literally hold the subway franchise in the palm of my hand

[@goodgame3374]

They need to improve the bread

[@mariebelladonna437]

Video: "The 90s, early 2000s was the best era for Chuck. E. Cheese." Me: Laughs in cigarette smoke scented, dark, dirty carpeted, creepy animatronic-ed Gen X.

[@robertbarrows8847]

One important point concerning Subway is that it did not regulate the spacing between locations. This caused major problems. Hopefully the "Subway Series" will get things moving.

[@Muslim-in3nz]

Can you further explain that? I don't understand

[@robertbarrows8847]

@@Muslim-in3nz Unlike other fast food franchisees, Subway did not regulate the distances between locations. As a result, the performance of aome locations suffered to the point that they had to close

[@Muslim-in3nz]

@robertbarrows8847 oh that makes a lot of sense, thank you

[@12HpyPaws]

Jared didn't help the Subway reputation.

[@phreak761]

Really? 😮

[@LauraFunFunFloweries]

He's always felt creepy, even at the beginning

[@PorkShark]

I love how Chuck E Cheese opened up in San Jose but the map icon is pointing to Los Angeles

[@ashutoshshahi9321]

what do you love about that particularly? the bad sense of geography?

[@letzsnuggzz]

Bring back the $5 foot long!

[@SirWhiteFireO]

Only thing subway has for me its the sweet onion sauce. Can't really seem to get that at other sub places.

[@MondkeksLP]

For me it's the Caesar dressing. Mixed with more parmesan it is a big part of my personal dream sandwich.

[@DemarcusQ]

Chucky cheese can easily make a big comeback again. 30’s are the new 20’s if you can bring asthetic for the aged fans some new hangout spot better then Dave & Busters people will be lining up for days.

[@ambersouthwick3509]

Subway is struggling in Canada because its so expensive here.

[@Oi-Oi-Oi-420]

In your opinion, is the service got better , in the lasts years? Not only at subway , in all the food places specially in small family restaurants?

[@thecunninlynguist]

Chuck E Cheese's pizza improved from when I was a kid...it's edible now.

[@KT-ki6gz]

Lol I remember we never bothered to eat the pizza whenever someone had a party there

[@reckless110]

I remeber going there as a kid and not really liking the pizza that much. Now I see videos on youtube and the pizza looks much better than I remembered. I have zero reasons to go to a Chuck E Cheese now to try it though lol

[@rosameryrojas-delcerro1059]

I have never been to a Chuck E Cheeses.

[@blackwilliams88]

I just wanna know who is ordering Chuck-e-cheese for delivery and carryout during the pandemic?? @16:30

[@gmurayama]

Great video! You guys should do one on the travel industry! You could do airlines in all the different areas (Private, Legacy, LCC, ULCC, bankrupt like TWA or Pan Am, etc.). You could do hotel chains like on Hilton, Marriott, Choice, Wyndham, etc. You could also tap into the car rental space like Enterprise or Hertz or Avis! I think these could be really interesting. Could even tap into Uber/Lyft how it impacted the taxi industry. Or Airbnb/Vrbo how it cancelled out Craigslist. So many possibilities!

[@henryparedes7534]

Subway messed up when they caught them using yoga mat ingredients in the bread. Look it up this was in 2014

[@ElMalito187]

Interesting how the Chuckie Cheese animatronic sounded an awful lot like John Leguizamo.

[@user-yt9id8zq3g]

Subway...I hate standing there pointing out every ingrediant.

[@fillhixx]

For fans that’s a major feature. YMMV

[@MarkGilliam-er7rs]

Truck drivers live on Subways. I know I did. Sometimes twice a day, Was a convenience. Always get the same exact thing

[@Mineral2290]

Fogle took the term "Eat Fresh" a little too seriously.

[@TheNome92]

😂😂

[@polygonalfortress]

bro 💀

[@MOBMJ]

I really hope TGI Fridays stays open. They find a way to stay in business because, I really like it. The food is good and fair for the price I think.

