Dog n Suds facts for kids
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A Dog n Suds location at night.
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| Drive-In | |
| Industry | Fast food |
| Founded | 1952 in Champaign, Illinois |
| Founders | James Griggs, Don Hamacher |
| Headquarters | , |
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Number of locations
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15 |
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Area served
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Midwestern United States |
| Products | Hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, root beer |
| Owner | Frostie Enterprises (1974) Don and Carol VanDame (TK&C's LLC)(1991) |
Dog n Suds is a midwestern United States chain of hot dog and root beer drive-in style eateries. 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 and serves hamburgers, french fries and soft drinks.
History
The first Dog n Suds was opened in 1953 in Champaign, Illinois, by Champaign High School music teachers James Griggs and Don Hamacher. 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. At its peak in 1968, the chain had about 650 restaurants.
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.
In 1991, the VanDames purchased the Dog n Suds trademark and identity rights. In 2001, they created a new company, TK&C's LLC, to administer licensing rights for the brand.
