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Posted on 11/19/2025 10:56:14 AM PST by Red Badger
The Sizzler restaurant chain once had 700 locations. Now it has only 74, but it’s launching a resurgence.
Key Points
* Sizzler peaked in the 1990s with 700 locations; now only 74 remain in the U.S.
* The chain struggled after changing its identity, filed bankruptcy during the 2020 pandemic.
* Leadership is refocusing on classic features and remodeling to boost sales and relevance.
Sizzler was a popular restaurant chain in the 1980s and 1990s, although it officially launched in 1958.
When it started, Sizzler’s goal was to make a steakhouse that was affordable, as a fast-food craze swept the U.S. QSR Magazine argues it helped invent the fast-casual category of dining. Many people who grew up with Sizzler remember the chain’s all-you-can-eat salad bar.
However, like other restaurants, Sizzler started to experience a downturn that almost put it out of business.
As of June 2025, there were 74 Sizzler restaurants located in the U.S., mostly in California. According to MLive, the chain once had 700 restaurants throughout the U.S. The brand’s highest number of restaurants was in the 1990s. The chain had 109 restaurants in 2020, when the pandemic prompted it to file for bankruptcy, according to Restaurant Business. Now, according to QSR Magazine, Sizzler is aiming for a “rebirth.”
Sizzler’s Chief Growth Officer Says the Chain Made a Mistake by Trying to Change Too Much Robert Clark, the chief growth officer for Sizzler, told QSR Magazine that the brand made a mistake trying to change what it was known for (fast-casual dining), and is now going to double down on the staples.
Of the strategy of trying to change with the times, “it just never worked,” Clark told the magazine. “Our current leadership is much more focused on hey, let’s take the best of Sizzler and let’s make it even better.”
Clark told QSR that the brand has been updating restaurants and is seeing an uptick in sales in those restaurants. The chain launched into a major brand “excavation,” revisiting everything from the logo to how it interacts with customers, the magazine reported.
“We feel like we have a really great brand here,” Clark told QSR Magazine. “And our results have been very solid. We constantly pop up in pop culture. I think what we’re trying to do with the remodel is really stay relevant and have facilities and assets that meet our reputation. We understand that remodeling is probably the single biggest driver of guests in the restaurant. It’s the most important thing I think we could do aside from a lot of other operational things we’re doing as well.”
Sizzler USA Filed for Bankruptcy During the Pandemic
Sizzler struck bottom during the pandemic when the company filed for bankruptcy in 2020, according to Restaurant Business.
The chain “had been in decline before it sought debt protection,” but the pandemic “pushed the company over the edge,” that site reported. The company faced pressures, including “higher labor costs and local taxes,” according to Restaurant Business.
According to Restaurant Business, the Sizzler chain, which took off in the 1980s, was popular enough that it ended up in movies, notably 1992’s White Men Can’t Jump.
The chain first filed for debt protection in 1996, Restaurant Business reported, adding that Sizzler is not the only chain struggling in its space. Competitor chains like Ponderosa and Luby’s have had struggles as well, according to Restaurant Business.
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I remember back in the late 1970's when I was in the Air Force stationed in Guam and they had what they advertised as the largest Sizzler steak house in the world (they also had the largest McDonalds and the largest KFC--mostly for the benefit of Japanese tourists and honeymooners who were flocking there at that time). Anyway, the Sizzler there had one of their "All You Can Eat Ribs" weekends. The thing is, Guamanians LOVE spareribs and they ran out of them on the first day. When the latecomers went there and found out there were no more ribs, there were almost riots. I don't think they ever had that particular promotion there again.
Affordable steak is a tricky concept. No one wants to eat the type of steak that is affordable. It tends to not be that good.
“Golden Corral. Yuk. It’s the Mecca for the obese”
Well then,they most certainly will not run out of customers.
FWIW I get 10oz boneless ribyeyes for $8, so... maybe they can manage to plate one with a big baked potato for $15-$16?
Their “Malibu Chicken” was a big seller, and their “open” style salad bar was one of the only reasons I ever went; that and the dessert bar — that was a huge hit with my kids.
Never have a ‘All-You-Can-Eat’ anything special. Just ask Red Lobster.....................
Another chain that has recently come back from the dead is Hot N Now. They just built two new ones.
Bring back red and white checked tablecloths and build yer own burger and sundaes
“Where’s the beef?”
I don’t want to pay the premium for a NY strip sirloin if it is just round steak cut to look like a NY strip. That seems deceptive.
Never heard of it.................
Darden also owns Capitol Grille and Seasons 52.
“I can afford it......but it’s the principle”
Ditto.
Well that’s 74 more than I thought they still had…
Never heard of those.................
Yes, don’t go to Golden Corral if you are wanting steak. But most of the GC selections are very good.
“Sizzler’s Chief Growth Officer”
Never heard of that title. Regardless, a SIZZLING stake sounds mighty good.
We didn’t have a Sizzler close by but instead a Western Sizzlin’ which had the biggest baked spuds you’ve ever seen- and they were baked all the way unlike so often these days !
Go to GC if you need new shoe leather soles.................
The Golden Corral near here isn’t bad, but these days I just don’t care to stuff myself to bursting, and that’s always the temptation at all-you-can-eat places. Got to get your money’s worth, you know.
Many years ago in college, I had a friend who was about 6’6” and close to 300 lb. For a while he would eat only one meal a day, at a Furr’s cafeteria. I think they finally 86ed him.
Ditto
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