[@jerijayz3929]

The editor of this video has done a good job.

[@yakitatefreak]

Chuck E Cheese location in the infographic was way off. It's in the Bay Area. Huge oversight.

[@bakmyster]

Leveraged buy outs seem to kill a lot of businesses. I'd like to see which companies actually benefitted from private equity

[@pomprocks]

Founders are happy to get a payout. In my own experience private equity might come out with a small profit before driving the company to the ground.

[@joshuahill6153]

First Group originally First Bus was a UK bus company publicly owned after the 80s in the UK a managerial buyout occurred following the Bus Transport Sector's privatisation. First Group operated Greyhound Canada, First Student (Massive North American School Bus Company) First Rail, and many acquisitions resulting in a monopoly of some bus operations globally. To date it pulls in billions in revenue and millions in net profit.

[@tehfiredog]

@@joshuahill6153 Yeah... but that's not really the same thing. Or doesn't seem like it at least.

[@halycon404]

@@joshuahill6153 First Group isn't a representative company. They were given and continue to hold a government granted monopoly on services for core business as no one wants 5 different competing bus fleets clogging up downtown Aberdeen. There's been more than a few calls over the decades to revoke them. Then there's all the government money still pumped into them. Every time Scotland announces an initiative for bus fleets what it really means is they're going to be giving First Group millions of dollars to do something. There is a lot of anger over that company in certain circles. They're privatized but the tax payers are still paying them money every year to provide the service they're supposed to be able to run without it. That was the entire point of privatizing it.

[@DBR00]

The last time I ate at TGIF’s, they didn’t have any clean silverware. I kid you not. That was the last time I ate there. Never went back.

[@sleepwalker29]

Chuck E Cheese was a arcade that sold pizza in the 80s. It wasn't a restaurant. Most people went there to play games and not eat their expencive pizza geared towards birthday parties.

[@WildWildWest83]

Sizzler's should be on this list as well.

[@Sumawillbeurkitten]

Sizzlers was my favourite place to go

[@catw6998]

Yea, I miss Sizzler’s too.

[@guyfawkes7999]

Subway segment - 😖Vocal Fry needs to be outlawed

[@jessejames9149]

My Chucky Cheese location (Fullerton, CA) closed! So many memories.

[@RedRoseSeptember22]

Most of these places have really gone downhill and are still bad today, at least in my area they are. Applebee's and Subway will never get my business again, Subway skimps on the ingredients now and I refuse to pay extra for my usual order, and last time I ate at Applebee's they served me undercooked chicken, never again!!!

[@anauticalgate5496]

Chicken "Tartar" ? Whoa ...nasty.

[@tiamat9360]

We have a really good subway nearby, the owners are very nice. I like them a lot. The coupons let you get a footlong for around 7 dollars and its a good deal of you load ot up with vegetables and things

[@jerijayz3929]

Incredible, Informative, and very Cultural for all Americans who were a part of the greatest franchises to have ever done it.

[@MrMarcodarko]

I miss quizinos

[@stingray4real]

In the UK Wendy's and Tac Bell were introduced during the 1990s. They were closed down due to poor sales. Happily enough they bounced back in the UK during the 2020s.

[@shakes.816]

Company man did it better.

[@vangandre]

my subway is greedy with the olive and lettuce, when i ask for olive. they will just line it one by one across the sandwich.

[@jobturkey7418]

You realize they have to make a profit right? What are you an olive hamster?

[@bryandixon4071]

The pin on your highly pixelated map for Chuck-E-cheese for where San Jose is looks like it's in LA not anywhere close to San Jose.

[@davidstephens2244]

subway failed because they got rid of the $5 footlong. I'm not paying 40 dollars for two footlong meals.

[@jeffbergstrom]

The TGI Fridays near me have massively dwindled in quality. It feels like they suffered from that endless effort at cost cutting and things just keep getting a little bit worse and then it is all a lot worse.

