Zip's Drive-in facts for kids
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| Private | |
| Industry | Fast Food |
| Founded | 1953 Kennewick, Washington, U.S. |
| Headquarters |
Spokane Valley, WA
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Number of locations
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39 |
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Area served
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Inland Northwest |
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Key people
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Robert "Zip" Zuber (Founder) |
Zip's Drive In, usually called "Zip's," is a restaurant chain. It is located in the Inland Northwest area of the United States. It began as a drive-in restaurant. In the 1960s and 1970s, it grew across the region. Zip's was one of the few drive-ins that kept expanding. This was because it quickly added drive-through lanes. It changed to a more modern fast food style of business.
History of Zip's Drive In
Zip's Drive In was started in 1953. It was founded by Robert "Zip" Zuber in Kennewick, Washington. Zip's first opened to serve people working in the Tri-Cities. Many of these workers were at the Hanford Site. The restaurant's motto was "Thrift and Swift."
Zip's became very popular. Because of this, Zuber decided to open another store. This new location was in Spokane, Washington. It was near the Gonzaga College campus. Students there really liked it. Later, Zip Zuber sold the business. After a few changes, it was mainly owned by Ed Minor, Don Kelly, and Harold Fettig. They helped the business grow a lot in the 1960s and 1970s.
In the 1960s, Zip's was a typical American drive-in. Customers would drive up to a phone or table. They would place an order, and a carhop would bring the food to their car. But by the 1970s, many drive-ins were closing. They couldn't keep up with faster fast food restaurants. Zip's started to struggle too. However, Minor and Kelly had a smart idea. They built some of the first drive-thrus in the Northwest. This quick thinking saved the chain. Zip's is now one of the few local restaurant chains still open today.
Where to Find Zip's Locations
Zip's restaurants are found in 8 counties. These counties are in Washington and Idaho. At its busiest time, Zip's had locations in 11 counties. In 2017, there were 40 Zip's restaurants. All of them were in the Inland Northwest.
Some people compare Zip's to In-N-Out Burger in southern California. This is because both chains are popular in their specific regions. They also have a strong group of loyal fans. Zip's began in the Tri-Cities. Then it spread to Spokane. After that, it expanded into the Idaho Panhandle and the Palouse areas.
Zip's is not a franchise. This means each restaurant can be a little different. The menu might change slightly depending on the owner. Hours also vary, and some locations even serve breakfast. A Zip's restaurant opened in Boise, Idaho once. But it closed during a tough economic time.
What's on the Zip's Menu?
Zip's is well-known in its area for using a lot of tartar sauce. People in the Inland Northwest seem to really like this sauce. The restaurant is also famous for its delicious shakes. Zip's makes a lot of sauce each week. They make 30 gallons of fry sauce and 40 gallons of tartar sauce. Customers can even buy these sauces to take home.
See also
- List of hamburger restaurants
