A-FRAME CHAINS: MR. SWISS

Mr. Swiss is another A-frame style restaurant with a box in front (see this ad [thanks Robby Delius]). The Mr. Swiss company was based in Oklahoma City, OK. The restaurants sold soft-serve ice cream, hamburgers and other sandwiches. The chain was started in 1964 by L.J. Doerfler. By 1968, there were more than 100 stores in 38 states. Just a year later, there were 175 locations nationwide. It appears the chain fell apart sometime in the 1970s. By the late 1970s, there were hardly any locations left. However, there are still a number of surviving buildings.

Mr. Swiss Cumming, GA

This remodeling of the Cumming's Mr. Swiss included putting a huge roof structure on top of the box. Although they still use the original sign, it is now a "country biscuit" restaurant. Shortly before these photos were taken in 2007, the sign was damaged and it was only one-sided. Sometime in 2008, the other half was removed. This was the only Mr. Swiss sign left that I know of other than the altered one in Lebanon, MO (see link bottom of this page). The image at Google Street View shows both the empty sign frame and what appears to be papered-over windows. So this location might be closed now. For more, see this website. [ad thanks Robby Delius]

Van's Vans Webb City, MO	Enterprise Rent-a-Car Claremore, OK

Van's Vans occupies a former "Mr. Swiss" burger stand. For more, see their website. This Enterprise Rent-a-Car appears to be another former "Mr. Swiss". Notice how the Mr. Swiss A-Frames stop a couple feet above the ground. This photo was taken in 2006. By 2010, it had been a restaurant of some sort again before becoming vacant. For more, see this website.

Fat Mo's Murfreesboro, TN

Fat Mo's was established in 1991 and has 18 locations in the Nashville area. As far as I know, this is the only one that occupies a former Mr. Swiss building. They have one in Nashville in a former Central Park restaurant.

East End Auto Sales Richmond, VA

Your Way Cafe Jacksonville, NC

East End Auto Sales and Your Way Cafe are two other examples of former Mr. Swiss buildings. [right Your Way Cafe photo thanks Robby Delius]

Reba's Embroidery Texarkana, AR	former Mr. Swiss Texarkana, TX

Reba's Embroidery occupies what looks like a former Mr. Swiss. This former Texarkana Mr. Swiss now houses the Potato Patch restaurant.

Gulfport Smokin' Joe's St. Petersburg, FL	Best Import Auto Sales St. Petersburg, FL

There are two former Mr. Swiss restaurants in St. Petersburg. As of 2009, the one on the left housed Gulfport Smokin' Joe's while the one on the right was used by Best Import Auto Sales.

Harrington's Drive-in Quincy, WA	former Mr. Swiss Santa Barbara, CA

Harrington's Drive-in was originally a Mr. Swiss. This former Santa Barbara Mr. Swiss was built in the late 1960s but it didn't last long. The building has been used by Bucks BBQ and Hamburger Habit. It has been home to Cliff's & Company Catering since 1983. [photo thanks Geoff Minger]

More Mr. Swiss: Gulfport, FL Kenneth City, FL Tampa, FL Lebanon, MO El Reno, OK Oklahoma City, OK Tulsa, OK Chester, VA

Chip's

Golden Point

Griff's

Whataburger

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