Jimmy Buffett's Failed Cheeseburger in Paradise Chain Closes After 18 Years

The Caribbean-inspired restaurant concept inspired by Buffett's hit song couldn't survive the pandemic.

Mar. 4, 2026 at 12:05am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Cheeseburger in Paradise, a burger chain co-founded by singer Jimmy Buffett, has closed its last remaining location in Secaucus, New Jersey after 18 years in business. The chain, which was inspired by Buffett's 1978 hit song of the same name, passed through multiple owners over the years before being acquired by Luby's Inc. in 2012. While some customers enjoyed the Caribbean-inspired menu and tiki-bar atmosphere, the restaurant struggled to maintain profitability, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to its ultimate demise.

Why it matters

Cheeseburger in Paradise represented an attempt by Jimmy Buffett to expand his Margaritaville brand into the casual dining burger space, but the concept ultimately failed to gain traction and compete with more established burger chains. Its closure highlights the challenges of maintaining a successful restaurant business, even for celebrity-backed brands, in the face of industry headwinds and changing consumer preferences.

The details

Cheeseburger in Paradise first opened its flagship location in Indianapolis in 2002, with Buffett reportedly making an appearance on opening night. The chain was initially co-owned by OSI Restaurant Partners and Buffett's Margaritaville Holdings LLC, but Buffett's stake diminished over the years as the business changed hands. In 2012, Cheeseburger in Paradise was acquired by Luby's Inc., which converted some locations to its Fuddruckers brand. The last remaining Cheeseburger in Paradise, located in Secaucus, New Jersey, was still profitable as of 2019 according to Luby's CEO Chris Pappas, but ultimately could not withstand the financial pressures of the pandemic, leading to its closure in 2020.

  • Cheeseburger in Paradise first opened its flagship location in Indianapolis in 2002.
  • Luby's Inc. acquired Cheeseburger in Paradise in 2012.
  • As of 2019, the last remaining Cheeseburger in Paradise location in Secaucus, New Jersey was still profitable.
  • The Secaucus, New Jersey location closed permanently in 2020 due to the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The players

Jimmy Buffett

A singer-songwriter who co-founded the Cheeseburger in Paradise restaurant chain, which was inspired by his 1978 hit song of the same name.

Margaritaville Holdings LLC

The company co-owned by Jimmy Buffett that initially held a stake in the Cheeseburger in Paradise restaurant chain.

Luby's Inc.

The company that acquired Cheeseburger in Paradise in 2012 and operated the last remaining location in Secaucus, New Jersey until its closure in 2020.

Chris Pappas

The CEO of Luby's Inc. who stated in 2019 that the last Cheeseburger in Paradise location was still profitable.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Cheeseburger in Paradise, the restaurant inspired by Jimmy Buffett's hit song, was a unique concept that just couldn't withstand the challenges of the pandemic.”

— Chris Pappas, CEO, Luby's Inc.

The takeaway

The closure of Cheeseburger in Paradise demonstrates the difficulty of maintaining a successful restaurant business, even for a celebrity-backed brand with a catchy theme. The pandemic proved to be the final blow for a concept that had struggled to find its footing over nearly two decades, highlighting the need for restaurant operators to adapt to changing consumer preferences and market conditions to survive.