[@onetwo-dr8hl]

Last decent Friday’s experience I had was probably around 2010 when they had a 3 course deal for $12.99..app, entree and a pretty good cheesecake slice 😂

[@dioniciotorres4290]

From San Jose CA, I remember the chuck e cheese. 😊😊😊 Good times

[@BORDERSSAFARISTRAVEL]

WATCHING FROM 🇰🇪 KENYA 🇰🇪

[@chicobean5318]

You are not alone.tuko pamoja

[@rd9102]

I miss TGI Friday's, the only one out here closed. Hopefully they come back. Applebee's is great and we go there all the time.

[@tika2glamorous]

It’s the opposite in Chicago all of our Apple bees closed and we only have Fridays now

[@sashazor3o]

Applebee's food sucks now. I prefer Fridays or Chili's 😊

[@cadimarucut7724]

@@sashazor3o I ate at Applebee's once in Calgary 🇨🇦 now closed.

[@abigailsara]

My childhood best friend had her birthday party at Showbiz Pizza, it was probably 88 or 89, even as a 6 or 7 year old I found it disturbingly creepy 😂😂 I hadn't thought about it in decades until seeing this. Probably going to have nightmares about the old animatronic animals 😂😂 I never knew it was a chain , I just thought it was a weird kids place in NJ.

[@mikelight495]

Actually there was a c.e.cheese in a upscale suburb of Buffalo n.y. last I heard the town of Amherst wanted to shut it down as for knife & gun violence at the c.e.c. people would drop their kids off unsupervised like it was a day care.

[@robertcgage]

I've never been to Chuck Cheese, and I haven't any plans to.

[@stevenporter863]

Never to a Chuck Cheese, probably 15+ years since I was inside an Applebee's or TFI Fridays. Either cook at home or so many better, cheaper and healthier options

[@robertcgage]

@@stevenporter863 100%

[@KrazyJ1100]

Shieeeet!

[@user-os3fz1yt6f]

Congratulations. No one asked.

[@liltokky5096]

how are you verified with less than 100K subs

[@jasonbean2764]

Friday's had a spot in Tampa International Airport for several years. I wonder if it's still there?

[@demonatemu]

27:30 ngl ive gotten food poisoning from 3 different applebees so i'm never going again

[@CashFraser]

What a food. Amazing

[@mycraft]

Tgi Friday is a story about a single man and woman that met and then got married, they stopped doing the swingers life and just focusing on being married and eating good food.

[@jergervasi3331]

That Kate Taylor woman has crazy "vocal burn".... "People love the raaaaaaaaaaat". She must be from "El Laaaaaaaaaay". And what's with Business Insider getting their analysis graphics from the vastly superior Company Man channel? I mean, they gave the credit, but....

[@samanthastern7344]

Yes, her vocal fry was driving me crazy!!!

[@heatherprincipe8537]

Well the TGI Fridays where I live was next to a stupid club for years. That club no longer exist but heard had changed to another sleezier establishment which may not exist anymore. So, that makes sense. I didn't know the history of TGI Fridays. But, my experience with their food was far from great so nothing to miss. I do like the name TGI Friday's though.

[@catw6998]

I used to like going to eat at Quiznos and then after we lost ours, it came down to Subway. Then we felt ripped off as the commercial subs looked nothing like you would get. Then the stories about the quality /freshness of meats, et cetera came into focus. The newer menu items at Subway has been helpful. Bu5 then the franchisees had the option to play along with the specials BOGO. You had the coupon in hand but when you got to front to order, you were told that store didn’t participate. 😡😡😡. Being that we lived in one state and worked in another, it was getting difficult to remember which stores participated and which ones didn’t.. Like every food place in a Mall or a big business like Walmart, Subway, has to keep on top with rent. Had a fave Ma&Pa cake and coffee shop that eventually exited. Rumors flew that Mall was charging them 3x more than some of the stores likeSears or JCP. In actuality, we didn’t go to the mall for JCP., we went to share their latte and sometimes a slice of their cake.

[@Rocanala]

Potbelly is so much better. Subway is the place you go if there are no other options.

