A legendary Iowa fast food restaurant is closing its doors after 42 years as scores of burger chains are forced to shut down amid high inflation and soaring demand for health foods.
The owners of 2 MIT burgers, in Elkader, Iowa, did not explain the reason for the closure but said the decision was made ‘with heavy hearts’ in a statement posted on Facebook.
It comes after it was revealed a host of US fast food giants like Burger King were axing locations around the country while McDonald’s has been forced to up the price of its big macs.
Meanwhile health chains like Sweetgreen appear to be flourishing, with the salad bar raking in $470.1 million last year, up 38 percent on 2021.
2MIT burgers – which has been likened to popular chain Wendy’s – is famed for no-frills hamburgers, cheeseburgers and hot dogs.
2MIT burgers – which is famed or its no-frills hamburgers, cheeseburgers and hot dogs – has been forced to close down after 42 years in business
Loyal customers took to social media to pay tribute to the beloved restaurant, adding ‘you will be greatly missed.’ Customers are pictured queuing outside the small eatery
The budget eatery was situated in a trailer which interstate travelers would take purposeful detours to visit.
‘It is with heavy hearts that after 42 years of making your favorite burgers the 2 MIT has decided to close its doors,’ a statement from the restaurant said.
‘We would like to thank everyone for their patronage over the years, you have left us with many fond memories.
Please continue to support your local Elkader business. Sadly, Jeff,Nikki, and Crew.’
Customers could purchase a cheeseburger for $4.25 while hot dogs were just $2.75.
Across the US restaurants are struggling to maintain low menu prices amid high inflation making ingredients more expensive.
It has prompted mass closures, with even popular chains having to axe locations.
Yesterday it was revealed one Burger King franchise with more than 100 outlets will close locations across six states after it reportedly racked up $14 million in debt.
Meridian Restaurants Unlimited filed for bankruptcy in March, struggling with rising food costs and poor sales.
Court filings previously revealed the company was closing 27 stores in Minnesota, Utah, Montana, Kansas, Nebraska and North Dakota.
The franchisee said it was ‘possible, if not likely’ they would be pressed to close more stores as they negotiated rent and operational improvements with landlords.
It comes on top of a string of closures already announced by the chain last month.
Some 424 staff members are expected to be laid off and up to 26 restaurants shuttered as part of Burger King’s mission to streamline operating costs.
Meanwhile Dailymail.com recently revealed how inflation had pushed up the cost of a McDonald’s Big Mac with prices varying across the country.
And other chain restaurants have also been caught up in the bloodbath.
Denny’s has lost more than 150 US restaurants since 2017, dropping from 1,600 to 1,445.
The National Restaurant Association says that the issue of high inflation has been compounded by a widespread change in dining habits after the pandemic.
A Burger King franchise with more than 100 locations nationally will close locations across six states having reportedly racked up $14mn in debt
Denny’s has closed more than 150 locations in the last two years and suffered from staffing shortages
There are more than 13,000 McDonald’s restaurants in the U.S – but the price of a Big Mac differs significantly state by state
Customers are now more likely to use take-out and delivery apps rather than visit restaurants themselves.
Applebee’s, Burger King and Denny’s have all been forced to slash locations as a result.
Loyal 2MIT customers took to social media to pay tribute to the beloved restaurant, adding ‘you will be greatly missed.’
Darren Hall wrote: ‘Thank you for all of the good memories.
‘I always stopped by for a burger whenever I was in Elkader. Stopping at 2 MIT was a must every time.’
Meanwhile Angelina Lingua wrote: ‘Bummer! Loved stopping there on way to PDC from Waterloo for close to 38 years and have so many memories.
‘Thank you for staying open for all these years. Good luck in your future endeavors.’
