You know how the “Friends” crew always chilled out at Central Perk, how often Jerry on “Seinfeld” had insane conversations with George at Monk’s Café, and how “Frasier” dad Martin Crane was devastated when they closed his favorite bar, Duke’s?
We all should have that one place where we feel comfortable, like it’s a second home — where, of course, everybody knows your name.
That’s a place you visit not only for its food and drink offerings, but also because it provides an unmatched experience. An atmosphere where you feel good.
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People have widely differing tastes, interests, characters, and styles. That’s why there are so many different coffee places, clubs, diners, restaurants and fast-food chains to meet every demand.
When one such restaurant closes its doors, chances are customers will be upset. It’s hard to adapt to another place, despite it also having great offerings. It’s just different.
Remember what happened on “Seinfeld” when Jerry and Elaine went to Reggie’s instead of Monk’s? A disaster.
At a time when all we hear is that another fast-food chain has closed its doors or gone bankrupt, one restaurant is bringing great news of its strong comeback after decades.
The Western-themed fast-food chain, popular for the “Big Three” offering and famous Fixins Bar, is making a comeback.
Image source: Roy Rogers Restaurants
The wild history of an iconic Western-themed chain
Remember Roy Rogers, the legendary Western-themed fast-food chain that was popular in the ’70s, and ’80s?
It all started as the rebranding of the RoBee’s House of Beef chain of Fort Wayne, Indiana, acquired by the Marriott Corporation. In 1968, the first Roy Rogers opened in Falls Church, Virginia.
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In the early 1970s, Roy Rogers launched the “Big Three” by adding Pappy Parker’s Fried Chicken and quarter-pound burgers to a menu that already featured roast beef.
In 1980, Marriott employee Peter Plamondon, Sr., believed strongly in Roy Rogers, so he left to become a Roy Rogers franchisee. He opened his first location in Frederick, Maryland, in August of that year.
In the mid-1980s, the restaurant introduced the famous Fixins Bar, where customers could customize their sandwiches, burgers, and other menu items with various fresh vegetables, sauces, and toppings. The Fixins Bar became a popular feature, attracting many customers.
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In the 1990s, with as many as 648 operating restaurants, Marriott sold the Roy Rogers chain to Imasco, the parent company of Hardee’s, for $365 million. The chain experienced a significant decline due to many locations being converted to Hardee’s.
Then in 2002, Plamondon’s sons acquired the chain, and over the last two decades, worked on maintaining their father’s vision for offering customers an unmatched experience.
Roy Rogers is back in South Jersey, welcomed with long lines
In the latest news, Roy Rogers opened its newest location in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, on June 25. This is the company’s first new location since the 1990s.
“The feedback from the Cherry Hill community since we announced this new restaurant has been overwhelmingly positive, and we have been working hard to make this opening a grand success,” said Roy Rogers Co-President Jim Plamondon. “We are excited to make this long-anticipated return, and Cherry Hill allows us to serve a growing, diverse community and introduce a new generation to the quality and variety that makes Roy Rogers a cut above.”
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Several fans started lining up even before sunrise on the day of the opening, while at 5 a.m. there was already a long line of excited customers.
Fans are mainly nostalgic about the fried chicken, roast beef sandwiches, and Double R Bar Burger, which features ham as the main ingredient. Other customers showed up longing for that famous Fixins bar, which allows patrons to fill up their burger as much as they like with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and more.
“I came over [from Philadelphia] for Roy Rogers opening for the free fixins bar. I remember growing up and it was about a mile from my house, and that’s all I remember growing up is getting all the pickles I wanted, said one customer, as reported by 6 ABC.
Many fans took their thoughts on Instagram, asking for the restaurant chain to come back to their states.
“Come back to Pittsburgh, Pa., so many good memories from the past,” wrote one nostalgic customer.
Another was more detailed about what they miss the most: “Open in Florida!! Miss the roast beef and fried chicken.”
Roy Rogers currently runs less than 50 locations across five states.
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