FAST-FOOD fans are divided over the news that a former icon is returning to one area after four decades but losing another favorite.
The Arby’s location in Countryside, Cook County, Illinois, closed its doors for good on Sunday night.
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Fans were abruptly informed by location manager Joe Lance, who spoke to a local news outlet about the sudden closure.
“Take a good look. Once we close at 10 o’clock tomorrow night, that’s it,” Lance told Desplaines Valley News Saturday night.
The 58-year-old said staff had not been given a reason for the closure, although he wondered if it was due to “the prices of everything going up”.
The other businesses on La Grange Road, where Arby’s was located, have suffered lately, according to Lance.
“Look at McDonald’s, they’re empty. Taco Bell, they’re empty. Lucky Dog, they’re empty. The Halal Guys, you never see any business there,” he said.
‘ICONIC’
However, Countryside Mayor Sean McDermott confirmed to the news outlet that the closed Arby’s location will not remain vacant as long as a Jack in the Box restaurant is ready to take over.
“Jack in the Box will be a nice addition,” he said after revealing that the chain’s plans were revealed to city officials a month ago.
“One icon replacing another.
“They haven’t been to the Chicago area in over 40 years. It’s an iconic chain. It’s good to see they’re interested in coming to Countryside,” McDermott said.
The mayor acknowledged that the chain known for its tacos and burgers is likely interested in the area, as the city does not charge municipal property taxes on businesses.
Last week, the San Diego-based fast-food chain confirmed in a Press release his return to the area after more than four decades.
Founded in 1951, Jack in the Box announced an expansion plan for 2025 that would include the opening of eight company-owned restaurants and potentially 125 more in the area.
“The first wave of Jack in the Box locations is scheduled to open throughout 2025, bringing back the brand’s iconic 24/7 menu to Chicago residents for the first time in more than four decades.” , the statement said.
“This strategic expansion in Chicago allows us to not only satisfy long-standing customer demand for our brand, but also become a key member of the region’s thriving restaurant scene,” said CEO Darin Harris.
“We’re excited to bring our signature menu where customers can order any item at any time of the day or night, and we’re confident that Jack in the Box will quickly become a favorite local destination.”
This comes after the chain recently expanded its operations in places like Utah, Arkansas, Wyoming, Florida and Georgia.
“It’s been about 40 to 50 years since we were last in Chicago,” Harris told the NBC News affiliate. WMAQ-TV.
‘WELCOME HOME’
The chain initially expanded into the area in the 1960s and 1970s, but pulled out in the early 1980s to focus on other locations.
Fast-food fans had mixed reactions to the loss of the Arby’s location and the announcement of its replacement.
“I would love to see Jack in the Box return to Archer and Narragansett where it was before,” one Countryside resident wrote in the comments on a Facebook post. publish.
“Welcome home, Jack!” other he wrote
Restaurant Closings in 2024
BOSSes of major restaurant chains have announced a series of restaurant closures. The US Sun compiled a list of those affected by the network.
- Biscuit Barrel: Stores in Medford, Oregon, Columbia, South Carolina and Sacramento, California, closed.
- Mod Pizza: Bosses dramatically closed 27 stores in April, including some in the state of California.
- Frisch’s Big Boy: Restaurant bosses confirmed the closure of a restaurant in Covington, Kentucky, in April.
- Outback Steakhouse: The chain will close 41 “underperforming” locations this year.
- Two dolars: Four restaurants in Ohio closed in April.
- Pepper: A restaurant in Port Arthur, Texas, has closed permanently, as has another in Irvine, California.
- Friendly: Bosses have confirmed that an establishment in Ronkonkoma, Long Island, will close.
- Pizza Hut: A restaurant in Glen Falls, New York, closed in late March, followed by four in Ohio in June and 15 in Indiana.
- Danny: Two restaurants in Boise and Nampa, Idaho, have closed.
- Carl’s Jr.: The first location in Boise, Idaho, has closed.
- In and out: A location in Oakland closed earlier this year due to crime in the area.
- cheesecake factory: The chain is expected to close a location in Memphis, Tennessee, in July.
- Applebee’s: Announced the closure of between 25 and 35 locations this year.
- Taco John’s: He closed a restaurant in Minnesota and put the building up for sale in May.
- Rubio’s Coastal Grill: Announced the closure of 48 locations in California after filing for bankruptcy.
- Burger King: It closed a California location in June after 30 years.
“Am I the only person excited about this?” a third he said like a Jack in the Box fan excitedly preparing for the new restaurant.
“Can’t wait for some Super Tacos and onion rings!!” they said.
However, others are still mourning the loss of the Arbys, not so much for the food but for their iconic 10-foot illuminated road sign shaped like a cowboy hat.
“Aww, it makes me sad. That sign reminds me of childhood and eating with my grandmother at places on LaGrange Road,” one resident recalled.
“I know this sounds silly, but I hope someone saves that famous sign and it doesn’t just get thrown away.” another said.
The same comments were made following the closure of an Arby’s in Hollywood, Los Angeles after 55 years, which caused local residents to ask museums to keep the sign.
In addition to the Countryside location, other Jack in the Box locations will open near Midway Airport and in Lake in the Hills, Tinley Park, Carol Stream, Naperville, Plainfield and New Lenox.
Meanwhile, nine 24-hour locations are now operating in downstate Illinois, according to the Chicago Sun Times.
The US Sun has reached out to Arby’s for comment.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
