Chain restaurants shrink, but copycat recipes keep the classics alive

By Jessica Haggard 2026 has been an unusually turbulent year for chain restaurants. Outback Steakhouse has closed locations, Smokey Bones shut down entirely in April and Del Taco continues to reduce its footprint. The result is an unpredictable restaurant landscape where familiar menus and locations feel less permanent, while nostalgia for menu classics remains strong. […] The post Chain…