At its peak over 60 Horne's locations dotted the south and southwest - mostly restaurants; I don't know how many motels they had. The chain was hit by the late-70s economy, or it just began to fall out of favor; those things happen. The end seems to have come fast, and they were out of buisness by the early 80s.

I wonder if it was the logo, or the font, or the Carter-era economy, or the effect of gas prices on leisure travel, or the circus-themed interior.

Probably the circus-themed interior.

Some pictures here.