Discussion
Lord Marylebone said:
The story of Wimpy is actually quite interesting.
Started off in the USA like many burger restaurants, came over to the UK in the 50's.
Eventually got mostly wiped out in the UK and USA by McDonalds/Burger King etc, but for reasons unknown the brand thrived in South Africa, and they now have something like 550 restaurants over there now along with their headquarters.
I read a few years ago that Wimpy declared they would make a big return to the UK.
Are they all not Franchises? So is it essentially a South African company or still US?Started off in the USA like many burger restaurants, came over to the UK in the 50's.
Eventually got mostly wiped out in the UK and USA by McDonalds/Burger King etc, but for reasons unknown the brand thrived in South Africa, and they now have something like 550 restaurants over there now along with their headquarters.
I read a few years ago that Wimpy declared they would make a big return to the UK.
Last time I promised the wife a Wimpy, we got there and found a 2* hygiene rating on the door. We went elsewhere!
It's a shame, as we often popped into the Marlow branch when we lived in the area. But I see that has gone now. Maybe when we next visit her parents (could be a while!) we'll get to the Bourne End branch.
It's a shame, as we often popped into the Marlow branch when we lived in the area. But I see that has gone now. Maybe when we next visit her parents (could be a while!) we'll get to the Bourne End branch.
Melman Giraffe said:
TwigtheWonderkid said:
paulguitar said:
I think there could be several years between the menus.
We used to go to dinner at the local Berni Inn most Sundays when I was a kid. It was brilliant, and I sort of wish there was a bit of an updated version now. The menu was pure 70's of course, complete with prawn cocktail and coffee in a glass that looked like a Guinness.
And Black Forest Gateaux. We used to go to dinner at the local Berni Inn most Sundays when I was a kid. It was brilliant, and I sort of wish there was a bit of an updated version now. The menu was pure 70's of course, complete with prawn cocktail and coffee in a glass that looked like a Guinness.
paulguitar said:
Melman Giraffe said:
TwigtheWonderkid said:
paulguitar said:
I think there could be several years between the menus.
We used to go to dinner at the local Berni Inn most Sundays when I was a kid. It was brilliant, and I sort of wish there was a bit of an updated version now. The menu was pure 70's of course, complete with prawn cocktail and coffee in a glass that looked like a Guinness.
And Black Forest Gateaux. We used to go to dinner at the local Berni Inn most Sundays when I was a kid. It was brilliant, and I sort of wish there was a bit of an updated version now. The menu was pure 70's of course, complete with prawn cocktail and coffee in a glass that looked like a Guinness.
Melman Giraffe said:
Lord Marylebone said:
The story of Wimpy is actually quite interesting.
Started off in the USA like many burger restaurants, came over to the UK in the 50's.
Eventually got mostly wiped out in the UK and USA by McDonalds/Burger King etc, but for reasons unknown the brand thrived in South Africa, and they now have something like 550 restaurants over there now along with their headquarters.
I read a few years ago that Wimpy declared they would make a big return to the UK.
Are they all not Franchises? So is it essentially a South African company or still US?Started off in the USA like many burger restaurants, came over to the UK in the 50's.
Eventually got mostly wiped out in the UK and USA by McDonalds/Burger King etc, but for reasons unknown the brand thrived in South Africa, and they now have something like 550 restaurants over there now along with their headquarters.
I read a few years ago that Wimpy declared they would make a big return to the UK.
The Wimpy brand (and control of all the worldwide franchises) is now fully owned by 'Famous Brands' which is a South African company who own lots of restaurant brands, mostly in South Africa.
So essentially Wimpy is now a 100% South African brand, having been purchased from the USA in 2003.
Lord Marylebone said:
Melman Giraffe said:
Lord Marylebone said:
The story of Wimpy is actually quite interesting.
Started off in the USA like many burger restaurants, came over to the UK in the 50's.
Eventually got mostly wiped out in the UK and USA by McDonalds/Burger King etc, but for reasons unknown the brand thrived in South Africa, and they now have something like 550 restaurants over there now along with their headquarters.
I read a few years ago that Wimpy declared they would make a big return to the UK.
Are they all not Franchises? So is it essentially a South African company or still US?Started off in the USA like many burger restaurants, came over to the UK in the 50's.
Eventually got mostly wiped out in the UK and USA by McDonalds/Burger King etc, but for reasons unknown the brand thrived in South Africa, and they now have something like 550 restaurants over there now along with their headquarters.
I read a few years ago that Wimpy declared they would make a big return to the UK.
The Wimpy brand (and control of all the worldwide franchises) is now fully owned by 'Famous Brands' which is a South African company who own lots of restaurant brands, mostly in South Africa.
So essentially Wimpy is now a 100% South African brand, having been purchased from the USA in 2003.
what sauce would sir like for the weekend 
TwigtheWonderkid said:
I often refer to Nando's as KFC for people who have mastered cutlery. Maybe we could say the same for Wimpy / McDonalds?
I think that's probably a fair assessment!Reminds me of one night I was in my local pub having a drink. It's quite a nice 'gastropub' type place with great food, and the owner is good bloke but with a typical 'harsh' sense of humour as per many landlords.
A couple came in who had booked a meal, and as he was sitting them down, the landlord asked them where they were from, and they mentioned a part of town locally that wasn't particularly 'upmarket' shall we say, and when he came back with the basket of cutlery and napkins he said "Here's your knives and forks. I'll send the waitress over shortly to show you how to use them".
I nearly spat my pint out laughing.
I went to the wimpy in bexleyheath on monday. Qtr with cheese and chips. Very nice.
Family run place and always busy.
Go in there 3 or 4 times a year on a normal year!
My kids love it it there. They do other food like baked potatoes and mixed grills etc . Not just burgers.
Chap 2 tables away had a brown derby. And it looked tidy!
Family run place and always busy.
Go in there 3 or 4 times a year on a normal year!
My kids love it it there. They do other food like baked potatoes and mixed grills etc . Not just burgers.
Chap 2 tables away had a brown derby. And it looked tidy!
Your Dad said:
My last ever Wimpy visit was Peterborough, circa 1989 as a teenager. Not sure we took the bus all way from Kettering solely for a Wimpy, but I can't think why else we'd gone there.
There used to be 3 in Peterborough, one in Cathedral Square, one in Midgate (thats still there and run by the son now) and one in Bretton Centre. I thought there used to be one in Kettering a few years ago near a bowling alley ??Little Chef is another brand I miss.
paulguitar said:
TwigtheWonderkid said:
What a f
king rip off!! £5.85 for a Berni Inn mixed grill, when you can have a Wimpy International grill for 54p. No way is the Berni Inn grill over 10 times better.
I think there could be several years between the menus.king rip off!! £5.85 for a Berni Inn mixed grill, when you can have a Wimpy International grill for 54p. No way is the Berni Inn grill over 10 times better. Gassing Station | Food, Drink & Restaurants | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff