Remember when getting fast food was all about grabbing quick, cheap eats? Well, times have changed. With prices going up and people watching their spending more than ever, some of the biggest names in fast food are struggling to keep their doors open. In fact, several well-known chains are already closing locations across the country, and some might not make it through 2025.
KFC faces major setbacks across America
Times are tough for the iconic fried chicken chain. KFC’s numbers tell a pretty shocking story about how much they’re struggling right now. Stores that used to have lines out the door are now seeing fewer and fewer customers walk in. The drop in foot traffic isn’t just a small dip – it’s become a serious problem that’s been getting worse for months.
Sales at KFC locations in the U.S. have dropped by 5% in just three months, and this isn’t a one-time thing. They’ve been seeing their numbers go down for three quarters in a row now. That’s almost a whole year of fewer people buying their chicken, which is a really big deal for a chain this size.
The company has tried different ways to bring customers back, like changing their menu and running special deals. But with food prices going up and people having less money to spend on eating out, these efforts haven’t been enough. Many folks are choosing to cook at home instead of spending money on fast food, even from well-known places like KFC.
Some KFC locations have already shut their doors for good, and more closures might be coming. The chain is trying to figure out how to stay relevant in a world where people want more than just quick, fried food. They’re up against tough competition from newer chicken chains that offer different options, and so far, they’re having trouble keeping up.
Subway loses its grip on the sandwich market
For years, Subway was everywhere – you could find their stores in almost every shopping center and street corner. But now, this sandwich giant is struggling to keep up. The chain that once bragged about having more locations than any other fast food place is now closing stores left and right, showing just how much things have changed.
Many Subway locations are shutting down across the country. The chain’s old approach of having tons of stores everywhere isn’t working anymore. People have more choices now, and they’re picking other places to get their sandwiches.
The problems go deeper than just having too many stores. Subway’s menu hasn’t changed much over the years, while other sandwich shops keep coming up with new ideas. Their $5 footlong deals, which used to bring in crowds, aren’t possible anymore with today’s high food costs. This leaves them stuck between charging more and losing customers, or keeping prices low and losing money.
Even with new menu items and store updates, Subway can’t seem to win back its old customers. Many people who used to grab a sub for lunch are now bringing food from home or choosing other places to eat. This shift in how people spend their money on food is hitting Subway particularly hard.
Papa John’s pizza sales continue to fall
Papa John’s is having a really rough time lately. The pizza chain that used to be a go-to for delivery and carry-out is watching its sales drop month after month. People aren’t ordering as much pizza as they used to, and it’s really starting to show in their numbers.
Sales have fallen by 6% across North America – their third straight quarter of declining numbers. This isn’t just a small bump in the road; it’s becoming a serious pattern that’s making people wonder if Papa John’s can turn things around.
The pizza delivery market has gotten super competitive. People have tons of choices now, from local pizza places to other chains that deliver all kinds of food. Papa John’s prices have gone up too, which makes it harder for families to justify ordering from them when grocery store frozen pizzas are so much cheaper.
Some stores have already closed their doors, and more might follow if things don’t improve soon. The chain is trying new menu items and deals, but with food costs staying high and delivery services taking big cuts of their profits, they’re finding it really hard to make enough money to keep stores open.
Burger King struggles to keep up with competition
Burger King isn’t having it their way anymore. The home of the Whopper is seeing fewer customers come through their doors, and their sales numbers are showing it. What used to be one of the biggest names in fast food is now struggling to keep people interested in their food.
Their U.S. sales dropped by 0.4% when other burger places were doing better. This might not sound like much, but it’s a big change from the year before when they were seeing their sales go up. Now they’re going in the wrong direction, and it’s worrying a lot of people who own Burger King restaurants.
The chain has tried updating their restaurants and changing their menu, but it hasn’t been enough to bring back customers who have switched to other places. Their prices have gone up like everyone else’s, but people don’t seem to think they’re getting enough value for their money anymore.
Some Burger King owners are closing their restaurants because they can’t make enough money to keep them open. The chain is trying to fix things by updating more stores and offering new deals, but these changes cost a lot of money, and not all restaurant owners can afford to make them.
Popeyes shows signs of serious trouble
Popeyes isn’t doing as well as you might think. Even though their chicken sandwich was super popular a few years ago, that excitement has worn off. Now they’re dealing with some real problems that are making it hard for them to keep customers coming back.
Recent reports show their U.S. sales dropped by 3.8%, and their total sales went down by 0.8%. This means fewer people are eating at Popeyes, even though they tried to copy their chicken sandwich success with other new menu items.
The magic of their chicken sandwich couldn’t last forever, and now they’re facing the same problems as other fast food places. Food costs more to make, workers want better pay, and customers aren’t willing to spend as much on fast food as they used to.
