Long John Silver’s store closures have been a hot topic for anyone who grew up eating battered fish and hushpuppies. The chain that once felt like it was on every corner has quietly shrunk over the years. And if you’ve noticed your local spot disappear, you’re not imagining things.
Here’s the thing. This isn’t a story about one bad year. It’s a slow shift that’s been building for decades. In this post, I’ll walk you through how it all happened, who owned the chain along the way, and where things actually stand now.
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A Quick Overview of the Closures
Let’s start with the big picture. Long John Silver’s store closures didn’t happen overnight. The company peaked with more than 1,000 locations in the United States. By 2026, that number had fallen to under 500.
That’s a huge drop. To be honest, it’s the kind of decline that makes people assume a brand is dying. But the reality is a little more complicated than that.
Where It All Began
Long John Silver’s was founded in 1969 by Jim Patterson in Lexington, Kentucky. The name comes from the pirate character in Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel Treasure Island.
The early restaurants leaned hard into that nautical theme. Blue roofs, ship’s wheels, wooden benches, and even sword-shaped door handles. It felt like eating fish inside a pirate ship, and people loved it.
The Peak Years
For a long stretch, business was good. The chain grew fast and became the go-to name for fast-food seafood in America.
At its high point, it ran over 1,000 restaurants. What’s interesting is that this success also attracted a lot of corporate interest, which brings us to the ownership drama.
The Ownership Rollercoaster
If you want to understand Long John Silver’s store closures, you have to look at who was steering the ship. And boy, did it change hands a lot.
From Jerrico to Bankruptcy
Jerrico Inc. acquired the chain in 1988. The company was then taken private through a heavily leveraged buyout in 1989. That debt load became a real problem.
After years of struggling, Jerrico filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June 1998. That was the first big warning sign.
A&W and Yorkshire Global
In 1999, A&W stepped in to acquire the chain out of bankruptcy. This move created Yorkshire Global Restaurants, which ran both brands together.
The Yum! Brands Era
Then came the big name. Yum! Brands took over in 2002, folding Long John Silver’s in alongside KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell.
But by January 2011, Yum! wanted out. It announced it was seeking a buyer, citing poor sales and a desire to focus on international growth. That’s rarely a good sign for a brand.
LJS Partners and Four Oaks
In September 2011, Yum! sold the chain to LJS Partners, a group of franchisees and investors. Then in November 2022, Four Oaks Partners took over, led by Bob Jenkins, a franchisee himself.
So in short: the brand bounced between owners for decades. That kind of instability makes long-term planning tough.
The 2013 PR Disaster
Now let’s talk about a moment that really hurt. In July 2013, the Center for Science in the Public Interest called the chain’s “Big Catch” meal the worst restaurant meal in America.
The numbers were rough. That meal packed 33 grams of trans fat, 19 grams of saturated fat, 1,320 calories, and nearly 3,700 milligrams of sodium. Ouch.
The Cleanup
To their credit, the company reacted. They announced they had removed trans fats from the menu by January 2014. Still, the bad press stuck around, and it added pressure during a tough stretch.
The International Closures
The Long John Silver’s store closures weren’t just an American thing. The brand pulled out of several countries too.
North America and Asia
Canada saw its return location close in 2006. Taiwan shut down by 2009. The Philippines location at SM City Manila closed in 2019 due to weak demand.
The Middle East and Europe
The United Kingdom location eventually closed after opening in Walsall. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates both shut down thanks to poor sales.
Comebacks Worth Noting
Here’s a twist, though. Thailand closed by 2020 but returned in 2024 with a new store in a Bangkok shopping center. Malaysia also came back in 2024 after leaving earlier.
So the international story isn’t all doom. Some markets are getting a second shot.
The Big Rebrand in 2025
This is where things get genuinely interesting. In October 2025, the chain rebranded as a chicken-and-seafood restaurant. They even revealed a new logo with chicken front and center.
Why chicken? Simple. Chicken has exploded in popularity across the U.S., and the company wanted a piece of that. A senior VP described it as finally letting their “best-kept secret” out.
To be honest, it’s a smart survival move. Leaning only on fried fish in a chicken-obsessed market is risky.
Where the Chain Stands Today
So after all the Long John Silver’s store closures, what’s left? More than you might think.
As of 2025, the chain had 486 total locations. Of those, 374 restaurants operate across 25 states in the U.S.
That’s a far cry from the 1,000-plus peak. But the brand is still standing, still serving, and now actively fighting to stay relevant.
Why Did So Many Stores Close?
Let’s connect the dots. A few clear reasons stand out.
First, the constant change in ownership hurt consistency. Second, the 2013 health scare damaged the brand’s image. Third, tastes shifted, and fast-food seafood lost ground to burgers, chicken, and Mexican options.
In short: it was a mix of bad timing, bad press, and shifting demand. No single villain here.
What the Future Might Look Like
Nobody can predict exactly what happens next. But the signals aren’t all negative.
Reports suggest company sales have actually been improving even as the store count fell. The chicken rebrand and overseas comebacks show a brand willing to adapt rather than fade away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Long John Silver’s going out of business?
No, it isn’t. Despite the many Long John Silver’s store closures, the chain still runs 486 locations as of 2025. It’s smaller, but it’s still very much operating.
How many Long John Silver’s locations are left?
As of 2025, there were 486 locations total, with 374 of those in the United States across 25 states.
Who owns Long John Silver’s now?
The chain has been owned by Four Oaks Partners since November 2022. The group is led by Bob Jenkins, who is also a franchisee.
Why did Long John Silver’s start closing stores?
It came down to several things: frequent ownership changes, the 2013 “worst meal” controversy, heavy debt in earlier years, and changing customer tastes.
Did Long John Silver’s change its menu or brand?
Yes. In October 2025, it rebranded as a chicken-and-seafood restaurant with a new logo, aiming to attract chicken-loving customers alongside its seafood fans.
Final Thoughts
The story of Long John Silver’s store closures is really a story about survival. A brand that peaked at over 1,000 stores has slimmed down, changed owners more times than most of us can count, and reinvented itself with chicken.
Will it work? Time will tell. But the chain clearly isn’t ready to give up. If you’re curious about the full timeline, ownership details, and international history, you can dig into the complete record on the brand’s Wikipedia page, which lays out every twist in this long, fishy journey.
