Burger Chef Memories
Operated from 1954 - 1996
Web site operated by Kyle Brown, Louisville KY
Web Site started May 2, 2003
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Burger Chef operated from 1954 to 1996.
Offically franchised in 1958, sold to Hardees' in 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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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.
I don't know about you all, BUT I can't wait ! ! !
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Bedford IN
July 4th Parade
1978
see Bedford Page for this one and 1 more
* January 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 IN OH or MI, about 1962 - 65.
The sign behind them says Po_ter Co__ta? Fair ? Please e-mail with any info.
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. 
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 sign has neon instead of light bulbs. Missing, is the wording
"We sell millions nationwide". The building does not have the large
orange diamonds yet. BC made some minor changes during the first 3 years.
Unkn location or year, but probably 1958 or 1959.
This is one of the first 25 Burger Chef's of IN, MI and OH.
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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 on Dixie Hwy, 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
below, Art Work from 1964
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.
I've been editing the site and having a few troubles... please be patient... Thanks, Kyle
above, Logo from 1978
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Chef logo introduced about 1965
Burger Chef, in an attempt to cater to a younger crowd, introduced a younger looking chef about 1965 or so.
These cards have Original logo used on fry bag, these cups were used about 1967 to 1969.
Welcoming customers during the 60's Mid/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 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 on New Cut Road in the summer 1966. He was moved around to open other BCs in Louisville. He helped plan and open Louisville's Downtowner 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 managers of each Louisville and So. Indiana Burger Chef Restaurants.
It was about this time my brother and I got to trade off as to who could go to work with him on saturdays for half days. 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 as an Assistant Fire Chief for the fire department here in my community of Okolona, in Louisville KY. If Burger Chef had not closed in 1982, 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 5 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