Why do restaurant chains leave Chicago area? (Addison, Algonquin: restaurants, castle)

[Anthera]

I loved Bills Knapps! those mini cakes and treats they sold at the counter were great. Are they gone everywhere?

[gardener34]

They used to sell the chocolate cakes from the place in Indiana, at the Meijer chain stores. But I think Knapp's closed so I have not seen them there in a while. Those chocolate cakes are good... for a good choc. cake though try Portillo's - yummy.

[chet everett]

When I think of Portillo's I also think of places that Dick "outlasted" like Dog 'N Suds and the goofy Wienerville or whatever that gaudy signed hot dog stand /drive-in chain was called. Anybody else remember those places?

[Naperville77]

How about Sizzler? There was one on Ogden Ave that was flat out horrible. I remember health code violations.

[chet everett]

I think Sizzler went through Chapter 11 and is still around as different leadership team, but the old executives had ties to Brinker International which owns Magiannos and Corner Bakery through some complex licenesing with Lettuce Entertain You...

[Lonely Settler]

Originally Posted by inspect2

Bolingbrook closed because of poor biz a few years ago (I knew the G.M). Naperville does OK last I heard and Joliet does very well. I think it's funny that they had a location on Golf Road not far from Woodfield Mall which of course did not last.

The Naperville Bob Evans closed in 2006. The building was torn down and I think there's a bank there now.

[gardener34]

I have seen bob evans in other parts of the country while on vacation.

We used to go to the **** robin's all the time but that chain is completely gone now. They still sell the ice cream at augustino's rock and roll deli in west chicago on 59 and north ave... as of last summer anyway. Don't know if they serve it in the square scoops though!

[Drover]

Originally Posted by chet everett

When I think of Portillo's I also think of places that Dick "outlasted" like Dog 'N Suds and the goofy Wienerville or whatever that gaudy signed hot dog stand /drive-in chain was called. Anybody else remember those places?

Dog N' Suds is still limping along with 15 locations, including 2 in the Chicago area.

[irish setter girl]

I believe **** Robin sold Peterson's ice cream and I've seen that at various spots here and there. The **** Robin in Wheaton is now Shanes Deli but the CR sign is still up there and they serve Peterson's ice cream.

Bob Evans are alive and well in Central IL. My inlaws go there all the time. The Bob Evans on Odgen is now a Chase bank.

Bill Knaps had a great birthday gimmick. You got your age as a percentage off your bill and a free choc. cake. I agree that Portillos has a fantastic choc. cake!!!

[via chicago]

The Chicago restaurant/ fast food industry is incredibly competitive. Theres only room for so much. Think of how many local chains there are, and add on to that the sheer number of mom & pop greasy spoons where loyalties run deep. Then tack on the big national chains, and you'll see a saturated market. Theres a not a whole lot of room for some little regional player to try and break in...thats why most don't even try. It takes BIG bucks, and even then its a long shot to become established. Is there truly a pent-up demand in metro Chicago for a traditionally southern, rural chain like a Chik-Fil-A? Outside of transplants, I really doubt it.

With that said, I would be willing to make plenty of room for Sonic or In 'N Out.