13 Famous Chain Buffets We Loved But Have Now Shut Down for Good
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Buffets were a mainstay in American dining at one time, but inexpensive meals weren’t for groups or families. And yet the buffet industry had already long been on the wane before the pandemic: Sales dropped 25% from 2007 to 2017.
The COVID-19 pandemic hastened this decline, making it so bad that many turned to the streets out of concerns about sanitation and shifting consumer preferences. Today, nostalgic patrons find iconic buffet chains gone missing. Here are 13 buffet chain legacies that are, sadly, no more.
Old Country Buffet
Old Country Buffet was once one of the largest buffet chains in the U.S. and could easily be a family’s default when looking for hearty, home-style meals. At its height, it had over 350 locations around the country. It was known for its fried chicken, meatloaf, and limitless salad bar—the bread and butter of comfort food.
The brand has suffered from financial issues. In 2006 and again in 2016, bankruptcy filings followed declining customer traffic and more competition from fast-casual dining. None of its locations remain today.
Ryan’s Steakhouse
From 1961 to 1985, Ryan’s Steakhouse was the place to go for inexpensive steak and Southern flavors. It later became Ryan’s Buffet. Their pot roast and buttery rolls became legendary.
Years of declining sales and changing dining habits eventually caused all of Ryan’s locations to close their doors by 2018. Now, the only memories are the golden rolls and hearty meals.
Sizzler
It wasn’t just a buffet; it was an experience. Known for its salad bar and surfy (sic) surf and turf options, Sizzler offered diners a semi-upscale buffet experience.
The chain also could not compete with the boom of fast-casual restaurants and filed for bankruptcy in 2020. Like the buffet-style Sizzler many Americans loved, which has mostly vanished from the landscape, these few locations exist globally, too.
Hometown Buffet
Hometown Buffet was under the same parent company as Old Country Buffet, which was focused strictly on delivering well-known American comfort food.
Toshiba’s destruction was caused by mounting financial losses and local changes in dining preferences. In 2021, the chain closed its final locations.
Ponderosa Steakhouse
Pasta, hand-carved meats, and decadent desserts were among the many different meals Ponderosa Steakhouse was known for combining a buffet with a steakhouse menu.
Though international locations still exist under franchise agreements, Ponderosa’s U.S. footprint declined over time, and today, the chain feels like its days are long gone.
Sweet Tomatoes (Souplantation)
Sweet Tomatoes (or Souplantation, depending on where you live) focused on salads and fresh, healthier buffet options, where diners sought guilt-free indulgence.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic was very harsh for this brand. After the pandemic closures, Sweet Tomatoes couldn’t cover operational costs and closed all locations in 2020.
Pizza Inn Buffet
Many of us knew Pizza Inn Buffet for its pizza choices and customization options. Their cinnamon swirl pizzas were an icon of their dessert pizzas.
While Pizza Inn operates as a brand in certain parts of the nation, the buffet concept is gone from American communities.
Fresh Choice
Fresh Choice pioneered healthy dining, offering premium salads, soups, and an exciting buffet — with a twist.
Unfortunately, the brand also succumbed to the buffet’s decline and rising real estate prices. The last of its locations closed in 2012.
Valentino’s Grand Italian Buffet
The Nebraska-based chain focused on classics like pasta, pizza, and garlic bread. It was a cherished place in its local communities.
Its customers were loyal, but the idea couldn’t catch up with the times, and locations started closing in the early 2010s.
Duff’s Famous Smorgasbord
Duff’s was once known for its buffet, which featured an abundance of classic dishes. It had up to 150 locations. Variety was its emphasis, and diners came back for more.
The brand disappeared as competition grew, and Duff’s vanished by the late 2000s.
Buffets, Inc.
Many buffet brands owe their existence to Buffets, Inc., the parent company of Hometown Buffet and Ryan’s. Buffets, Inc. was instrumental in the development of casual buffet dining today.
It ran the legacy of its subsidiaries after several bankruptcies and attempts to restructure but killed it by ceasing operation.
Cicis Pizza Buffet
Cicis still runs some sites, but many of its buffet eateries did not weather the shifting tastes of consumers and the brunt of the pandemic.
Once a wide hit with its unlimited pizza concept, the chain drastically shrunk its footprint in recent years.
Golden Corral (Closing Locations)
Even though Golden Corral is still around with restaurants nationwide, it’s worth noting how it forced some huge closures. Many customers had to say farewell to their local Golden Corral, known for its steak nights and chocolate fountains.
While the chain muses on a future where takeout and delivery options continue to define it, the iconic buffet locations are declining.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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