Beloved burger chain with 108 locations closes restaurant for good after being described as like ‘stepping back in time’

A popular burger chain has closed permanently after customers claimed it was competing in quality with other well-known fast food restaurants.

In Ohio, Hwy 55 Burgers Shakes & Fries is known by residents for its classic diner atmosphere and delicious food.

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Last weekend, the chain’s location, about 19 miles east of downtown Cincinnati, suddenly closed for good, according to Newsbreak.

A stunned customer took to Facebook on Wednesday to try to confirm reports of the closure when he drove to the location and found it empty.

“What happened to the Hwy 55 restaurant in Eastgate?” they asked in one post.

“I was there today and I saw there was a sign that said ‘permanently closed’.”

Another looked up Highway 55 on Google Maps on Thursday to notice the same thing.

“It’s permanently closed,” he said.

Below the comment was an official statement from the owner of Highway 55, who wrote a detailed message about the restaurant’s closure but did not reveal a reason for it.

“Yes, the Cincinnati location has closed,” they replied to the customer.

“We apologize for the inconvenience.”

They added, “Thank you for your loyal patronage and we hope to see you at a local Highway 55 soon.”

After the closure, there will be no Highway 55 left in Cincinnati, the chain’s website says.

Fans claimed that the restaurant’s burgers were so good that they beat out some other fast food chains like Five Guys.

“So sad to see her go. Great burger and fries. Better than 5 people and not that expensive. Too bad for Eastgate,” one person wrote on Yelp.

Others claimed on Facebook that the restaurant was designed in a retro style, making customers feel like they were “taking a trip back in time.”

“The retro decor is so fun. They specialize in hamburgers, fries and shakes. They are offering free samples of their homemade custard,” one fan said.

“Lunch for two was $25 including tip.”

The images in the post showed a 1950s car on the roof of the establishment with a teal interior and a diner-style bar area.

Some of the cabin seats inside were cut out of the trunks of old cars, and one customer responded that the children’s meals were even served in cardboard cutouts from antique vehicles.

“Children’s meals are served in cardboard cars from the 1950s. So cool!” they shouted.

Highway 55 has at least 108 locations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Florida, Virginia, Georgia, Alabama and even Montana.

The US Sun has contacted the chain for more information about the sudden closure of the Cincinnati location.