What happened to Kenny Rogers' restaurant in the US? Why it vanished
In the 1990s, Kenny Rogers’ restaurant empire looked unstoppable. It captured loyal fans with its roasted chicken and Southern-inspired dishes. A lawsuit later played a major role in its bankruptcy and eventual decline.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Profile summary
- Kenny Rogers’ restaurant had a unique vision
- Kenny Rogers Roasters was not his original idea
- Kenny Rogers Roasters was the subject of a Seinfeld episode
- Kenny Rogers’ restaurant declared bankruptcy in 1998
- Kenny Rogers Roasters is now Asia-based
- Kenny Rogers had over $250 million post-demise
- Frequently asked questions
- Conclusion
Key takeaways
- Legendary musician Kenny Rogers and former Governor of Kentucky John Y. Brown Jr. owned Kenny Rogers’ restaurant.
- Rogers' first restaurant opened in September 1991 in Florida, but grew to over a hundred across the U.S. and on various continents.
- The chain’s decline began in the mid-90s, after a lawsuit that contributed to its bankruptcy.
Profile summary
| Full name | Kenneth Ray Rogers |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of birth | August 21, 1938 |
| Age at death | 81 years old |
| Date of death | 20 March 2020 |
| Zodiac sign | Leo |
| Place of birth | Houston, Texas, United States |
| Residence at the time of death | Sandy Springs, Georgia, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White (of Irish and Native American descent) |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Height | 5'11" (180 cm) |
| Weight | 80 kg (176 lbs) |
| Hair colour | Grey |
| Eye colour | Brown |
| Mother | Lucille Lois Rogers (née Hester) |
| Father | Edward Floyd Rogers |
| Siblings | Seven |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Relationship status at the time of death | Married |
| Spouse | Wanda Miller (1997-2020); previously married four times |
| School | Wharton Elementary School, Jefferson Davis High School (Houston) |
| University | University of Houston (dropped out) |
| Profession | Singer, songwriter, actor, record producer, entrepreneur, and photographer |
| Net worth at death | $250 million |
Kenny Rogers’ restaurant had a unique vision
According to Food Republic, Kenny Rogers and John Y. Brown Jr. opened a restaurant in Florida to make chicken menus that stood out. They planned to roast their chickens on burning wood instead of electric or charcoal grills.
The restaurant became a choice dining place in its Florida debut location. It expanded to over 100 franchises across the U.S. and Canada. According to UPI Archives, co-partner John Y. Brown said:
It's only natural that we expand our Roasters concept overseas. 'Kenny Rogers' worldwide recognition as an entertainer gives our restaurants immediate international awareness.
Source: Original
Kenny Rogers Roasters was not his original idea
According to The New York Times, John Y. Brown, a former governor of Kentucky, United States of America, pitched the idea to Kenny Rogers.
John was a lawyer and a businessman before venturing into politics. He is more famous for helping Colonel Sanders’ Kentucky Fried Chicken gain global prominence through a partnership.
He sold his interest in KFC and, over the years, invested in various food and drink businesses. He strongly believed in the financial potential of the fast food industry, which made him return to the scene with Kenny Rogers’ Roasters after his career in politics.
Kenny Rogers Roasters was the subject of a Seinfeld episode
As Tedium published, an entire episode of the television series Seinfeld was dedicated to it. It was titled The Chicken Roaster.
It was inspired by a real-life dispute between the restaurant and Aaron Chess Lichtman, a lawyer who rented an apartment/office opposite one of Kenny Rogers’ branches.
The lawyer was unhappy about the restaurant’s giant neon sign flooding into his apartment and disturbing his sleep. He responded by putting out a banner that reads “Bad Chicken” from his window and switched apartments with a friend to escape his sleepless night.
Source: Getty Images
Kenny Rogers’ restaurant declared bankruptcy in 1998
A 1992 lawsuit marked the beginning of the restaurant’s decline. According to the Sun Sentinel, a Miami-based restaurant, Cluckers Wood Roasted Chicken, sued Kenny Rogers for trademark violation.
The lawsuit dragged on for at least two years until Kenny Rogers’ Roasters decided to buy the majority stake in Cluckers Wood Roasted Chicken. This, combined with growing competition from chains like Boston Chicken, led to a decline in customers.
In 1998, Kenny Rogers Roasters in the U.S. ended, and the management declared bankruptcy. It was sold to Nathan’s Famous, a more popular restaurant known for its hot dog menu.
Source: Getty Images
Kenny Rogers Roasters is now Asia-based
The last of Kenny Rogers Roasters in America closed its doors in 2011. The company changed ownership again, this time to Malaysia-based Berjaya Roasters. The new owner now has a spread of locations across Asia.
According to a 2021 article by Mashed, there are over 400 Kenny Rogers Roasters franchises across countries like India, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Cambodia. These restaurants retain the unique vision of the pioneers with individual cultural twists.
Kenny Rogers had over $250 million post-demise
Country singer Kenny Rogers passed away in 2020, but Celebrity Net Worth said he left his heirs a valued inheritance of $250 million. His wealth was courtesy of a revenue stream across various endeavours, including his singing, acting, producing, and photography careers.
Frequently asked questions
What restaurants did Kenny Rogers own?
The country musician co-owned Kenny Rogers’ Roasters. The restaurant has existed since 1991, but it has undergone different ownership changes.
Who bought Kenny Rogers chicken?
The restaurant was first sold to an American-based competitor, Nathan’s Famous, in the late 90s after declaring bankruptcy. It was later sold to Berjaya Roasters in 2008.
Source: Getty Images
Why did Kenny Rogers’ Roasters fail?
Several reasons have been offered, including a quickly congested market and bad management. It eventually filed for bankruptcy.
Conclusion
No Kenny Rogers restaurants exist in the United States any more. The brand’s vision now thrives across Asia, where it operates hundreds of outlets. With over 400 branches in various Asian countries alone, an American resurrection may not be surprising.
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