Although Wimpy outlets have decreased in numbers in the United Kingdom, they are still found in many towns and cities, including Huddersfield, and at seafront/seasonal locations, such as Felixstowe, Clacton-on-Sea, Clarence Pier in Southsea and Brean Leisure Park in Somerset. [24]
Are there any Wimpy stores in the UK?
Although Wimpy outlets have decreased in numbers in the United Kingdom, they are still found in many towns and cities, including Huddersfield, and at seafront/seasonal locations, such as Felixstowe, Clacton-on-Sea, Clarence Pier in Southsea, Porthcawl and Brean Leisure Park in Somerset.
What is the history of Wimpy?
Wimpy (restaurant) The chain originally began in 1934 in the United States and was based in Chicago. The brand was introduced to the United Kingdom in 1954 as "Wimpy Bar". Wimpy grew to approximately 1,500 locations in several countries before narrowing to a few hundred locations in two to three countries.
When did Wimpy's change their logo?
The "new" logo is the one that had been used by Wimpy UK from the 1960s until the 1980s. In November 2009, Famous Brands began to upgrade its 170 locations in the United Kingdom to resemble United States-style diners. As of October 2021, 67 restaurants remain in the United Kingdom.
What happened to Wimpy bars in the UK?
Grand Metropolitan would begin to phase out the Wimpy Bar in the United Kingdom, rebranding many of them as Burger King (which it also owned) due to Burger King having the greater brand recognition amongst consumers, to aid market competition against McDonald's. Following various buyouts, Wimpy was sold to Famous Brands in 2007.
Is Wimpy coming back to UK?
Wimpy - one of Britain's inaugural fast-food chains - is set to make a revival as the fast-food chain announced plans for a nationwide expansion in the UK. At its peak, there were over 500 Wimpy stores in the UK and one in every high street in every major city.
Is Wimpy closing down?
Fast-food restaurant Wimpy, which was based in Surrey Street, closed for the final time earlier this month. Meanwhile, fashion retailer M&Co's High Street branch will serve customers for the final time on Saturday, July 9.
How many Wimpy bars are left in London?
Those were simpler pre-internet times. There are now fewer Wimpys than ever: only 89 are left in the UK. In London, where the British brand first opened its doors at Piccadilly Circus, there are only 10.
Who owns Wimpy now?
Wimpy currently has seventy-nine fast food restaurants in the UK. Now owned by the Famous Brands group, the restaurants still offer the original Wimpy, pure beef hamburger, which in 1957 cost 1/3d and today costs £2.85.
When did Wimpy close in UK?
The "new" logo is the one that had been used by Wimpy UK from the 1960s until the 1980s. In November 2009, Famous Brands began to upgrade its 170 locations in the United Kingdom to resemble United States-style diners. As of July 2022, 67 restaurants remain in the United Kingdom.
Is Wimpy making a comeback?
Wimpy is making a comeback as it announces plans for expansion.
Did Burger King take over Wimpy?
In 1989, Wimpy underwent the most significant change in its history – not that I was aware of it at the time, of course. A company called Grand Metropolitan PLC (which had also recently acquired Burger King) bought it and converted nearly 100 Wimpy counter-service units into Burger Kings.
How much does a Wimpy franchise cost?
New Wimpy Franchisees can expect to pay between R1. 9 million – R2. 5 million and an initial franchisee fee of R114,300 (excluding VAT). Franchisees are also expected to pay 7% of their turnover in management fees and 5% of their turnover in royalties.
What are Wimpy burgers made of?
What are Wimpy Beef Burgers made of? Our burgers are made from 100% British Beef with just an added seasoning. This means that the burger patty recipe is actually 99% beef (which is 100% British) and 1% seasoning.
What does Wimpy stand for?
not strong, brave, or confident: I'm far too wimpy to go rock climbing. I was too wimpy to be a boxer so I decided to be a musician. See. wimp.
How many little chefs are there in the UK?
From 11 seats, we've grown to become one of the UK's favourite roadside restaurants with 70 Little Chef restaurants from Scotland down to Cornwall.
When did Wimpy close in Scotland?
2014Wimpy once had a presence in towns and cities the length and breadth of Scotland, including Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Kirkcaldy, Paisley and Peterhead, but these days only a handful remain. Its Peterhead branch closed in 2014, after four decades of trading in the Aberdeenshire town.
Where is open all night in London?
