Kewpee facts for kids
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| Private corporation | |
| Industry | Fast Food |
| Founded | Flint, Michigan, U.S., (1923) |
| Founder | Samuel V. Blair |
| Headquarters |
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United States
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Number of locations
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5 Restaurants (2022) 3 corporate 2 franchises |
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Area served
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Midwest United States |
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Key people
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| Products | Fast food, including hamburgers, french fries, pies, and Frozen Malts |
| Services | franchising |
| Revenue | $6+ million (2009) |
| Owner | Harrison E. Shutt |
Kewpee Hamburgers is one of the oldest fast-food restaurants chains in the United States. It was founded in 1923 in Flint, Michigan. The first restaurant was called "Kewpee Hotel Hamburgs."
The chain is named after the famous Kewpie doll. Kewpee was a pioneer in how people got their food. It was one of the first places to offer "curbside service." This meant you could get your food delivered right to your car! Later, this idea changed into drive-in service, and then into the drive-thru service we know today.
The Kewpee restaurants in Lima, Ohio, use beef from local farms. This fresh beef is delivered to the restaurants every day. The original Kewpee Restaurant in Lima, Ohio, is even considered a historic site.
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The History of Kewpee Hamburgers
Kewpee Hamburgers started in 1923 in Flint, Michigan. It was founded by Samuel V. Blair. He opened the first restaurant as a small stand called "Kewpee Hotel."
In 1926, Blair sold the rights to the Kewpee name to Ed Adams. Adams operated a Kewpee Hotel in Toledo, Ohio.
Early Growth and Changes
The Weston family has owned and run the Kewpee restaurant in Lansing, Michigan, since it first opened in 1923. They are now in their fourth generation of operating the restaurant!
Kewpee's early plan was to avoid opening restaurants in very big cities. After a time called Prohibition, some Kewpee restaurants started selling real beer. Before that, they mostly sold root beer and coffee.
In 1928, a Kewpee location opened in Lima, Ohio. It was owned by Hoyt “Stub” Wilson. By 1929, there were about 200 Kewpee restaurants. Just before World War II, there were more than 400 Kewpee restaurants operating.
Changes in Ownership
Samuel Blair retired in 1944. He rented out his original restaurant location. After Blair passed away in 1945, others continued to use the Kewpee name. They paid fees to Ed Adams for this.
In 1958, the original location was sold to William "Bill" V. Thomas. Around the same time, Harrison "Harry" E. Shutt started working for Wilson at his Lima restaurant.
In 1967, many Kewpee locations either closed or changed their names. This happened because the company that owned the Kewpee name wanted a new agreement. They asked for a percentage of the restaurants' profits.
The original Flint location changed its name to Bill Thomas' Halo Burger. This restaurant is still open today, but not in the very first building. That building was torn down in 1979.
In 1985, the owner of the Kewpee in Lima, Ohio, bought the rights to the Kewpee name. This meant that the Lima owner now controlled the famous Kewpee trademark. Harrison Shutt became president of Kewpee, Inc. in 1970. He bought Wilson's Lima restaurant after Wilson passed away in 1980.
Kewpee's Influence
Dave Thomas, who founded Wendy's restaurants, loved eating at Kewpee when he was a child. He said that Kewpee's square hamburgers and thick milkshakes inspired him to start his own restaurant business. Wendy's is famous for its square burgers and thick milkshakes too!
In 2010, Kewpee was named one of the "All-American Icons" by National Restaurant News. The city council in Lima, Ohio, even congratulated the company.
A book about Kewpee's history was released in 2023. It is called Kewpee Hamburgers: A Mity Nice History.
Kewpee Slogans
Kewpee has had several catchy advertising slogans over the years. Their main slogan is: Hamburg pickle on top, makes your heart go flippity-flop!
Earlier slogans included:
- "Mity Nice Hamburger"
- "Your Granpappy ate here"
- "We cater to all the folks"
Kewpee Locations
Today, there are five Kewpee restaurants still open.
Three of these locations are in Lima, Ohio:
- Kewpee Hamburgers Downtown – This location in Lima, Ohio, opened in 1928. It was one of the first Kewpee franchises. The building has a cool, old-fashioned style called Streamline Moderne. It features shiny porcelain and stainless steel. This building was considered for the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
- Kewpee Hamburgers West
- Kewpee Hamburgers East
Besides Lima, there is one Kewpee restaurant in Racine, Wisconsin. There is also one in Lansing, Michigan, which is called Weston's Kewpee Sandwich Shop.
See also
- List of hamburger restaurants
