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A-Frame Chains & Other Eateries (page 1)

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Der Wienerschnitzel was founded in Wilmington, CA in 1961. The company claims to be the "world's largest hot dog chain". Now known simply as "Wienerschnitzel", they have over 340 restaurants in 10 states. In 1962, their distinctive building was introduced: a giant red-roofed A-frame pierced by a drive-thru window. There are hundreds if not thousands of these buildings left across the country - most of them housing other businesses. I'm only including a few examples here. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

For a thorough discussion of Der Wienerschnitzel and other A-frame style food chains from the early 1960s, see Chad Randl's book A-frame.

Der Wienerschnitzel
Salt Lake City, UT
This Der Wienerschnitzel retains its original A-frame building. Somewhere along the line, Wienerschnitzel painted the red roofs yellow.

former Der Wienerschnitzel
Las Vegas, NV
In 2006, this Der Wienerschnitzel was vacant. It had been "Straight from Philly Steakout", part of a steak sandwich chain. In 2007, the building was repainted and became the Llantera, a Mexican take-out restaurant. This business was short-lived and the building became vacant again.

former Der Wienerschnitzel
Hampton, VA		 former Der Wienerschnitzel
Los Angeles, CA
This former Der Wienerschnitzel in Hampton now houses The Dog House.

This former Der Wienerschnitzel in Los Angeles now houses an Original Tommy's Hamburgers.

former Gibson's/Lendy's (gone)
Richmond, VA		 former Gibson's/Lendy's
now Moon Garden restaurant
Richmond, VA
former Gibson's
Roanoke, VA
These former Gibson's in Richmond are examples of how Lendy's remodeled/encased the buildings that they bought. Lendy's featured Kentucky Fried Chicken on their menu and and in their signage. [first photo thanks Twig Gravley]

This Gibson's in Roanoke is now concealed behind a check-cashing business. Since this photo was taken in 2005, the A-frame's peak has been removed. [photo thanks Robby Delius]

Heap Big Beef was a nationwide, late 1960s roast beef chain. Although the company is long gone and none of the locations are still operating, many of the buildings still around. None of the signs, original or adapted, are known to exist. For more, see this website.

former Heap Big Beef
Tampa, FL		 former Heap Big Beef
Greensboro, NC		 former Heap Big Beef
Rumford, RI
This Heap Big Beef in Tampa now houses Nick's Gyros & Subs.

This Heap Big Beef in Greensboro has housed Ghassan's restaurant since 1975.

This Heap Big Beef in Rumford now houses Lovely Nails.

former Heap Big Beef
Youngstown, OH		 former Heap Big Beef
Millbrae, CA
This Heap Big Beef in Youngstown now houses Joe Restaurant.

This Heap Big Beef in Millbrae has housed El Super Burrito since 1977.

former Heap Big Beef
Westland, MI		 former Heap Big Beef
Temple Hills, MD		 former Heap Big Beef
Moline, IL
This Heap Big Beef in Westland now houses Village Place Coney Island.

This Heap Big Beef in Temple Hills is now occupied by Jerry's Subs & Pizza.

This Heap Big Beef in Moline now houses Jack Chiropractic.

former Heap Big Beef
Grand Rapids, MI		 former Heap Big Beef
Oklahoma City, OK
This Heap Big Beef in Grand Rapids now houses the Sunrise Restaurant. The front part of the building is an addition to the original building. The "a Meal or a Snack" sign is probably not original either. I have not seen any Heap Big Beef advertisements or vintage photos with that sign or one shaped like that on the building.

This Heap Big Beef in Oklahoma City was vacant when this photo was taken in 2011. Its previous tenant was the Sweet Tea restaurant. Before that, it was the Pho 2000 restaurant.

More Heap Big Beefs
Gadsden, AL
Tampa, FL
Bloomington, IL
Springfield, MO [gone]

Kim's Restaurant
Charleston, SC
Kim's Restaurant supposedly started out as a Village Inn Pizza Parlor (see below). However, the roofline doesn't seem steep enough. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.

former Village Inn Pizza Parlor
El Paso, TX
former Village Inn Pizza Parlor
Prescott, AZ
former Village Inn Pizza Parlor
Yuma, AZ
2008: 2012:
These former Village Inn Pizza Parlor locations were part of a chain that was established by 1963. The El Paso building has housed the Rib Hut since 1984. The Prescott building now houses Fast Auto Loans. The Yuma building housed A Bloom'n Florist when the first photo above was taken in 2008. By 2011, it housed Steiner's European Deli & Market.

There are at least a couple of locations in close-to-original condition in Statesville, NC and Helena, MT.

These buildings' stone and glass front is quite similar to the Hyatt Coffee Shops, Copper Penny restaurants, Lodge Coffee Shops, and Foxy's restaurants (see below). However, the most recognizable difference is the shape of the windows. The Village Inn Pizza Parlor windows are more horizontal while the others are set on a diagonal and diamond-shaped. I don't know if there was any connection between any of these restaurants or the designer.

Bella Italia
San Gabriel, CA		 Foxy's Restaurant
Glendale, CA
former Foxy's Restaurant
Downey, CA
The Bella Italia restaurant appears to have been another Hyatt Coffee Shop, Lodge Coffee Shop, or Foxy's restaurant.

Foxy's was designed by Burt Richardson in 1964. For more, see this website. The Foxy's in Downey used the same design and was built in 1967. It was later known as the Nordic Fox. The building now houses the Downey Brewing Company.

GD Burgers
La Puente, CA
The GD Burgers building looks a lot like a Mister Swiss but I think the roof slopes too dramatically in back for that. Does anyone know anything about the history of this place?

More A-Frames
(page 2)		 Chip's Golden Point
Griff's Mister Swiss Whataburger
Main Eateries Page