@TheOldJalapenoman​ I think the character from the book is the top of mind response from both American and International poll takers when Long John Silver is mentioned. But, you raise an interesting point, as the mascot from the Long John Silvers' Wuick Service Restaurant chain may be worthy of a spot, at least as the final #35 " everything else option, Another "Long John" Silver Character in a Treasure Island Film, Television, or Streaming Adaptation Not Listed.

As you point out, Long John Silver's, LLC is an American chain of fast-food restaurants that specializes in seafood with about 500 locations around the globe. The brand's name is derived from the character of the same name from Robert Louis Stevenson's novel Treasure Island. I think the chain has actively used the character as a mascot and logo over the past fifty years in signage and on product packaging, but I can't remember him having a live-action or animated role in any of brand's commercials or advertising campaigns.

I don't think I have even gone to a dedicated Long John Silver's or ordered from their menu in my lifetime, the only outlets I have been to are the multi-branded locations that feature two or three QSR menus from the old Yum! brand portfolio and I am there for the other QSR option.

Honestly, the first oddball QSR pirate that came to mind was Judge Reinhold character playing Brad Stevens dressed as Captain Hook while making QSR deliveries in the movie, 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High', an obvious spoof of the LJS chain and its signature LJS mascot character (changed for legal reasons and to avoid copyright infringement).

Does anyone remember a Long John Silver's television commercial featuring the character?

@TheOldJalapenoman​ I grew up in New England and Long John Silver had almost zero presence there in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s and no commercials aired from the local stations. I wouldn't have even known they existed, if not for the spoof in Fast Times at Ridge mint High and occasional seeing a nationwide commercial air on a cable network or major network. I agree at onetime they were a big deal and were the dominant player when it came to seafood in most consumer's eyes.

 It seems that they went into a tailspin since then dripping from 1400 US locations to just under 500 US locations, after going through several different owners they seem to pinning their hopes for a rebound by expanding in South Asian countries and degrading themselves as a "chicken & seafood" QSR. They lost alot market share when every fast food restaurant added a fish sandwich or seafood items to their wide-ranging menu options, losing their foothold as the only or go-to option for diners seeking quick & cheap seafood.

foodrepublic.com/2149104/largest-fast-food-fish-chain-long-john-silvers-decline/

On point, I don't LJS was ever a major character in the commercials for Long John Silver's, like "The King" for Burger King has been the past two decades, or like Ronald McDonald and friends were in 70s for McDonald's.

@urbanemovies​   I didn't realize that the chain had shrunk so much.  They have been all over the place in the Southwest where I have lived almost all of my life (Texas and New Mexico).  I had expected them to grow when they got bought by Yum Brands (owners of KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell) many years ago, but that didn't happen.

@TheOldJalapenoman​ It blows me away too, that there are 31,981 (2025) Kentucky Fried Chicken locations worldwide, but only 486 (2025) Long John Silver locations worldwide. It wouldn't have thought the situation would be so night and day between these niche QSRs. Plus, I thought the strategy having multiple brands in one locations was a great way to extend your reach, while cutting operating costs by half to a third, by distributing them among the two or three brands that share the physical location.

They have gone through seven different owners since 1988, with only the last one seeming to be turning things around with a focus on Asia and chicken.

@urbanemovies​   I worked for KFC for about five years about the time of the whole Y2K mess.  At the time, KFC had about 5800 restaurants and was pushing for grown with a "Team 6000" campaign.  They wanted international growth and seem to have gotten a lot of it with China, where they now have over 10,000 locations alone.  At one point, in the late 80's and early 90's, KFC had been shrinking.  They even changed their name from Kentucky Fried Chicken to KFC to try to hide from the fact that their food was fried, which had a negative connotation (because fried foods were supposed to all be unhealthy and have high cholesterol).  

KFC also tried to grow with "multi-branding" by having the locations with two or three different restaurants in them.  That is why YUM brands (their parent company) tried their big expansion by purchasing Long John Silvers and Arby's (which they later sold).  They also bought A&W restaurants (but not the root beer) and some smaller, regional chains.  The multi-branding concept was hit and miss and was not a great success.

One of my favorite facts in the fried foods industry was that Church's Chicken and Popeye's Chicken actually merged, though they still open and operate restaurants under both names.  The two are now one company.

I actually worked for many years in the restaurant industry.  I was an area manager, an auditor, and a compliance manager and compliance director for a couple of different chains (KFC was one of the largest of my employers).

@TheOldJalapenoman​ Interesting, I think you probably got out at the right time. It seems to have become an ultra-competitive industry and over expanded with bankruptcies becoming a monthly occurance. Plus, the rise of all these private equity firms, taking chains private, trying to turn them around, and flipping them every couple years in a quest to make a quick return on their investment.

@urbanemovies​   I had been hired by a nationwide chain to be an auditor over their restaurants in a three state area.  Three months after they hired me, I suffered a major stroke and was forced to retire.  So, I did not fully get out voluntarily.  I had wanted to work at least to age 75 but my body did not give me that choice.

@Jessica​ I have corrected the spelling mistakes.

@dan_dassow​,

 I know that has to be faked, but an amusing image nonetheless. There is no way Long John Silver's would put a LJS location on a seaside dock. They couldn't compete when diners could easily get "real" seafood at local's joint nearby. I like your pick, he is one of my favorites too.

@urbanemovies​,

I'm happy you liked the image.

I failed to mention that the image is indeed fake. After reading the discussion in this thread, I asked Google Gemini to create the image. It turned out much more humorous than I expected.

@dan_dassow​, Interesting, I wonder if it was made to be intentionally funny or simply a comedy or errors. What were the parameters of your request, or the actual request itself?

I am curious how much liberty AI took, or how flawed the AI was in choosing QSR darling, Harlan Sanders for the role of Long John Silver or locating the QSR seafood, LJS dockside simply because you used the term, seafood?

@urbanemovies​,

Prompt:
Draw an image of Col. Sanders dressed up as Long John Silvers.

Response:

Google Gemini produced the image that I posted without any additional comments. I was rather surprised. However, I've interacted with Gemini enough that Gemini knows my quirky sense of humor.

@dan_dassow​ Thanks, I already have added the final two answer options to the answer pool list and will formally request a re-push at the end of next week to keep the poll current. Plus, I have another pirate poll suggestion that targets those interested in female pirate character cosplay or dressing as a female pirate for Halloween 2026 that would be timely at the end of the month.   

[Halloween 2026] Female Pirate You Most Want To Emulate [Animation]