The Iconic Steakhouse Chain has closed more than 625 restaurants, with only 74 left
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The chain was founded in 1958.
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It had 700 locations in its range.
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The brand is famous for its all-you-can-eat salad bar, which offers more than just a salad.
In college, my roommate and I looked at value when it came to our college dining choices. Chains like Oliver’s Garden, which offers unlimited soup and treat breads, were on our radar, as were various local bars with all-you-can-eat wings.
We all went to breakfast at Ponderosa, a chain that offers an all-you-can-eat weekend breakfast at a reasonable price. The food wasn’t all that great, but there was a bacon, sausage, and waffle bar, which was fine for our needs back in the 1990s.
For dinner, though, one type was kind of the Holy Grail of value and decadence. If we go to Sizzler, we can get a quick steak, and access to the all-you-can-eat salad bar, where the main attraction is the England Clam Clawder.
Sizzler was founded back in 1958 with a simple slogan.
Why should a good juicy steak break the bank?
That’s always a fair question, but the chain has crumbled over the decades, falling from a high of less than 700 to less than 80 now. The brand, however, or at least its management, believes that a comeback is possible.
Danny Klein interviewed Danzler Chief Officer Officer Clifrief Officer Cliff Officer Cark Robert Clark about the latest rebirth efforts. Clark has been with Sizzler since 1984 serving in various capacities before joining the C-Suite.
In his 41 years with the company, Clark has seen many attempts to change or revitalize the chain. Most, he noted, were ill-advised and focused on rebranding.
“Our current leadership is very focused on Hheyi, let’s take the best of Sizzler and let’s make it even better,” he told QSR.
Sizzler survived, despite filing for bankruptcy in 1996 and 2000.
CEO Chris Perkins, who has held that job since 2019, acknowledged that the chain’s problems cannot be solely blamed on COVID.
“Many company-owned restaurants were fighting an early epidemic,” Perkins said the restaurant business reported.
He blamed a number of factors, including high labor costs and local taxes that made it difficult to maintain profitability.
The chain focuses on recycling stores. That worked, according to QSR magazine:
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The brand saw a 47% increase in sales at the updated restaurants.
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The site that just updated a few months ago is 100 percent sales.
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Sizzler has completed nine renovations in the past two years and has a plan for franchisees to follow.
