Dog n Suds
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| Type | Drive-In |
|---|---|
| Industry | Fast food |
| Founded | 1952 in Champaign, Illinois |
| Founder(s) | James Griggs, Don Hamacher |
| Headquarters | Champaign, Illinois, USA |
| Number of locations | 17[1] |
| Area served | Midwestern United States |
| Products | Hamburgers, hot dogs, french fries, root beer |
Dog n Suds is a midwestern United States chain of root beer and hot dog drive-in style eateries featuring the once popular and now rare form of in-car "carhop" delivery service.
History
The first Dog n Suds was opened in 1953 in Champaign, Illinois, by University of Illinois music teachers James Griggs and Don Hamacher. The chain grew rapidly throughout the 1950s and 1960s, and a training center was established in Champaign, named "Rover College" after the dog on the restaurant signage.[2] At its peak in the mid-1970s, the chain had about 600 restaurants. Griggs sold his interest in the business in the early 1970s. Later owners abandoned the franchise business and sold the rights to make Dog n Suds branded root beer to another company.
In 1991, Don and Carol VanDame, owners of a Dog n Suds in Lafayette, Indiana, purchased the Dog n Suds trademark and identity rights.[2] In 2001, the VanDames created a new company, TK&C's LLC, to administer licensing rights for the brand. [3] As of November 2011, 17 locations remain open.
Don Hamacher passed away on January 4, 2013.[4]
Food
Dog n Suds serves many different food items, but mainly serves hot dogs. The "Dog" in Dog n Suds represents the Coney Island hot dog-style chili con carne over hot dog or chili dog served there, while the "Suds" represent its super-sweet original formula homemade root beer, which is served in frosted glass mugs and claimed to be "The World's Creamiest Root Beer." Dog n Suds root beer can also be found in some vending machines throughout the midwest and is also available by internet orders in plastic and glass bottles from various retailers.
Another favorite from the classic Dog n Suds menu is the Texas Burger. This burger is made using two burger patties, 1½ buns (One top, one middle, and one bottom), a slice of cheese on the top burger, lettuce and the Dog n Suds secret sauce on the middle bun, and Coney sauce on the bottom bun.
Locations
As of November 2011, there are 17 Dog n Suds restaurants in the United States. [1][5]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Dog n Suds locations". Dog n Suds official website. Retrieved 2010-01-02.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Dog n Suds History". Retrieved June 23, 2013.
- ↑ "Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS)". Retrieved December 11, 2010.
- ↑ "Donald Hamacher obituare". Retrieved June 23, 2013.
- ↑ 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 Apr. 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
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dog n Suds. |
- List of all Dog n Suds locations
- Dog n Suds in Lafayette, Indiana
- Dog n Suds in Montague and Norton Shores, Michigan
- Dog n Suds TK&C's LLC, the owner of licensing rights.
- History of Dog n Suds, at TK&C's LLC.
- Dog n Suds In Loves Park.
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