Web site operated by Kyle Brown, Louisville KY
Web Site started May 2, 2003 - latest update Dec 8, 2009
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Burger Chef Restaurants operated from 1957 to 1996.
Offically franchised in 1958, bought by Hardees' in Dec 1981.
The last Burger Chef remained open till 1996* in Cookeville TN.
* This was in name only, no support from CKE was given.
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By Year Added Total Stores
1958 8 8
1959 25 33
1960 40 73
1961 47 120
1962 50 170
1963 70 240
1964 95 335
1965 105 440
1967 681
4/1968 914
500th lease signed Temple TX Nov 65
1000th lease signed Treasure Island FL Aug 1969
By the mid/late 60's lease numbers surpassed stores open, meaning some were closing.
By mid/late 70's lease numbered in the 1800, but less then 900 stores were open.
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Please check out new page "24. The beginings"
Original Logo from 1957
July 1957
Sept 2009
Went to visit one of the Original bc buildings in Madison IN
I will be creating a page devoted to this original store, soon! Many photos !
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THE WAIT IS OVER ! ! ! Burger Chef Book is available NOW !
NEW * * * Click below for info on the July 6, 2009 release of the much anticipated book * * * NEW
"Burger Chef (Images of America)"
This book has contributions from the founders and family of Burger Chef and some from this site too ! ! !
Synopsis
Frank P. Thomas Jr., Donald J. Thomas, and Robert E. Wildman, owners of the General Equipment Company, entered into the fast-food business by opening a 15 cent hamburger restaurant called Burger Chef in Indianapolis in 1958. General Equipment was a manufacturer of restaurant machinery and built the equipment installed in each Burger Chef store. The partners started their new Burger Chef division to sell more equipment; they never could have imagined that Burger Chef would eventually grow to become the nation's second-largest hamburger chain and beloved by customers in towns and cities across America. Burger Chef continued in business until 1982, cooking its popular flame-broiled hamburgers and introducing its memorable advertising icons, Burger Chef and Jeff.
Biography
Scott R. Sanders has been a collector of Burger Chef history, advertising, and ephemera for over six years. He is an elementary teacher for the Alvin Independent School District in Alvin, Texas. Burger Chef is a photographic history of the famous hamburger chain that contains rare images from Winthrop University's Louise Pettus Archives and the Hazel Park Historical Society, as well as the personal collections of its founders, the author, and others.
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As a special note: All three Founders of Burger Chef have all sadly passed away in 2008. The book has a 2003 interview with Frank Thomas Jr. by the author, and loads of photos from Frank and Don Thomas. It is really great that Scott Sanders was able to assemble such a project.
The book is a great tribute to Frank Thomas Jr, Don Thomas and Bob Wildman and their creation: Burger Chef Restaurants. Their hopes and dreams will live on in all our memories...
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I probably need to mention, I have not and will not place pictures from the book here on this site.
When you see photos that are also in the book, it means I already had them or they were contributed
to the project by me and my family. Heck, check out my site again, pics in the book are b&w
compaired to the color versions here ...
I hope we don't start seeing the book photos copied on web sites?
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* * * NEW - page 23 - Tribute to Mr. Henry Schroeder, Burger Chef Owner/Franchisee
He opened his 1st bc in Danville, Illinois in 1960, and his was a very suscessful operation ! !
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Where/How they would have hung.
Above, are two menu board panels from mid 60's that my Dad gave me.
They are about 2 X 2 foot and were back lit. Small pics from GA-Lester Family 1970
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Bedford IN
July 4th Parade
1978
see Bedford Page for this one and 1 more
* 2009 *
Added new Pictures to pages 20, 21 and 22
I have been adding new pictures to these pages.
I will also insert new pictures in other pages too
if they apply to the page titles... Check back often !
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Please enjoy these pictures! But...
PLEASE - I ask that no one reproduces these and sell them on anything - PLEASE
HELP ! ! ! Please help us find location of this Burger Chef
The man on the side with the 2 employees is Bob Wright, Area Supervisor.
The location is either Ind, Ohio or Mich, about 1961 - 63.
Received some info from Greg M. -
he says it looks to him to be the bc from Valparaiso, Indiana on Calumet Rd
accross from the old Porter County Fairgrounds. 
I checked and Valparaiso is in northeast IN, near Gary.
If anyone remembers the old Fairgrounds, does this seem to be right?
Please let me know what you think and thanks again to Greg M !
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This is the earliest photo from
Burger Chef that I have seen.
There are several differences from other early pictures.
The road sign has neon instead of light bulbs. Missing, are the wording
"We sell millions nationwide" below HAMBURGERS. The building does
not have the large orange diamonds yet.
BC made minor changes during the first 2-3 years.
Unknown location or year, but probably 1958.
This is one of the first 8 Burger Chef's of IN, MI and OH.
