Wimpy Restaurants
Discussion
I have vague recollections of visiting Wimpy as a child, usually to get one of their "curly sausages" and chips.
It has suddenly occurred to me, at 01:30am on this fine morning, that the chain is still going and even has 88 restaurants in the UK. I think the last time I visited was about 10 years ago and was surprised that waiting staff actually came over to the table to take food orders (and that the whole experience was distinctly 1980s).
I've never heard anyone discuss this place, it makes me wonder how on earth it is run as a profitable business??
It has suddenly occurred to me, at 01:30am on this fine morning, that the chain is still going and even has 88 restaurants in the UK. I think the last time I visited was about 10 years ago and was surprised that waiting staff actually came over to the table to take food orders (and that the whole experience was distinctly 1980s).
I've never heard anyone discuss this place, it makes me wonder how on earth it is run as a profitable business??
Looking at Wikipedia the number of restaurants has been in decline for years so they are probably down to the few restaurants that make a modest income for the franchise holder due to lack of competition locally.
The small generic coffee shop in my local shopping mall has recently converted into a Wimpy branded restaurant, so I suspect their franchise fees are low.
The small generic coffee shop in my local shopping mall has recently converted into a Wimpy branded restaurant, so I suspect their franchise fees are low.
Wimpy is one of those chains that whenever I see one I think "Blimey, are they still going?"
Last time I looked, there was one in Basingstoke at the top end of the old part of the indoor shopping centre. Which rather puts lie to the suggestion that they can only exist where they have no competition as there is a McDonalds very close to it.
Last time I looked, there was one in Basingstoke at the top end of the old part of the indoor shopping centre. Which rather puts lie to the suggestion that they can only exist where they have no competition as there is a McDonalds very close to it.
hornetrider said:
There's one on Marlow High St. I popped in one lunchtime as I fancied a takeaway only to discover it was eat-in only.
Disappoint.
I popped into that one recently as I was in Marlow with the family, we got a bit peckish, and I hadn't been in a wimpeys for 20 years.Disappoint.
Food was OK, proper plates etc. Nothing special, just a slightly different take on the fast food chain (although food is cooked to order in this place so not really that fast!).
Sharted said:
dazco said:
They served me a burger with a bun made from brown bread.
Never been back since
The half-pounder.Never been back since
Bigger than it's rivals with a really nice burger sauce and really finely chopped onions.
It was my favourite despite the brown bun.
Skodasupercar said:
Food was OK, proper plates etc. Nothing special, just a slightly different take on the fast food chain (although food is cooked to order in this place so not really that fast!).
That was always the joke about Wimpy though - only the British could take the concept of "fast food" and make it slow. 
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