Dog n Suds
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![]() A Dog n Suds location at night. | |
Type | Drive-In |
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Industry | Fast food |
Founded | 1952Champaign, Illinois | in
Founders | James Griggs, Don Hamacher |
Headquarters | , |
Number of locations | 15[1][2] |
Area served | Midwestern United States |
Products | Hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, root beer |
Owner | Frostie Enterprises (1974) Don and Carol VanDame (TK&C's LLC)(1991) |
Website | dognsuds |
Dog n Suds is a midwestern United States chain of hot dog and root beer drive-in style eateries.[3][4] The chain was started in 1953 and by the 1970s the franchise included over 650 restaurants across 38 states. In 2021, the brand continues to operate at approximately 15 locations[5] and serves hamburgers, french fries and soft drinks.
History[]
The first Dog n Suds was opened in 1953 in Champaign, Illinois, by University of Illinois music teachers James Griggs and Don Hamacher.[3] The second restaurant was opened after the owners were paid to build another by a wealthy patron and from there the owners decided to create a franchise. A training center was established in Champaign, named "Rover College" after the dog on the restaurant signage.[6] At its peak in 1968, the chain had about 650 restaurants.[4]
In the early 1970s Griggs sold his interest in the business and a few years later in 1974 the company was sold to Frostie Enterprises who owned the Frostie and Stewart's brands of root beer.[7]
In 1991, the VanDames purchased the Dog n Suds trademark and identity rights.[6] In 2001, they created a new company, TK&C's LLC, to administer licensing rights for the brand.[8][9]
References[]
- ^ Robinson, K. (2014). Classic Eateries of the Arkansas Delta. American Palate. Arcadia Publishing Incorporated. pp. 130–131. ISBN 978-1-62585-303-5. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
- ^ "Dog n Suds locations". Dog n Suds official website. Retrieved 2019-08-20.
- ^ a b Alexander, Dave (June 18, 2008). "Old dog, new tricks". MLive.com. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
- ^ a b Jakle, J.A.; Sculle, K.A. (2002). Fast Food: Roadside Restaurants in the Automobile Age. The road and American culture. Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 167–168. ISBN 978-0-8018-6920-4. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
- ^ DeVore, Sheryl (June 19, 2017). "Ingleside Dog N Suds celebrates 50 years in same family". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
- ^ a b "Dog n Suds History". Archived from the original on September 27, 2013. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
- ^ https://books.google.com/books?isbn=1475931840
- ^ "Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS)". Retrieved December 11, 2010.
- ^ Hawk, Jason (2008-04-02). "Dog 'n Suds owner doesn't sell after all, keeps tradition going". The Chronicle-Telegram. Retrieved 2008-06-30.
Further reading[]
- Carolyn Walkup "Dog n Suds operators gear for revival push - Company Profile". Nation's Restaurant News. July 17, 1995. FindArticles.com. Retrieved 26 April 2007.
- Carolyn Walkup "Classic Dog n Suds Drive-In chain strives for a comeback - Company Profile". Nation's Restaurant News. Oct 19, 1998. FindArticles.com. Retrieved 26 April 2007.
External links[]
- Restaurants in Indiana
- Companies based in Indiana
- Economy of the Midwestern United States
- Regional restaurant chains in the United States
- Restaurants established in 1953
- Drive-in restaurants
- Root beer stands
- Hot dog restaurants
- Root beer
- American soft drinks
- 1953 establishments in Illinois