Some Popeyes locations have already closed, and more might follow if things don’t get better soon. The chain is trying to come up with new ideas to bring in customers, but it’s getting harder to stand out when there are so many other places selling chicken sandwiches now.
Ruby Tuesday continues its downward spiral
Ruby Tuesday has been having problems for years, and things aren’t getting any better in 2025. The chain that used to be a favorite spot for casual dining is now closing more locations, leaving empty buildings in shopping centers across the country.
The restaurant chain is shutting down more stores as they try to stay in business. They’ve already closed hundreds of locations over the past few years, and 2025 is seeing even more Ruby Tuesdays disappear from communities where they’ve been for decades.
The problems started before anyone had heard of COVID-19, but the pandemic made things much worse. Now, with food prices so high and people spending less money eating out, Ruby Tuesday can’t seem to find a way to make their restaurants work like they used to.
Even the locations that are still open are struggling to bring in enough customers to make money. The chain’s menu and style of service feel outdated to many people, and younger customers aren’t interested in sitting down for the kind of meals Ruby Tuesday offers.
TGI Fridays faces an uncertain future
TGI Fridays isn’t feeling very thankful these days. The restaurant chain known for its red and white stripes and fun atmosphere is dealing with serious money problems. They’re closing stores and trying to figure out how to stay relevant when people’s eating habits have changed so much.
Recent news shows that TGI Fridays is planning to close more locations in 2025. The chain has been struggling to keep up with changing times, and now they’re having to make tough decisions about which restaurants to keep open and which ones to shut down.
The restaurant’s menu and prices don’t seem to match what people want anymore. Customers who used to love going there for drinks and appetizers after work are now choosing other places or staying home. The casual dining style that made TGI Fridays famous isn’t drawing crowds like it used to.
Even trying to update their menu and look hasn’t helped much. The chain is caught between being an old-school casual restaurant and trying to appeal to younger customers who want different kinds of food and experiences when they eat out.
Sbarro pizza loses its place in food courts
Remember when every mall food court had a Sbarro? Those days are fading fast. The pizza chain that was once a mall staple is having a really hard time staying in business. With fewer people going to malls and food courts, Sbarro is struggling to find its place in today’s fast food world.
The chain is closing more locations as malls continue to lose shoppers. Their business model, which worked great when malls were packed with hungry shoppers, doesn’t work as well now that people shop online and eat differently.
Sbarro has tried opening stores outside of malls, but they haven’t had much success. Their pizza, which is made to sit under heat lamps and be ready for quick service, doesn’t compete well with delivery places that make fresh pizza to order.
The brand is trying to change with the times, but it’s proving really difficult. Their prices have gone up while quality hasn’t improved enough to make people choose them over other options. Many locations are closing, and the future of the chain looks pretty uncertain.
Firehouse Subs sales continue to drop
Firehouse Subs is feeling the heat, and not in a good way. The sandwich chain that built its name on hot subs and friendly service is seeing its sales numbers drop in a big way. They’ve built up a loyal following over the years, but now that loyalty is being tested as prices go up and people’s eating habits change.
Recent reports show their sales have fallen by 4.8% compared to last year. This isn’t just a small dip – it’s a sign that something isn’t working anymore. When a chain known for steady growth starts losing ground, it’s a red flag that bigger problems might be ahead.
The chain’s prices have gone up as food costs rise, which makes their sandwiches seem less like a good deal to many customers. People who used to stop in regularly for lunch are now bringing food from home more often or finding cheaper alternatives.
The competition in the sandwich market is fierce, with lots of other chains offering similar options, often at lower prices. Firehouse Subs is finding it harder to convince customers that their hot subs are worth the extra money, especially when people are trying to save on food costs.
BurgerFi deals with mounting losses
BurgerFi is another chain that’s running into serious trouble. They tried to be different by offering better quality burgers, but now they’re finding out that charging more for premium ingredients doesn’t always work out, especially when people are watching their spending.
The company recently filed for bankruptcy protection, showing just how tough things have gotten. They’re dealing with high food costs, worker shortages, and fewer customers coming through their doors – a combination that’s making it really hard to keep their restaurants open.
Some BurgerFi locations have already closed, and more might follow as the company tries to fix its money problems. Their attempt to offer a better burger experience hasn’t been enough to keep customers coming back when cheaper options are available everywhere.
The chain is stuck in a tough spot – they can’t lower their prices without giving up the quality that made them special, but keeping prices high means losing customers who can’t afford to spend that much on burgers anymore.
Fast food isn’t what it used to be. The days of cheap, quick meals seem to be fading as costs go up and people’s eating habits change. Some chains will find ways to adapt and survive, but others might disappear completely. The next time you drive by your favorite fast food place, you might want to stop in – it might not be there much longer.
