Edmond is one of Oklahoma City’s fastest-growing suburbs, but fast food isn’t growing at the same pace, and some of the biggest names in the business have abandoned the city over the past decade. Some closings may be related to labor shortages, while others reflect company turmoil.
The demise of so many fast-food restaurants is not a reflection of the city’s growth or prosperity. Edmond was a sleepy suburb for decades with a population of just 8,557 in 1960. But since then, the population has experienced double-digit growth every decade with the increase hitting 108.2% in 1980.
In the last quarter century, the population jumped from 68,315 to 97,415. The Edmond Economic Development Authority recently reported the city had a median household income of $104,145 compared to a state median household income of $62,100.
Carl’s Jr.’s footprint is vanishing throughout the Oklahoma City metro
Carl’s Jr. acquired Hardee’s restaurants in 1997. The 42 Oklahoma City-area Hardee’s were among the first to be converted to Carl’s Jr. The chain opened two locations in Edmond, one at 3264 S. Broadway and the other at 917 W. Danforth. Both appeared to be in good shape before closing in 2024. The chain has four locations still open in Oklahoma City, far fewer from when it acquired Hardee’s.
Taco Mayo built a new Edmond restaurant only to close it in less than a decade
Taco Mayo operated its first Edmond location at 2010 S. Broadway, and then built a new restaurant in 1997 at 2020 S. Broadway, immediately west of the old restaurant. The chain built a second location at 1430 N. Santa Fe in 2006. Both locations closed in 2015.
Long John Silver’s opened one of its first restaurants in Edmond after the chain started in 1969
Long John Silver’s first opened in Edmond in 1969 at 315 S. Broadway. It was replaced by a new restaurant in 1988 at 630 S. Broadway that operated until 2018…