** The more I learn, the more I think this photo is of the first Burger Chef . Here is what makes me think this, by the end of the year of 1958, bc had already refinded the look that would be used for the first 4 to 5 years. This photo closest resembled the original drawing of the concept building in 1957. By the end of the 1st year (1958) the road sign had light bulbs and the back kite in the building was removed and only the foward most kite was built. Comparing it to the first store photo from the book, "Lost Indianapolis", the painted parking spots look identical to this photo. The first bc was located at 1300 W. 16th St, near Stadium Drive, Indianaplois IN - Spring 1958.
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Below, 1963 - 5 Year Anniversary
Left - Don Thomas Sr., Vice Pres.
Center - Frank Thomas, President
Right - Bob Wildman, Sec/Treas.
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Burger Chef 1963
Original Walk-up with winter enclosure added.
Notice, no white globes or any seating at all.
Picture came from Franchise Owner in Louisville KY,
He's not sure if it is of his first store or just a promo pic given to him?
His first store would have been at 4431 Dixie Hwy, store number 168.
Look for Burger Chef van on page 4b
The winter enclosure would be removed when spring arrived, this was to keep customers warm while waiting...
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Newest addition to my bc collection.
Rescued from a flea market in Richmond, VA
Bought on eBay.
Cup used from about 1966 to 1970.
As seen in this Post Card about 1966.
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HERE NOW - Page 19 - new pictures 2008
New page dedicated to Burger Chef of Georgia
Burger Chef of Georgia, one of their first stores about 1965
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above, Burger Chef and Jeff wearing new uniforms - 1978
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Logo from cup from 60's
Art Work from about 1965
Logo/art called the open kite design. This was used until about 1968.
Art of 1960's roadsign
Early 1960's drawing of Burger Chef carry-out service.
New Chef logo introduced 1962
Burger Chef, in an attempt to cater to a younger crowd, introduced a younger looking chef in 1962.
These translights have Original logo used on fry bag, cups were used about 1967 to 1970.
Welcoming customers during the 60's Late 1960's
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About 1972, 3 years after Burger Chef was bought by General Foods they changed to this logo.
To this day, it is the one everyone remembers most. It was created from the Funburger art designs.
Below is Menu Board insert from 1970's
***I have left open the option to give people the ability to right click and save my images. However those who have copied them to create web pages or are reselling these images on magnets, may force me to delete this option. I will e-mail those interested in these images on request, I haven't made up my mind yet. Tell me what you guys think.
Shawn Wolfe, please get original, and get your own images.
Sorry for the disclaimer.
Kyle
Thank You for visiting!!!!!!!Please check back for additions, Kyle
Please visit MY Other Burger Chef Site!!!
Memories II *2005 updates*
Please visit these other great Burger Chef sites !
http://jsfburgerchef.homestead.com/
http://www.thebawdycloister.com/reliquary/
http://www.agilitynut.com/eateries/7a.html
http://www.lostindiana.net/html/burger_chef.html
If you remember Burger Chef, then you'll probally remember Red Barn Restaurants
Check out this web site! http://www.barnbuster.net
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About Me.......
I was born in 1963 in Louisville, KY. My Dad is James (Jim) Brown. He went to work for the Okolona Burger Chef in the evenings to make extra money in early 1965. He was working in electronics after his tour in the Air Force. He took to Burger Chef pretty fast, it wasn't but a few months and he was made an assistant mgr, then a relief manager. He was given his first store when a new Burger Chef opened at 5109 New Cut Road in the summer 1966. He was moved around to open other new Burger Chef's in Louisville. He helped develop and open the new Louisville's Downtowner Burger Chef at 619 1/2 S. 4th St. Just after opening this store he was promoted to Area Supervisor in 1968. His job was to supervise the manager' s of all the Louisville and So. Indiana Burger Chef Restaurants owned by the franchise group. It was about this time my brother and I got to trade off who could go to work with him on saturday for half days. I remember just sitting in a chair by the manager's office watching the guys put meat on the broiler chains and seeing the burgers drop out the end, and watching them assemble sandwichs and slide them to the front counter.
Burger Chef was growing by leaps and bounds... Burger Chef in Louisville was operated by a franchise group that was always working to stay on top of Burger Chef's growth. Remodeling stores, adding/maintaining equipment, always trying new promotions etc. We were always in the back of the restaurants. We were always behind the scenes, every new burger, new promotion, our garage was full of old and new stuff. I have old stools and table tops from remodels, clocks and plaques. We were always at Grand Openings, some before I can remember...
My fondness of Burger Chef comes from a childhood that is so full of memories, I had to call this site Burger Chef Memories. I currently work for the fire department as an Assistant Chief for the fire department here in my community of Okolona, in Louisville KY. If Burger Chef had not closed, who knows what job I would have now... I worked for the Okolona Burger Chef from 1980-81 just a half mile from where I now live.
Thanks to all who visit and especially to those who leave feedback in the guestbook!!!!
It has been 6 years since I started this web site. Thanks to all that have contributed!!!!
Again, THANKS for all the comments left in Guestbook !
*** If you leave a comment that asks a question or has an
offer of something, I can't see e-mail addresses so
please, please email me at directly at Captofd@aol.com
