The End of Lum's Restaurant
In 1978, Lum's faced a significant change in ownership when Wienerwald Holdings, A.G., a Swiss holding company and parent of the Wienerwald restaurant chain, led by Friedrich Jahn, acquired the 273-restaurant chain from Brown. Unfortunately, Wienerwald had overextended itself, leading to financial difficulties and ultimately filing for bankruptcy in 1982. As a result, two Lum's franchises controlled by Jahn were forced to shutter all 70 Lum's locations and file for bankruptcy.
In the wake of these challenges, the original Lum's location closed its doors in 1983, marking the end of an era. However, a glimmer of hope remained as one Lum's restaurant continued to operate in Bellevue, Nebraska, becoming the sole surviving location for a period.
Years later, in 2010, a new Lum's emerged in Seekonk, Massachusetts, rekindling the nostalgic memories associated with the brand. However, the Seekonk location eventually closed its doors, leaving the Nebraska restaurant as the last standing Lum's.
Despite its resilience, the Lum's in Bellevue, Nebraska, couldn't withstand the test of time. Sadly, it closed its doors on May 28, 2017, marking the end of Lum's presence in the restaurant industry.
The journey of Lum's from its acquisition by Wienerwald to bankruptcy and the subsequent dwindling of locations stands as a reminder of the ever-changing landscape of the restaurant business. While Lum's may no longer be actively operating, its legacy lives on through the fond memories of its devoted customers.