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Chip's

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Chip's started out as a Southern chain with headquarters in Rocky Mount, NC. The Chip's building design was tradedmarked in 1964. There were approximately 150 locations built. When Chip's filed for bankruptcy in the mid-1960s, the company sold its franchising rights to a company in Wisconsin. There are a couple of still-operating locations in that state (see links below). Chip's Durham and Raleigh buildings were taken over by Hardee's in the late 1960s.

Chip's promoted the pairing of their restaurants with Arnold Palmer mini golfs. I'm not sure how many, if any, of these dual-franchises were built. (info/ad thanks Robby Delius]

Empire Tire
Orlando, FL		 Astra Cleaners
Hazlet, NJ
The Empire Tire building was originally used as a Chip's hamburger stand. The drive-thru window of the Empire Tire building might have been a later addition. [left photo 2005, right photo 2009]

Astra Cleaners must have been a former Chip's.

former Chip's
Johnson City, TN
This Johnson City building is a very intact former Chip's. As of 2007, it was vacant. The red, white and blue tilework is original as well as the "Hamburgers" signage and trashcans. The outer walls were added later when the location upgraded from a walk-up location to offer indoor seating.

former Chip's
Raleigh, NC
In recent years, this former Raleigh Chip's has been a pizza shop and a car wash. In 2008 (top photos), it was home to Stop & N Go Auto Parts. By 2010 (bottom photos), the building housed Lobo Tire. The canopy was probably not part of the original design. It may have been added by Hardee's or another business at a later time. [top photos thanks Robby Delius]

Ed's In-Town Deli
Mocksville, NC
Ed's In-Town Deli looks like one in a string of occupants of this former Chip's. The building in front of the A-frame has obviously been expanded.

L.A. Cafe
Waterford, MI
The L.A. Cafe is another former Chip's. I don't know of any other Chip's buildings in Michigan.

Tasty Carry Out
Capitol Heights, MD		 former Chip's
Milwaukee, WI
The Tasty Carry Out is another former Chip's.

This former Chip's in Milwaukee recently housed Judy's Vienna Red Hots. The original Chip's sign had been repurposed. Judy's closed around 2009. In 2011 when this photo was taken, the building was occupied by NNR Tobacco and the sign was gone. For more, see this website.

More Chip's:
Winston-Salem, NC
Marshfield, WI
Merrill, WI: 1, 2, 3
Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Fonda
Fort Payne, AL
It is believed that this Fonda restaurant was built as a Jack's restaurant. The current owners believe it was built in the early 1950s. However, A-frame fast food restaurant don't really appear until the late 1950s and mostly early 1960s. The lettering on this freestanding sign was changed with the name change.

The similarity between this building and those of the Chip's chain is remarkable. Even the diamonds used in the sign are
similar to those used by Chip's. Since there are the same number of letters in Chip's and Jack's, that doesn't help solve this mystery. It appears that this canopy roofline did not extend all the way back like the Chip's buildings. Also, I have not seen multi-colored plastic windows on the side of the A-frame like those on this building and the location described below.

Big Chief Drive-in
Glencoe, AL
This Big Chief Drive-in is also believed to have originally been a Jack's restaurant. It was built with the same plans as the one in Fort Payne and operated by a relative. It has been around since at least 1965. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3.

Golden Point Griff's Mister Swiss
Whataburger More A-Frames
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