The Varsity (restaurant) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Varsity |
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The front exterior of The Varsity.
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| Restaurant information | |
| Slogan | What'll ya have? |
| Established | 1928 |
| Food type | Fast food |
| Street address | 61 North Avenue NW (original) |
| City | Atlanta |
| State | Georgia |
| Postal/ZIP code | 30308 |
| Country | United States |
| Seating capacity | 800+ inside and 600 cars (Downtown location) |
| Other locations | Hartsfield-Jackson Airport (Atlanta), Kennesaw, Norcross, Dawsonville (Varsity Jr)--all in Georgia |
| Website | Official website: http://www.thevarsity.com/index.php |
The Varsity is a very famous restaurant chain in Atlanta, Georgia. The main Varsity restaurant was once the biggest drive-in fast food spot in the world! It was so huge it covered two city blocks and could serve 800 people at a time. The main location stopped offering car-side service in 2020. Today, there are six other Varsity restaurants around the Atlanta area.
Contents
The Varsity's History
The Varsity started way back in 1928. It was first called "The Yellow Jacket." It opened in Midtown Atlanta. The founder, Frank Gordy, was a student who dropped out of Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech).
Growing Bigger and Moving Locations
As the restaurant became super popular, Frank Gordy had to move it to a bigger spot on North Avenue. This new place is so big it covers two city blocks! That's when the name changed to "The Varsity." Frank wanted to open restaurants near other college campuses, like a "varsity" team. For many years, The Varsity offered "curbside service," meaning you could order and eat right in your car. This service ended in 2020.
The main Varsity restaurant in Atlanta is now right next to a big highway called the Downtown Connector. When this highway was built, it took up some of The Varsity's land. So, they had to build a parking garage to make up for the lost parking spots. The restaurant and the Georgia Tech campus are on opposite sides of this highway, connected by a bridge.
Other Varsity Locations
Over the years, The Varsity has opened restaurants in other cities in Georgia. Some of these include Athens, Kennesaw, Norcross, and Dawsonville. Some locations have closed, but new ones have also opened. For example, the Athens location closed in 2021, but the company has hinted it might return there someday.
There's even a mini-Varsity on the campus of Reinhardt University in Waleska, Georgia. This is special because Frank Gordy met his wife, Evelyn, at Reinhardt in 1924.
The Varsity's Culture
The Varsity is known for its unique atmosphere and famous employees.
Famous Employees and Visitors
One of the most well-known employees was Erby Walker. He worked at The Varsity for 45 years! He started at age 15, sweeping floors, and eventually became famous for how fast he could take orders. His special saying was, "Have your money out and your food on your mind, and I'll getcha to the game on time!" He was so good that he was even put into the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau Hospitality Hall of Fame.
The comedian Nipsey Russell actually started his career at The Varsity in the 1940s. He was a "carhop," taking orders from cars. He would tell jokes and sing songs while working, which helped him earn extra tips!
Many important people have visited The Varsity, including four U.S. presidents: Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama. Even the artist Jack Davis, who worked for Mad, created advertisements for The Varsity.
The Varsity in Movies and TV
The Varsity has also appeared in movies and TV shows. It was featured in a PBS documentary called A Hot Dog Program. It also showed up in the movie We Are Marshall.
Books About The Varsity
If you want to learn even more about The Varsity, check out these books:
- What'll Ya Have: A History of the Varsity. Dick Parker. Looking Glass Books, 2003. ISBN: 978-1-929619-18-4
- Images of America: The Varsity. Janice McDonald. Arcadia Publishing, 2011. ISBN: 978-0-7385-8797-4
