What Chain Eateries Originated Around You?

[Cindy's Mom]

What is Potbelly's like? One just opened up here a couple months ago.

in a word - OVERRATED.

Too expensive, not that good, (but way better than Subway) and lines for any Downtown Potbelly at lunch is about 15 minutes - I have better things to do on my lunch hour than wait for a mediocre sandwich. JMHO

 

[Gary M]

The man that started Papa John's Pizza is a graduate of Ball State University which is where I graduated from and is in my hometown of Muncie, IN. I believe the pizza chain started around Louisville, KY. Ponderosa Steak Houses were started in our area of Indiana by Dan Lasater (friend of President Clintons)

 

[Sandy51]

Shoney's


Sandy

 

[helenabear]

Wendy's was founded in the same area as I am currently living.

Not to far from us, Bob Evans was started. It seems to be growing to much of the NE, midwest and SE parts of US

 

[*Susan*]

I'm with Barkely (BTW: where are you in N. Ca?) I've been to the original Mary's many times and can remember her making her rounds into the other Pizza Shacks (I am from Petaluma). Also, I've had Pizza Pucks in Fairfield (where we live now)... I've only tried them once, but liked them. Didn't they originate in Vacaville?

I don't know if they have Max's Diners outside of SF and Sac, but they started in SF too...

 

[ahutton]

Schlotzsky's started here in Austin. The very first one is a few blocks from my office.

 

[Spoodleink]

Five Guy's

Best burgers ever

Right now they are just starting to expand up and down the east coast but I think they went from about 3 resturants in the area from when i first went to the original one 5 years ago to a about 100 that are new or opening soon.

 

[lucas]

Not fast food places, but as a New Orleanian, thought I would mention:

the 1st Ruth's Chris Steak house was in New Orleans, now they are all over the county.

And, Emeril's 1st restaurant was in New Orleans and now he has places in Las Vegas, Orlando, Atlanta, and Miami.

 

[RSoxFan]

Boston Market I guess that one is pretty obvious

That was started by my doctor's partner, back when it was Boston Chicken. It was good back then. I don't like it now since it went national.

 

[KathyTX]

Brinker International (the parent company of Chili's) is located here, and they seem to always be testing and opening new concept restuarants.

A few chains that have started in Dallas:

T.G.I Friday's
Chili's
Fuddruckers
Romano's Macaroni Grill
Cozymel's
On the Border
Corner Bakery

 

[JVL1018]

Ohhh, Farrell's! I loved that place! There was one at the mall when I was a kid and my Mom used to take us there.
The place is a Borders bookstore now. I wish it would come back!

I hope Bob Evans finally makes it out this way(and Red Robin and Sonic too!)


We still have TCBY here!

I think Benihanas and Fridays started in NYC, close by here.

 

[crazelion]

Krystals hamburger's start in Chattanooga

I think but I am not sure Big River Grille start here to. But I could be wrong.

 

[OK!]

I don't live there now, but I did...Sonny's BBQ originated in Gainesville. I have been to the original restaurant.

Mmmmmm....Sonny's....my family used to eat there at least once every trip we took to Florida to visit my aunt, who lived near Gainesville. We loved that place.

 

[Steffi]

Hooters started in the Tampa Bay area. And the first Beef O'Brady's isn't too far from me, but I'm not sure how big that chain is.

 

[Micca]

Pizza Hut started here. They have the original building preserved on the campus of Wichita State University. At one time they used to have some pretty darned good pizza.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

Maid-Rites

 

[pisco]

Chipotle started here in Denver. My wife and I used to go the the original location by The University of Denver when it first opened back in '94. They are up to something like 450 locations now. Great burritos.

 

[Amity 3]

Hooters started in the Tampa Bay area. And the first Beef O'Brady's isn't too far from me, but I'm not sure how big that chain is.

the original Hooter's is still open in Clearwater. Beef's is a very large chain now, we live about 10 minutes from the original. Bonefish Grill, Shells, and Outback Steakhouse all started in the Tampa area as well.

 

[barkley]

I'm with Barkely (BTW: where are you in N. Ca?) I've been to the original Mary's many times and can remember her making her rounds into the other Pizza Shacks (I am from Petaluma). Also, I've had Pizza Pucks in Fairfield (where we live now)... I've only tried them once, but liked them. Didn't they originate in Vacaville?

I don't know if they have Max's Diners outside of SF and Sac, but they started in SF too...

we're just down the road from you in dixon. and yup, pizza pucks started out at the vacaville outlets but now they will be franchising as well as selling them at theatres (brenden chain already carrys them). petaluma huh? when i commuted to sonoma state i remember passing by the chicken processing plant in petaluma every day!

 

[15minfromOGDL]

chalk up other Southern California creations...

Taco Bell
Del Taco
Baskin Robbins Ice Cream