[@michael2244]

Where I live there are two Subways literally a block away from each other

[@harmoneyreilly4225]

For me it' All comes down to cost been the biggest point but with that health to subway for example I could not even tell you the last time I went I no a lot of people saying that in uk it's just too expensive when you have so many cheaper options if they had cheaper deals or reduce the prices I go back right away.

[@darealphantom]

Chuck E Cheese definitely was the go to birthday spot or just a great place I wanted to go to growing up from 6-11 years old. Subway is still terrible at most locations I got sick a few times stop eating them in 2016 and just recently had it, it was much better than I could remember. TGI Fridays has always been terrible I’ve never had a good food experience there. It was a great hang out place when I lived in a small town in Virginia other than that I will avoid them at all cost.

[@anitapollard1627]

Showbiz was very cool 🤪

[@SFVYachtClub]

I eat work lunches at the nearby Chuck E Cheese because it's a rumble arena for local low income adults.

[@mikelight495]

Who would have imagined that Chuck e cheese would become violent place?

[@MichaelLee-do7wb]

26 years later i stilll remmer my first time at chuck e cheese place was lit

[@dukemexplorer481]

The chili at Wendy's been there since the 1980s so they didn't just bring it in for healthy reasons

[@sayittomyfaceidareyou8629]

The subways in my city didn't change the insides at all

[@mdarrenu]

Subway - greed and treating franchisees like crap

[@regorRegor]

Publix makes great sandwiches.

[@ForTheFLOL]

When the narrator says Dine Brands, I hear dying brands.

[@Kleavers]

Last time I went to Subway (Europe) was like years after I had stopped going. It was bad. The food was subpar, and the guy making the sandwich gave the impression he'd rather be doing anything else. Didn't care at all.

[@jamesmarkham1887]

TGI Fridays when they had those endless apps 😢

[@sunshinepatsoph4219]

Plus the customer experience in certain areas in NY ......ran for the hills, your food is compromise.

[@PelonMusk]

Blah Blah Blah bring back Chi-Chi's

[@applemauzel]

13:39 wasn't that due to a copyright issue given that showbiz animatronics was owned by someone other than the company? so they can't use it anymore and just decided to reskin it into chuck and crew?

[@NormanSilver]

Subway proved that pet food could be used as a filler and NOT get caught.

[@wteverisgud]

Just avoid the subway chicken and steak. Their breakfast egg cheese and bacon breakfast sub is delicious though. They don't usually mess that up as far as bad ingredients.

[@MondkeksLP]

I have had luck with the salami so far but all my experiences with subway have been in germany so maybe that should be taken into consideration.

[@Snoy_Fly]

I like Subway, but they made make my own food which beats the point😂

[@user-sx9hu2nl8t]

I quit doing business with Subway after spending at least $2000 a year for 15 years. Why? Because they do NOT accept their own discount coupons that their Corporate sends out. I haven't bought a Subway since before the COVID-19 pandemic. They still send me totally worthless discounts every week via US Mail. I throw them in the trash heap. I now vote with my dollars at Jimmy Johns and love it! No bait and switch BS there.

[@Private-wj4nd]

I love Jimmy Johns too but they’re 30 minutes away. I like Firehouse too. Last time I ate Firehouse it was cheaper than Subway.

[@user-sx9hu2nl8t]

@@Private-wj4nd Subway has really got outta hand on their prices going up, up, always up. I heard Subway is in big trouble financially. Thankfully, I don't have to drive far. I have two Jimmy Johns within a mile of my home. I get a better sub from them but it is a bit more money. Then again, Joe B. says we are running only 2% inflation but it feels like 32%! Do you notice that too?

[@nilanjanachatterjee9023]

Watching from India 🇮🇳

[@AcesAndNates]

Watching India from Pakistan 🇵🇰

[@Calvin7007]

Watching From Chicago IL USA 😎

[@harmoneyreilly4225]

I hardly go to subway Way its way to expensive and a lot of people are saying McDonald's is getting expensive too

[@BenjaminWSong]

I miss their classic wedge cut... from time when ingredients were actually fresh...

