Back to the subject, I used to work at Taco Bell and Dominos. They used to be well run, with quality, if not spectacular ingredients. When they decided to go cheap, with substandard pre-made crap it was just a matter of time before they were going to start feeling the pinch in a down economy. Domino's has apparently started making a better pizza, but it looks like it may be too late. In my lifetime, I don't recall fast food franchises going out of business. They were usually pretty reliable money makers. Even in crummy neighborhoods. I remember when I lived in Baltimore, that the KFC counter was behind bulletproof glass. You got your food through this rotating clear drum. How can you tell if you're in a bad neighborhood? If there's a Church's chicken joint operating there. And I LIKE their chicken. I've just never seen one in an upscale area.
That’s unfortunate, I have good memories of Bill Knapps from my days as a college student.
As for franchise chains that went belly up, I can recall “Red Barn” and “Burger Chef” which were pretty much direct McDonalds competitors but much smaller.
And you’re absolutely correct on Church’s.
Gotta get you gangsta on to stop in there, LOL.