Remember the Ads “..we’re having a Wimpy”? Some may even remember The old sit down Wimpy bars and those knickerbocker glories.
As you’ll read this is the brand that won’t give up.
Summary
Wimpy is a fast-food chain that was founded in the United States. It has found success internationally, mainly in here in the UK and South Africa. Over the years It has changed between being a table service burger bar to a counter service restaurant.
Wimpy was founded in Bloomigton, Indiana, USA by Edward Gold in 1934 as Wimpy Grills, with the chain in the United States hitting its peak with 26 locations in 1947.
In 1954, Gold signed a license with UK food giant J. Lyons and Co. to operate Wimpy Bar across the United Kingdom, with further international agreements a few years later through its subsidiary company, Wimpy International.
The brand didn’t fare so well in the USA and by 1977, there were only seven Wimpy locations in the United States, which all folded following Gold’s death passing in that year. However despite the brand’s demise domestically, the chain would peak at 1,500 international locations the following year. Gold had sold his remaining share to Lyons just before his death.
Here we go with the movers and shakers. Lyons sold the brand to United Biscuits in 1977. The move from table service to counter service began in the 1980’s as management felt they were losing ground to McDonald’s .
In 1989 United Biscuits sold the brand to Grand Metropolitan who had acquired Burger King. Grand Metropolitan began converting Wimpy counter service restaurants to Burger King.
In February 1990, the remaining 216 table service restaurants were purchased by a management buyout, These were locations that were considered less desirable by Grand Metropolitan. At the time of the buyout, there were also 140 franchised locations outside of the United Kingdom. In October 1999, Wimpy rolled out a chain of restaurants known as Dr. Beaks, to take on brands such as KFC.
In 2002 a second management buyout came about. At the time of the sale in 2002, there were approximately 300 locations in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Where Did They Go?
On 27th February 2007, South African company Famous Brands, which owned the Wimpy franchise in South Africa, announced that it had acquired Wimpy UK.
Having acquired the brand, Famous Brands has rebranded Wimpy in the United Kingdom, to bring it in line with Wimpy South Africa. The “new” logo is the one that had been used by Wimpy UK from the 1960s until the 1980s.
In November 2009, Famous Brands began to upgrade its 170 locations in the United Kingdom to resemble United States-style diners. As of July 2022, 67 restaurants remain in the United Kingdom. You will still find them in some UK towns and cities and in some seafront/seasonal locations.
Commercial Break