Kenny Rogers Roasters - #4
Founded in 1991 by the musician, Kenny Rogers and former KFC CEO John Y. Brown Jr., this wood-fired rotisserie chicken chain's first location was in Coral Springs, FL.
The chain grew to 350+ restaurants internationally and then faced a lawsuit in 1992 from Clucker's over claims that Kenny Rogers Roasters (KRR) copied recipes and menus. To resolve the suit, KRR purchased a majority stake in Clucker's in mid-1994.
John Y. Brown Jr. grew the chain to 425+ restaurants before selling his interests to a Malaysian-based company in 1996.
The usual story of significant competition (from the likes of Boston Market, KFC and others) as well as poor financial performance led the chain to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in early 1998 and was purchased by Nathan's Famous, Inc a year later.
After significant restructuring and closures only 40 locations remained in the U.S. by 2000.
Nathan's sold KRR to an Asian franchisee in 2008 and the last U.S.. location closed (California) on the last day of 2011.
Kenny Rogers Roasters continues to exist internationally, is headquartered in Malaysia and entered its newest market, Dubai, in early 2023.
