Remember the taste of a burger, shake, or a signature drink from a beloved chain that seems to have vanished? While many iconic restaurants from our past are gone forever, a fascinating few are not quite extinct. This post explores the nearly extinct restaurant chains where only a few lonely outposts remain – specifically, those with fewer than five locations still operating. Discover where to find these rare spots and taste history.
I have a lifelong obsession with the history of restaurants. Some historical items from these and many other defunct restaurant chains were once on display at my Burger Museum in Miami, Florida.
Restaurant Chains Left with a Few Locations
Druther’s
Known to many in the heartland, perhaps best as Burger Queen, Druther’s actually got its start down in Winter Haven, Florida. While the chain itself largely faded from the map, one particular location has remained a steadfast survivor since 1970: the Druther’s in Campbellsville, Kentucky. This outpost boasts a remarkable legacy, having been owned and operated by the same family, the McCartys, since the day it opened.
Step inside this time-tested restaurant, and you’ll find a menu that’s a genuine blast from the past, largely untouched save for a few additions over the years. And for those craving a classic, yes, the iconic Royal Burger is still on the menu and is just as delicious as you remember (or as tasty as you hope!).
Here’s where the story takes an unusual turn: the original Druther’s corporation didn’t vanish entirely. It still exists, but in a bizarre corporate afterlife, it pivoted completely and now owns six Dairy Queen restaurants in Indiana and Kentucky. So, while the parent company is busy with Blizzards, the Campbellsville spot stands as the one, the only, remaining Druther’s restaurant, kept alive by dedicated family ownership.
Visit the last location:
Druther’s
101 N Columbia Avenue
Campbellsville, KY
(270) 465-3870
Website: https://druthersrestaurant.com
Henry’s Hamburgers
Before the golden arches were everywhere, there was Henry’s Hamburgers, founded in 1954 by Henry Bresler after seeing the McDonald’s operation in San Bernardino. This chain was a powerhouse in its own right, boasting over 200 restaurants across the U.S. by the early 1960s.
Like many chains of that era, Henry’s eventually faced challenging times and saw its vast footprint shrink dramatically. But one tenacious outpost refused to disappear. The Henry’s Hamburgers in Benton Harbor, Michigan, which opened way back in April 1959, survived the decline.
Today, it stands as the very last Henry’s. It’s owned and operated by Dave Slavicek, who became the sole owner in 2006, and his son, Mark – dedicated stewards keeping this piece of fast-food history alive. Having made the pilgrimage there myself, I can tell you it’s truly like walking into a perfectly preserved restaurant from the past. And more than just a nostalgia trip, the burgers were fantastic, proving this isn’t just history, but still great food.
Visit the last location:
Henry’s Hamburgers
1832 M 139
Benton Harbor, MI
(269) 926-6757
Website: https://henryshamburgers.com
Hot ‘n Now
For a brief, blazing moment in the late 1980s and early 90s, Hot ‘n Now felt like it could be the next big thing in fast food. You might even remember grabbing one of their famously inexpensive burgers from a drive-thru back then – a distant memory, but you recall the low prices!
Founded in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in 1984, Hot ‘n Now enjoyed a rapid ascent, expanding to over 150 locations nationwide. But this meteoric rise met a precipitous fall after PepsiCo acquired the chain in 1990. By 1995, more than eighty locations were already permanently closed. This corporate maneuvering even had a strange ripple effect, reportedly souring Pepsi‘s relationship with the beloved In-N-Out Burger and nudging them towards a permanent switch to Coke.
As ownership changed hands multiple times, the Hot ‘n Now footprint continued to shrink dramatically. A tragic fire eventually claimed the Bay City, Michigan, location, leaving just one solitary outpost standing for years. However, there’s recent exciting news for Hot ‘n Now fans: the current owners have announced plans to open two additional locations in Alpena and Wayland, Michigan, signaling a potential comeback for this nearly extinct brand.
Visit the last location:
Hot ‘n Now
69310 M 66
Sturgis, MI
(269) 651-1983
Website: https://hot-n-now.com
Ollie’s Trolley
Born from an idea by former Kentucky Governor John Y. Brown Jr. (who also had a hand in building KFC) and featuring the spiced-up burger perfected by Miami restaurateur Ollie Gleichenhaus, Ollie’s Trolley was a distinctive force in the 1970s fast food landscape. Instantly recognizable by their small, bright red and yellow buildings designed to look like trolley cars, these walk-up joints specialized in the signature Ollie Burger, marinated and seasoned, and a side of equally addictive seasoned Ollie Fries.
For a brief golden era, around 100 to 200 of these unique outposts dotted urban areas across the country, promising a flavorful, quick meal. However, despite its initial success and unique concept, Ollie’s Trolley couldn’t maintain its momentum.
Often tied to the fate of the Lum’s chain, and perhaps hindered by the lack of drive-thru windows as competitors embraced them, the vast majority of the little trolley buildings faded away by the early 1980s. The once-promising chain seemed destined to become just another fond, spicy memory for those who experienced its brief heyday, its distinctive look and taste vanishing from city streets.
Yet, against the odds, a few survivors refused to call it quits. Today, a two of these rare birds still operate independently, in Louisville, Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio. Visiting one of these remaining Ollie’s Trolley outposts is truly like stumbling upon a nearly extinct species – a chance to step up to that familiar window and order an Ollie Burger and fries, experiencing that unique, hard-to-find flavor profile that has managed to survive the decades.
Visit one of the last locations:
Ollie’s Trolley – Louisville (The Authentic Experience)
978 S 3rd Street
Louisville, Kentucky
(502) 583-5214
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OlliesTrolley
Ollie’s Trolley – Cincinnati
1607 Central Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio
(513) 381-6100
Note: This location is still in an original trolley car but has a different vibe, focusing more on BBQ/Southern comfort food with outdoor seating.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OlliesTrolleyCincinnati
Royal Castle
Before the major players arrived, Royal Castle reigned supreme as South Florida’s very first burger chain. Inspired by White Castle‘s iconic sliders, William Singer, an Ohio transplant, founded this empire in 1938. Royal Castle grew to an impressive scale, with over 225 restaurants stretching across Florida (its true home), Louisiana, Michigan, and Ohio.
But a changing landscape and a pivotal sale in 1969 set in motion a series of unfortunate events, leading to the company’s bankruptcy in 1975. While the main chain crumbled, a small, tenacious group of around ten independent locations managed to survive for a few years, relics of a bygone era.
The numbers continued to dwindle until 2013, when the closure of Wayne Arnold’s Royal Castle left just one solitary outpost remaining: Jim Brimberry’s Royal Castle. Amazingly, this last standing location remains a family affair, with ownership recently transferring from Jim Brimberry’s grandson to a cousin, keeping the legacy alive. And the best news? You can still grab that legendary Royal Castle 6-pack of sliders, tasting just like history.
Visit the last location:
Royal Castle
2700 NW 79th Street
Miami, FL
(305) 696-8241
Website: https://royalcastlemiami.com
Have you visited any of these iconic restaurant chains? What are your favorite memories of eating there?
