A Lens into Retail & Commercial Real Estate Past (Present & Future)
Nostalgic Retail Series
Go ahead...say it. This is a hotel chain, not a restaurant chain. Well, you are partially correct. Howard Deering Johnson opened the first Howard Johnson's restaurant in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1925. "The first Howard Johnson's restaurant received a tremendous boost in 1929, owing to
Restaurant
From over 100 locations in 17 states to 5 locations in Florida, here is the Po' Folks' story: Founded in 1975 in Anderson, South Carolina by Malcolm Hare, the American family restaurant chain's name was inspired by the 1961 song of the same name by Bill
Nostalgic Retail Series
Lum's was founded in 1956 in Miami Beach, Florida by Stuart and Clifford Perlman when they purchased Lum's hot dog stand for $10,000. "Lum's began aggressively expanding and franchising; the signature item was hot a hot dog steamed in beer." [Wikipedia]
Nostalgic Retail Series
Founded in 1989 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon quickly became a prominent player in the casual dining steakhouse market. Under the leadership of Jamie B. Coulter, the chain experienced rapid expansion in the early 1990s. Key milestones: * 1992: Went public with 8 restaurants * Mid-90s:
Nostalgic Retail Series
Founded in Portland, Oregon in 1963 by Bob Farrell and Ken McCarthy, this chain of ice cream parlors and sandwiches was know for it early 1900's theme (including employee uniforms) and the famous player piano at each location. Purchased by Marriott Corporation in 1975, Farrell's grew
Restaurant
Founded in Richfield, Minnessota in 1976, Chi-Chi's was founded by Marno McDermott and former Green Bay Packer, Max McGee. Marno's wife carried the nickname Chi Chi which is why the Mexican restaurant was so-named. It was known as the first Mexican-inspired restaurant chain.
Restaurant
Founded in Indianapolis in 1954, Burger Chef was created by Frank and Donald Thomas as a result of their patented flame broiler (patented under the parent company, General Equipment Corporation). Burger Chef grew at an astounding pace with a core focus of small, suburban towns across the United States. In
Nostalgic Retail Series
Founded in late 1991 with celebrity backers like Sly Stallone, Bruce Willis, Demi Moore and Arnold Schwarzenegger, Plaanet Hollywood is a themed restaurant that built on Hollywood and celebrities. Aggressive expansion took place throughout the 90’s, including adding a sports themed restaurant, Official All Star Cafe. Running fast and
Nostalgic Retail Series
Founded in 1991 by the musician, Kenny Rogers and former KFC CEO John Y. Brown Jr., this wood-fired rotisserie chicken chain's first location was in Coral Springs, FL. The chain grew to 350+ restaurants internationally and then faced a lawsuit in 1992 from Clucker's over
Nostalgic Retail Series
Founded by Howard Johnson's (aka Ho-Jo's) in 1969 in Massachusetts, Ground Round is (not was as you shall see) a casual dining chain that was created as a "support" concept to offset the poorly performing Ho-Jo's chain. The intent was
Nostalgic Retail Series
Founded in 1985 in Lubbock, Texas Don Pablo's was a chain of Tex-Mex restaurants. In 1995, with 51 restaurants open, DF&R Restaurants Inc. (company that owned the chain) sold Don Pablo's to Georgia-based Apple South who, at the time, was one of
Restaurant
Founded in 1966 in Dallas, Texas by the one and only Norman Brinker, a legend in the restaurant industry. "The chain, with its dimly lit Tudor-style decorated dining rooms, billed itself as offering an upscale steak experience at lower prices. It was seen as a model for the