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Other Fast Food Chains (page 2)

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Franksville
Chicago, IL		 Pepe's Mexican Restaurant
Chicago, IL		 advertisements
Atlanta area, GA
Franksville hot dog restaurant chain was founded in 1963. In 1964, 20 locations were built – including this one in Chicago which is the sole survivor. While most of the locations were built in the Chicago area, there were locations in Georgia, possibly New York City, and presumably elsewhere. This is the only sign known to still exist. The cartoon-like engineer and hot-dog shaped train were meant to appeal to children. The embossed plastic panels are about 10 feet wide and are still internally lit at night. The sign revolved until a few years ago. The building at this location was destroyed by fire in 1967. It was rebuilt in the same style. [map]

Pepe's Mexican Restaurant occupies a former Franksville location. [map]

There are other former locations in Burbank, IL, Chicago Heights, IL, Downers Grove, IL, Joliet, IL, Peoria, IL, and Villa Park, IL. There may be other examples of the chain's unique, double A-frame buildings left. If you come across any, I'd love to hear from you. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [ads thanks Robby Delius]

Henry's Hamburgers was founded in the late 1950s. By the early 1960s, there were more than 200 locations around the country. Most were located in the Midwest. Henry's buildings copied early McDonald's buildings. The most obvious difference is Henry's use of green tile. McDonald's only used red and white. For more, see this website.

former Henry's Hamburgers
Syracuse, NY
This former Henry's Hamburgers was built in 1960 and operated until around 1974. The building was housing Bob Barkers Hot Dog Stand when these photos were taken in 2010. By 2012, the business was known as Hammi's BBQ. That restaurant has also closed. In 2016, there were plans to reopen the place as Bob Barkers again. The roof was extended to the left to create protected dining space. In 2017, the place was vacant. In 2018, the place was still for sale after a brief stint as the Vesuvius Family Eatery. The outdoor space on the left had been walled up, encroaching on the original Henry's portion of the building on that side. In 2019, the building was housing the Just 1 Bite Eatery. By 2021, it was housing the Koffee King Cafe & Creamery. By 2023, the building was remodeled for Pizza Cutters. [map]

former Henry's Hamburgers [gone]
Kansas City, MO		 former Henry's Hamburgers
Chicago, IL
This former Henry's Hamburgers in Kansas City had been vacant since at least 2009. These photos were taken in 2012. Around 2015, the building was demolished.

This former Henry's Hamburgers in Chicago now houses the Economy Auto Mart. There were at least two other locations in town but this is the only building or sign still standing. [map]

former Henry's Hamburgers
Davenport, IA		 Henry's Hamburgers
Benton Harbor, MI
This former Henry's Hamburgers in Davenport now houses Jimmy's King Gyros. [map]

The Henry's Hamburgers in Benton Harbor is the only location still in operation. The vintage building has been replaced with a modern one but this original sign remains. [map]

former Henry's Hamburgers
East St. Louis, IL
2012: 2024:
This former Henry's Hamburgers housed the Garden Grill Market II when this photo was taken in 2012. By 2015, the building was housing the Palace Food Mart. By 2019, the building was housing Flyer's Market and the sign had been crudely painted over. The building is vacant now. For more, see this website. [map]

former Henry's Hamburgers
Lansing, MI
This Henry's Hamburgers operated from 1961-1971. These photos are from 2011. By 2015, the sign was gone but the building was still there. [map]

There was another location in East Lansing, MI which also opened in 1961. That building has been demolished.

There was an intact Henry's Hamburgers burger sign at Terry's Turf Club in Cincinnati, OH. Terry's closed in 2018 and all of the signs were auctioned off.

More Henry's Hamburgers:
Miami, FL [vintage; gone]
Ames, IA [vintage; gone]
Crestwood, MO [vintage; gone]

Tubby's Sub Shop
Hazel Park, MI		 Tubby's Sub Shop
Royal Oak, MI		 Tubby's Sub Shop [gone]
Detroit, MI
Tubby's Sub Shop [gone]
Clinton Township, MI
Tubby's Sub Shops, now officially named Tubby's Grilled Submarines, first opened in 1968 in St. Clair Shores, MI. They began franchising in 1978 and now have about 70 locations in the Detroit area. These submarine sandwich clutching statues are about seven feet tall. They were inspired by Big Boy statues and built by FAST Fiberglass in the 1990s. There were only about five of them made. I believe there are only two left on public display. The character is dressed like a sailor. He was named "Ricky" after the company's founder, Richard Paganes. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3. [Hazel Park map]; [Royal Oak map]

The photo of this Detroit statue was taken in 2006. Sometime after that, this location became Home Run Subs and now houses the Motown Cafe. This statue remained. By 2014, there was another restaurant here and the statue was gone.

The Clinton Township location had an interesting castle-like building with a gold roof. It was the only one I've seen like this. These photos are from 2006. The building and statue were still there in 2012. By 2014, the building had been demolished and the statue was gone.

If I'm missing photos of any other Tubby's statues or interesting buildings, please let me know.

Sylvia's Super Sub Shop
Allen Park, MI (now Jackson, MI)
Sylvia's Super Sub Shop opened in 1969 and this pirate statue was installed on the roof then. It may have been inspired by the Tubby's statues described above. These pirate statues were supposedly used by a Detroit area chain. Does anyone know the name of it? The restaurant closed in 2020. In 2023, the statue was moved to Sylvia's Catering in Jackson, MI. [map]

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