Malaysians, with our big appetites, have a weakness for fast food restaurants. While McDonald’s and KFC are everywhere, many restaurant chains have actually come and gone throughout our history. To remember some of these, MFT has dug through the history books (and lunch receipts) to learn a little more about these now-extinct restaurant chains:
1. Bubba Gump
Image credit: Azraai A. on Yelp (Left), Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. on Facebook (Right)
Inspired by the 1994 film “Forrest Gump”, this international restaurant chain used to have three Malaysian outlets in the Klang Valley. They served comfort dishes from the southern US states, including fried shrimp, sautéed shrimp, and coconut shrimp. The dishes were named after characters and jokes from the movie, such as “Jenny’s Catch” and “Dumb Luck Coconut Shrimp”.
As the restaurant chain survived for almost a decade, it came as a surprise when in 2018, Bubba Gump announced the closure of its Malaysian outlets. No reason was given as to why, but it is interesting to note that this happened before Covid-19 was even a thing. So maybe financial issues sealed its fate? In any case, we are definitely going to miss the shrimp. RIP Bubba Gump.
2. Wendy’s
Image credit: klia2.info (Left), Wendy’s on Facebook (Right)
This is one restaurant chain millennials are likely to remember as Wendy’s outlets were not hard to find back in the 2000s. The American fast food chain first set up shop in Malaysia back in the 1980s. Besides burgers and fries, Wendy’s also had chilli con carne and baked potatoes on the menu. Does anyone miss the Jacket Potato with Cheese Sauce?
Unfortunately, the last outlet closed its doors in 2019. According to news articles of the time, the local franchise holder, Berjaya Burger Sdn Bhd, did not renew its agreement with the franchisor, leading to the closure. So, if you want to see the red-haired girl with pigtails again, you probably have to visit the US where the franchise is still holding strong.
3. White Castle
Image credit: Miyagawa on Wikipedia (Left), White Castle on Facebook (Right)
Ever watched “Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle?” The 2004 American comedy happens to be many people’s first introduction to White Castle, the oldest surviving burger restaurant chain in the world. You might not even be aware that White Castle was in Malaysia too! Instead of round burgers, you had sliders which were square-shaped and noticeably small. Ordering one slider was unlikely to leave you satisfied, so it was common to order a few to eat in one go.
White Castle had a handful of outlets throughout Malaysia, including at least one branch in Jalan Chow Kit as well as one in Bandaraya Melaka. At some point in the late 90s or early 2000s, the chain upped and left. Not much information is available as to why this happened, but we can speculate. Maybe the size of the burgers were a turn-off to Malaysians? Like, why eat an expensive, small slider when you can get a bigger Ramly burger for cheap?
4. Shakey’s Pizza
Image credit: Icebergiman on Reddit (Left), Skakey’s Philippines on Facebook (Right)
Before Domino’s and Pizza Hut, there was Shakey’s. The pizza chain first made its way to Malaysia in 1978, being received quite well by Malaysians at a time when pizza was viewed as a new, almost exotic delicacy. Aside from pizzas and garlic bread, the restaurant was beloved for its potato mojoes. Anyone remember these deep-fried potato slices?
Like Wendy’s, the chain survived for some time, but the arrival of other pizza chains was a challenge. In 2009, the last outlet, supposedly at Summit USJ, closed its doors for the last time. While Shakey’s continues existing in other countries, it’s unlikely we’ll see it back here any time soon.
5. Long John Silver’s
Image credit: Long John Silver’s on Facebook
Founded in 1969, this American seafood restaurant chain was named after a pirate from Robert Louis Stevenson’s book, “Treasure Island”. The chain reached Malaysian shores some time in the early 2000s. Instead of burgers and fries, the chain specialised in fish and chips, fish fingers and other seafood dishes like clam chowder and shrimp sandwiches.
For a time, the chain had restaurants throughout the Klang Valley, including in Mid Valley and Berjaya Times Square. By the time the 2010s rolled around though, barely any LJS outlets remained. No reason has ever been given as to why this happened, but it is worth noting LJS is struggling to stay afloat in the US as well. Funnily enough, LJS has actually since made a comeback, with a single outlet opening in Putrajaya just last year.
6. Grandy’s
Image credit: RT8081 on Lowyat (Left), Grandy’s on Facebook (Right)
Established in 1972, Grandy’s reached the Malaysian market in the late 1980s, when it opened its first outlet in Subang Parade. At the time, Grandy’s was supposed to be the next big thing, with ambitious plans for opening more outlets throughout Malaysia and Indonesia. Highlights of the menu included the addictive cinnamon rolls as well as the Country Fried Steak.
However, the enthusiasm seemed to wear off as local tastes began to change. As other fast food chains proved increasingly competitive, Grandy’s was unable to hold on and eventually had to close shop, with its last outlet allegedly being its Ampang branch, which shuttered in the early 2000s.
7. Ben & Jerry’s
Image credit: Sunway Pyramid on Facebook (Left), Ben & Jerry’s on Facebook (Right)
For Malaysians who spent time in the US, you might have been lucky to enjoy Ben & Jerry’s, the famous ice-cream brand over there. Did you know that, for a time, B&J’s actually had a presence in Malaysia? Their flagship store was in Sunway Pyramid, with the grand opening being marked by free scoops of ice-cream being given to the first 10,000 customers.
Those Malaysians were lucky to enjoy the famous flavours of Cherry Garcia, Chocolate Fudge Brownie, Chunky Monkey. Lucky because B&J’s was closed less than a year after opening. Why? A serious case of bad timing, as it opened in 2019, right before the pandemic started. One can only hope B&J’s might return to Malaysia one day, now that the danger has passed.
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