The 1970s were a transformative time for the fast food industry. As American culture began to embrace convenience, speed, and affordability, fast food chains flourished, establishing themselves as a key part of everyday life. However, not every fast food idea from the era found long-term success. Many bold and innovative concepts launched during the 1970s, but for a variety of reasons—whether poor timing, a misjudged target market, or a simple lack of appeal—several of them faded into history. Here’s a look back at some fast food chains and menu items from the 70s that didn’t last.
1. Burger Chef
In the early 70s, Burger Chef seemed poised to compete with the big names like McDonald’s and Burger King. Founded in 1954, the chain grew rapidly in the 70s, reaching over 1,000 locations at its peak. Burger Chef was known for its “Frings” (a combo of French fries and onion rings) and the “Super Shef” burger, a larger, more indulgent take on a classic burger. However, despite its early success, Burger Chef struggled to maintain consistency across locations and failed to distinguish itself long-term in a crowded market. By the early 80s, it was sold to Hardee’s, and the Burger Chef name slowly faded into obscurity.
2. The Hot Dog Stand (Pizza Hut’s Failed Hot Dog Venture)
In 1978, Pizza Hut decided to expand beyond pizza with a bold idea: a hot dog-focused menu. The fast food chain introduced a product called the “Pizza Hut Hot Dog Stand,” which included hot dogs in a variety of creative forms. They even paired hot dogs with pizza, combining the two favorite foods of many Americans in a single meal. While it was an intriguing idea at the time, the combination didn’t catch on. Despite its novelty, the Hot Dog Stand concept proved to be too niche and was short-lived. Pizza Hut eventually pulled the plug on this idea, focusing solely on pizza and expanding into pasta and other dishes in later decades.
3. Big Boy’s Pizza Parlors (Big Boy Pizza)
Though Big Boy restaurants were established in the 1930s and were known for their signature double-decker burger, they also ventured into pizza in the 70s in an effort to capitalize on the growing pizza craze in the United States. In 1973, Big Boy launched its own line of pizza parlors, hoping to compete with chains like Pizza Hut and Domino’s. However, their pizza offerings did not meet the expectations of consumers, and the concept was largely unsuccessful. By the early 80s, Big Boy’s pizza venture was abandoned, and the brand shifted back to its burger-centric roots.
4. Taco Bell’s “Chili Size”
Taco Bell is now known for its tacos, burritos, and innovative fast food items, but in the 70s, the chain experimented with a few menu options that didn’t quite make it. One such item was the “Chili Size,” introduced in 1972. It consisted of a burger served over a pile of chili, an unusual combination that didn’t quite mesh with the Tex-Mex identity Taco Bell had begun to establish. Customers found the concept to be strange and not in line with the flavors they expected from Taco Bell. After a short-lived run, the Chili Size was quietly removed from the menu, though it would occasionally make a comeback in limited regional promotions.
5. Leroy’s (A Burger King Spin-Off)
In the late 1970s, Burger King tried an experiment that didn’t last: it introduced a chain of upscale, fast-casual restaurants called Leroy’s. These restaurants offered a more refined menu with gourmet-style burgers, larger portions, and an attempt to target a higher-end consumer demographic compared to the traditional fast food offerings of the time. The goal was to bring a more premium experience to fast food. However, this concept failed to resonate with consumers who were looking for affordability and speed. Despite a few attempts to push Leroy’s as a more sophisticated brand, it closed down after just a few years.
6. The Chicken Delight (1970s Chicken Chain)
While fried chicken chains like KFC have remained popular, Chicken Delight was a fast food chain that failed to keep up in the 70s. Originally founded in 1952, Chicken Delight had success with its slogan “We Do Chicken Right” and quickly grew in popularity. However, by the 70s, the chain had become a victim of the crowded fast food market. Many of its franchisees struggled to maintain consistent quality, and the chain became less competitive in the face of growing brands like KFC. Attempts to rebrand and reinvent the company throughout the 70s were unsuccessful, and Chicken Delight ultimately faded from the fast food scene by the early 80s.
7. The Pizza Burger (A McDonald’s Failure)
In the 1970s, McDonald’s experimented with different menu items to diversify its offerings. One of the more bizarre attempts was the Pizza Burger, a fast food creation that combined a pizza-flavored sauce with a burger patty. Designed to be an easy crossover between pizza and burgers, the dish consisted of a beef patty topped with pizza sauce, cheese, and sometimes pepperoni, all sandwiched between a burger bun. Despite its interesting concept, the Pizza Burger never gained traction with consumers. It didn’t quite capture the appeal of pizza or a classic burger, and McDonald’s quietly removed it from the menu after a short period.
8. Gino’s Hamburgers
During the 70s, Gino’s Hamburgers was a fast food chain that operated primarily on the East Coast, aiming to compete with McDonald’s and Burger King. With its signature “Gino Giant” burger, the chain found modest success in certain areas. However, Gino’s struggled to grow beyond its regional roots and failed to create the same kind of national presence as its rivals. In addition, Gino’s made the mistake of focusing on too many menu options, diluting the simplicity that made other fast food chains so successful. By the mid-80s, Gino’s was sold to the Marriott Corporation, which eventually phased out the brand.
9. Denny’s “Sizzler Steaks”
Denny’s is a chain that has been around for decades, primarily known for its diner-style fare, but in the 70s, it tried to branch out into a fast food steakhouse concept called Sizzler Steaks. The idea was to offer steaks quickly and cheaply to compete with the growing demand for fast food. Despite the novelty, the concept failed to resonate with customers, who found it difficult to see the appeal of a quick, inexpensive steak meal from a chain typically known for breakfast and diner food. By the late 70s, Denny’s shifted back to its roots and dropped the steakhouse venture entirely.
Conclusion
The 1970s were a time of experimentation and change in the fast food world. While chains like McDonald’s, Burger King, and Pizza Hut cemented their status as iconic brands, many others tried—unsuccessfully—to carve out their own niche. Whether due to a lack of market demand, misjudged branding, or simply poor timing, many of the fast food concepts introduced during the 1970s faded quickly. Though these short-lived ventures didn’t last, they serve as a reminder of how rapidly tastes and trends in the fast food industry can change, leaving behind a trail of forgotten experiments.