[@captaintalon4485]

Forgot one of the big things about Chuck E. Cheese’s downfall. Chuck E. Cheese’s had also unfortunately became a place where all out brawls seem to occur

[@benjaminlehman3221]

12:01 Dave and busters is the best of them all.

[@jobturkey7418]

Subway = some kid microwaving sandwiches left out in an open fridge

[@onetwo-dr8hl]

That was probably written in the business plan 😂

[@briandanuff]

Is it just me or does the guy sound a lot like Defunctland?

[@chrisdavies5255]

I think Subways food quality turned to garbage. Haven't been there for years, nor do I intend to.

[@dianewhittemore5350]

The one sandwich I like was discotinued about twenty years ago. Barbcuebeef. The ony one I liked. There someI Like, but can't eat to thick for me, bread tto dry.

[@TheValkary]

I guess heavily chlorinated vegetables are a lot healthier than a big Mac

[@mikegarcia597]

In California at least I refuse to go into a subway unless I really have to. Rude AF ppl who pretend not to speak English who wanna put 3 olives and a sliver of avocado on the sandwiches.

[@stevenporter863]

26:33 2021 'growth' was not really 'growth', more like pent up demand from 2020 pandemic. That is a short lived flash in the pan, not a fresh wave.

[@robert_22]

Shouldn't it be called fall and rise? If they came back?

[@andrewgoldman9279]

it is no?

[@richardsequeirateixeira]

For me Subway is no go ever since they got rid of their pastrami.

[@tonystank_kick]

2:56 they remember him for something else than losing weight

[@zacharyholzworth7442]

It feels like they rushed through Applebees compared to other restaurants

[@kathysharpe7339]

Show Biz. 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@hasanx8066]

I tell my daughter she can do anything she wants for her Birthday. Kid: Chuck E. Chesse Me: Nah we not doing that. We can go to somebody else Chuck E Cheese Party grab the brass ring kid

[@christinalemke6780]

The pizza was horrible and those freaking animated things were scary I had my 6th birthday there and me and brother an sister and most of my friends were all afraid of it. We ordered pizza and left it ruined my birthday

[@tika2glamorous]

That is so sad 😢

[@W4ZFN]

does knowing they're bolted too the floor make them a bit less scary?

[@JD-lx2yf]

This is almost the same story take as John Oliver from a while back.

[@achalgoyal7109]

Subway becoming pouler in india day by day

[@gregcooks9]

You forgot to mention the part where they copied amato's In Portland Maine

[@racheljustrachel2732]

Subway, sandwiches were so light. Its mostly veggie but still soo little inside the sandwich. But i guess who owns the franchise.

[@jigglybits]

Are the sound levels not balanced on this video? I kept having to adjust my volume ever so often.

[@BoondockGore]

Chucky cheese and subway are not back. Having Charles Barkley commentate your commercials for millions, when you should be putting that in the quality of your sandwiches, is not a comeback

[@rara1800]

Never heard of show biz pizza

[@finishfirst4580]

Subway will be around for a long long time

[@M2E-cq5qd]

i guess in california subway not required to pay 20 an hour since they bake bread. if they don't sell the bread in California stand alone they will soon.

[@LauraFunFunFloweries]

Applebee's is dark & sticky; their tablet menu is oily & sticky, & the weird table set up + carpet choice, feels like being in a pedo's camper van

[@tobim5574]

Why is that lady sticking to the vocal fry like that

[@joelhernandez7938]

Cheapest ? Sike it’s about 17 dollars now for a foot long chicken bacon ranch chips and a drink

[@Private-wj4nd]

Yep No way I’m paying that! I get primo Boar’s Head meat at Publix and make my own sandwiches. Cheaper and way better.

[@BogumilaKrupa-Munguia]

MY AUNT OWNS A SUBWAY AND A BASK AND ROBENS