LONDON'S BEST NIGHT CLUBS & LATE-OPENING BARS1 Upstairs @ Ronnie's, Soho. Speakeasy bar. ... 2 Duck & Waffle, The City. Restaurant/Bar. ... 3 Proud Embankment. Cabaret Club. ... 4 The London Cabaret Club, Bloomsbury. Cabaret Club. ... 6 Cahoots, Carnaby. ... 7 Bar Italia, Soho. ... 8 Dogstar, Brixton. ... 9 Charlie Wright's International Bar, Hoxton.More items...•
Where was the first Wimpy's Diner?
Wimpy's was established in 1961 as "Wimpy's Drive-In" in Toronto (Wimpy's Charcoal House at Finch Avenue West and Yonge Street).
What is open in London after midnight?
7 Places To Go In London After Midnight1 | Sing at Lucky Voice, Soho. ... 2 | Grab a milkshake at Tinseltown, Farringdon. ... 3 | Go clubbing at Fabric, Farringdon. ... 4 | Go for eggs at Balans Café, Soho. ... 5 | Eat a whole roasted chicken at Duck and Waffle. ... 6 | Party at Dogstar, Brixton.More items...•
Why do bars close early in London?
It's a national law, not just for London, that was introduced during WW1, would you believe it, to make sure the workers made it into the factories on time in the morning. There's always talk about loosening the licensing laws, but nothing yet has happened. Pubs stop serving even earlier on Sundays - 10.30pm.
Where is Wimpy located?
The brand is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa. The chain began in 1934 in the United States ...
How many Wimpy restaurants are there in the UK?
In November 2009, Famous Brands began to upgrade its 170 locations in the United Kingdom to resemble United States-style diners. As of June 2021, 70 restaurants remain in the United Kingdom.
How many Wimpy Grills did Gold have?
According to a 1978 Chicago Tribune article, Gold's company Wimpy Grills Inc. of Chicago, had 25 locations in the United States at its peak, but only seven locations remained at the time of his death in 1977.
Why did Wimpy fail in the Cold War?
A food historian writing in 2014 believes that Wimpy's failure to survive in Cold War era West Germany was caused by West German consumers of the 1960s preferring to eat familiar German-style chicken meals at the local Wienerwald chain instead of getting an unfamiliar American-style hamburger sandwich at Wimpy.
Why did Wimpy refuse to enter a woman's house?
During the 1970s Wimpy refused entry to women on their own after midnight. This may be because of an assumption they might be prostitutes.
Where did the name Wimpy come from?
The name was inspired by the character of J. Wellington Wimpy from the Popeye cartoons created by E. C. Segar.
When was Wimpy Bar introduced?
The brand was introduced to the United Kingdom in 1954 as "Wimpy Bar". Wimpy grew to approximately 1,500 locations in several countries before narrowing to a few hundred locations in two countries. Wimpy's worldwide headquarters was located in the United States and the United Kingdom before relocating to South Africa.
When was Wimpy Bar founded?
Wimpy - or Wimpy Bar, as it was originally called - was founded by Edward V. Gold in 1934. The first outlet was in Chicago, but the brand was soon able to expand across the globe.
Does Wimpy franchise?
Yes, Wimpy uses the franchise model to expand internationally. Investors in Great Britain can take advantage of the model by getting involved with Wimpy UK, the brand’s British investment network.
Remember MySpace?
Remember MySpace? I think anyone that does slightly regrets jumping over and giving Facebook the power it has now. They had the original idea, Facebook did it better. We introduce the burger version of MySpace!
The history of Wimpy!
Itwas established in 1935 in the USA, yes this makes it older than McDonalds. In the US it was never huge, reaching 25 stores at its peak, but they were innovators international franchising.
Wimpy International and Wimpy UK
In 1954 Wimpy started franchising internationally, particularly to the UK. Eventually the brand had over 1500 locations throughout the world, mostly in the UK. The company also moved to England and essentially became a bit of an institution.
Cometh the Big Mac
McDonalds entered the UK at the end of the 1970’s and to cut a long story short severely cut the grass of Wimpy Burger. Sales would then continue to dwindle until the end of the 1980’s, but not before I had had my birthday party there!
Cometh the Whopper
With sales dwindling at the end of the 1980’s Wimpy decided to sell up to a company called Diageo , yep those guys. At that point they had 381 fast food joints. Sadly Diageo had acquired the UK rights for Burger King the previous year. Wimpy was out and Burger King was in.
Table service Wimpy Continues
Whilst they had sole the fast food joints, they had kept the 200, or so table service restaurants, as well as 140+ worldwide franchises. But the end was fast approaching.
Is Wimpy Still around today??
In the UK they still very much exists, and I can remember spending many an hour I should have been in school smoking and hanging out. They are still table service and have that 1950’s American diner aura to them (kinda).
