Amarillo’s Restaurant Graveyard: Chains That Didn’t Make It

Amarillo, Texas, is home to some great restaurants. Many are local, and many are chain restaurants, but the thing about the chain restaurants is that most don't make it very long in Amarillo.

While scrolling through social media one day, I saw someone comment about Amarillo and chain restaurants.

Amarillo is where chain restaurants come to die.

At first, I thought, “Whatever.” But then I started to think about all the chain restaurants that have come and gone in Amarillo. That comment might actually be true. We have had a lot of chain restaurants open and then close in the Yellow City.

Why Do Chain Restaurants Keep Closing in Amarillo?

Where Chain Restaurants Go to Die: Amarillo’s Graveyard of Failed Franchises

They came with big names and national hype, but Amarillo had other plans. Explore the chain restaurants that didn’t survive the supposed “curse.”

Gallery Credit: Lori Crofford

Are Local Favorites to Blame?

Is it because Amarilloans are fiercely loyal to their local eateries? That might be true,e especially when it comes to BBQ, but we have had just as many local restaurants close up shop.

Does Location on I-40 Even Matter?

Does Amarillo just have too many restaurants and not enough support? You would think a restaurant on I-40 would survive just because of the massive number of people who travel through the city.

It could be the customer service; many of these chain restaurants on the list had bad management, and that rubbed off on the employees, so there was a lack of customer service.

What Really Dooms Restaurants in Amarillo?

There are many factors that go into why a restaurant closes in Amarillo. Many close due to bad customer service, others close due to the cost of the product, making it unsustainable, and others just decide they don't want to be in Amarillo anymore.

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