If You Thought These Restaurant Chains Are Still Around, You Thought Wrong

Nathan’s

Founded in 1916, Nathan’s began as a nickel hot dog stand in Coney Island, New York. Nathan Handwerker started the business with his wife, Ida. She created the hot dog recipe they used, while her grandmother created the secret spice recipe. In 1987, all Nathan’s locations were sold by the Handwerker family to a group of private investors. By then, Nathan’s was franchised and had a number of establishments opened around New York City and even further out.

Nathan’s