Little Chef was once the highlight of a long journey for many diners, young and old. The chain of roadside restaurants, inspired by US diners, was launched in 1958 by Peter Merchant and Sam Alper. Its 'Olympic Breakfast', 'Early Starter' and 'Jubilee Pancakes' were among the popular dishes which kept drivers and their passengers fuelled over the years. By the late 1990s there were 439 Little Chef restaurants, but the business then suffered a dramatic decline. In 2007, it had to be rescued from administration, with the number of branches subsequently slashed, and by the end of October 2018 the once ubiquitous chain had disappeared completely from the nation's motorways and A roads.placeholder image
Little Chef was once the highlight of a long journey for many diners, young and old. The chain of roadside restaurants, inspired by US diners, was launched in 1958 by Peter Merchant and Sam Alper. Its 'Olympic Breakfast', 'Early Starter' and 'Jubilee Pancakes' were among the popular dishes which kept drivers and their passengers fuelled over the years. By the late 1990s there were 439 Little Chef restaurants, but the business then suffered a dramatic decline. In 2007, it had to be rescued from administration, with the number of branches subsequently slashed, and by the end of October 2018 the once ubiquitous chain had disappeared completely from the nation's motorways and A roads. | Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images

9 popular restaurant chains of the 70s, 80s, 90s and noughties we have lost, including much-missed steakhouse

Robert Cumber
By Robert Cumber

Property and retro writer

Published 20th Apr 2025, 15:00 GMT

They were some of the most popular restaurants and takeaways of their day.

From a roadside diner famed for its ‘Olympic Breakfast’ to a well-known chain which briefly rivalled Pizza Hut for supremacy, they kept our appetites sated during the 70s, 80s, 90s and noughties.

But despite boasting in some cases hundreds of branches around the UK at their peak, they all fell from favour for various reasons.

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This photo gallery looks back at these once mighty restaurant chains, which are gone but not forgotten.

How many of these restaurants do you remember eating at, and which do you miss most?

Do you have retro pictures or nostalgic memories to share with us? Send them online via YourWorld at www.yourworld.net/submit. It's free to use and, once checked, your story or picture will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.

The Golden Egg coffee bar/restaurants were popular during the 1960s and 70s. They served a range of omelettes, fried and scrambled eggs, and other non-egg-based dishes. Desserts included 'Alaskan Delight' - ice cream topped with hot chocolate sauce or maple syrup - and 'Jamaican Longboat' - a split banana served with ice cream, fruit and whipped cream.

7. Golden Egg

The Golden Egg coffee bar/restaurants were popular during the 1960s and 70s. They served a range of omelettes, fried and scrambled eggs, and other non-egg-based dishes. Desserts included 'Alaskan Delight' - ice cream topped with hot chocolate sauce or maple syrup - and 'Jamaican Longboat' - a split banana served with ice cream, fruit and whipped cream. | National World Photo: National World

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The baked potato chain Spudulike launched in 1974 and was hugely popular during the 1980s and 90s, becoming a fixture at shopping centre food courts around the country. It earned a place in popular culture, with Wayne and Waynetta Slob, from the Harry Enfield & Chums TV sketch show, famously naming their second child Spudulika. In 2019, all 37 branches closed, with the loss of nearly 300 jobs. A handful were subsequently revived, with the celebrity chef James Martin designing a new menu as part of a major rebrand.

8. Spudulike

The baked potato chain Spudulike launched in 1974 and was hugely popular during the 1980s and 90s, becoming a fixture at shopping centre food courts around the country. It earned a place in popular culture, with Wayne and Waynetta Slob, from the Harry Enfield & Chums TV sketch show, famously naming their second child Spudulika. In 2019, all 37 branches closed, with the loss of nearly 300 jobs. A handful were subsequently revived, with the celebrity chef James Martin designing a new menu as part of a major rebrand. | Google Photo: Google

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The first Fatty Arbuckle's American Diner opened in 1983, taking its name from the silent movie star Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle and priding itself on serving large portions at low prices. By the late 90s there were more than 50 branches around the UK but despite an attempt to appeal to more health-conscious diners by dropping the 'Fatty' from its name the chain went into receivership and the last of its branches closed in 2006, though the brand was later revived with restaurants opening in Norfolk and Cambridgeshire.

9. Fatty Arbuckles

The first Fatty Arbuckle's American Diner opened in 1983, taking its name from the silent movie star Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle and priding itself on serving large portions at low prices. By the late 90s there were more than 50 branches around the UK but despite an attempt to appeal to more health-conscious diners by dropping the 'Fatty' from its name the chain went into receivership and the last of its branches closed in 2006, though the brand was later revived with restaurants opening in Norfolk and Cambridgeshire. | National World Photo: National World

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