"By the mid-90s, Claim Jumper had opened 17 locations across the Pacific Coast, and in another decade they would be in 45 across eight states. According to a 1995 review in the Los Angeles Times, it wasn't uncommon to experience a 90-minute wait during peak hours, and impatient crowds clustered outside their doors and in the parking lots were a common feature across outlets."
"From its 250 seats to the hearty all-American menu - think ribs, steaks, pies, salads, etc. - everything about Claim Jumper was larger than life. They were known for their oversized portion sizes, like many American chains, but this wasn't a question of putting quantity ahead of quality. It was about providing a memorable, family-friendly experience at a reasonable price."
Claim Jumper was founded in 1977 by Carl Nickoloff and his son Craig, inspired by Westerns set during the California Gold Rush. The first restaurant opened in Los Alamitos, California, with 250 seats and a hearty all-American menu featuring ribs, steaks, pies, and salads. The chain became known for oversized portions while emphasizing memorable, family-friendly experiences at reasonable prices. By the mid-1990s it had 17 locations along the Pacific Coast and expanded to 45 locations across eight states within a decade, often drawing 90-minute waits and crowded parking lots. The company sold a majority stake in 2005, later filed for bankruptcy twice, and now operates just 10 locations.
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