Another longtime California steakhouse has served its last meal, marking the latest setback for a once-expansive restaurant chain that has steadily shrunk over the past decade. The closure leaves the brand with just a handful of standalone locations, highlighting the challenges facing even well-known casual dining names.
Claim Jumper Steakhouse & Bar has permanently closed its San Bernardino restaurant after more than 25 years in business, ending the chain’s presence in California’s Inland Empire.
Longtime location quietly closes
The San Bernardino restaurant, located on South Commercenter Drive, first opened in 1999 and quietly closed on June 23. Customers discovered the closure after the location was removed from the chain’s website and a notice posted at the restaurant thanked guests for their years of support. The company did not provide a reason for the closure.
The restaurant was the last remaining Claim Jumper in the Inland Empire. Earlier closures had already eliminated locations in Rancho Cucamonga, Temecula, and Corona, leaving Southern California with just three remaining standalone restaurants.
From 45 locations to just four
Founded in Los Alamitos, California, in 1977, Claim Jumper became known for its oversized portions, Gold Rush-themed décor, and signature desserts, including its famous Chocolate Motherlode Cake. At its peak in 2010, the chain operated 45 restaurants across eight states.
Following financial struggles and a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in 2010, the chain was acquired by Landry’s Inc. Since then, its footprint has steadily declined. With the San Bernardino closure, Claim Jumper now operates only four standalone restaurants—located in Buena Park, Costa Mesa, San Diego, and Tualatin, Oregon.
Another sign of pressure on casual dining
Claim Jumper’s continued downsizing reflects broader challenges across the restaurant industry. Rising food and labor costs, along with changing consumer spending habits, have forced many casual dining chains to close underperforming locations and focus on their strongest markets.
While the brand isn’t completely disappearing, its latest closure underscores how dramatically the once-popular California steakhouse chain has contracted from its peak.
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