Zip's Drive-in facts for kids
Zip's Drive In, often called just "Zip's," is a popular restaurant chain in the Inland Northwest part of the United States. It started as a classic drive-in restaurant where you ate in your car. Over time, it changed to become more like a fast food place, adding drive-through lanes. This helped Zip's grow and stay open when many other drive-ins closed.
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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) |
History of Zip's Drive In
Zip's Drive In was started in 1953 by Robert "Zip" Zuber. It opened in Kennewick, Washington. The first Zip's was made to serve scientists and workers. These people were coming to the Tri-Cities area for jobs. The restaurant's early motto was "Thrift and Swift."
Zip's became very popular. So, Zuber decided to open another store. This new location was in Spokane, Washington, near the Gonzaga College campus. Students there really liked it. Later, Zip Zuber sold the business. It was then 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 and order food. A carhop would then bring the food to their car. But by the 1970s, many drive-ins were closing. Faster fast food restaurants were becoming more popular. Zip's started to struggle too.
However, Minor and Kelly had a smart idea. They built some of the first drive-through lanes in the Northwest. This quick thinking saved the restaurant chain. Zip's is now one of the few local restaurant chains still open today.
Where to Find Zip's
Zip's restaurants are found in 8 counties across Washington and Idaho. At its busiest, 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 California. This is because both chains are mostly in one region. They also have a loyal group of fans. Zip's started in the Tri-Cities. Then it spread to Spokane. After that, it grew into the Idaho Panhandle and the Palouse areas.
Zip's is not a franchise. This means each restaurant might be slightly different. The menu can change a little depending on the owner. Hours also vary, and some locations even serve breakfast. A Zip's once opened in Boise, Idaho. But it closed during a tough economic time.
What's on the Menu
Zip's is well-known for using a lot of tartar sauce on its food. 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
