We were surprised to find that a Boston Market was still open near us.
The company was originally founded in 1985 as Boston Chicken in Newton, Massachusetts. Ten years later, it was renamed Boston Market to reflect its expanded menu offerings.
But over the years, Boston Market started closing many of its stores.
The chain’s decline can potentially be attributed to several factors, including lawsuits, poorly managed locations, the rise of excellent ready-to-eat options at grocery stores (hello, Whole Foods hot bar), and the chain’s ownership being tossed between parent companies and private equity. As of 2020, it’s owned by Engage Brands, LLC.
Business aside, my memories of the chain go back to high school, when it was one of the few restaurants I could walk to during breaks from my driver’s ed classes. However, I remember the hearty side dishes leaving me feeling sleepy for the remainder of the day.
My husband remembers Boston Market as a place his grandma loved and would request after Sunday church (the one day of the week she didn’t cook). He was never a huge fan, though, and said that if he’d been given the option as a kid, he’d have chosen fast food.
When we realized there was still a location open nearby, we decided to see for ourselves whether the once-booming chain was anything like we remembered.
Dining and Cooking