Winky’s
For a sizable portion of the 20th century, Winky’s was a mainstay in the Pittsburgh region. Harold and Bernard Erenstein, two brothers, launched the chain in 1963. With catchphrases like “Fast Food Cheap” and “Winky’s Makes You Happy to be Hungry,” Winky’s gained notoriety for its inexpensive hamburgers and hot dogs. There were 42 stores in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio at their busiest in the late 1970s. However, the chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1982 and went out of business.
Winky’s
Wimpy Grills
One of the most intriguing entries on our list is Wimpy Grills. In 1934, a hamburger franchise was established in Bloomington, Indiana. Before going out of business in 1978, the chain enjoyed some measure of success in the United States. The situation was different abroad, where Wimpy’s is still popular, particularly in the United Kingdom.
Wimpy Grills