Type of Food: American: Roast beef sandwiches, burgers and fried chicken
Interesting Fact:
The Roy Rogers name was used because it was felt Roy personified an honest, wholesome image, as well as the nostalgia invoked of the ol’ West’s reputation for good beef and “down home cooking.”
History:
Marriott International, Inc., founded the chain, licensed the name from Roy Rogers, and operated the restaurants from 1968 through 1990. The first location opened in 1968 in Falls Church, Virginia. In 1990, Marriott sold the chain to Hardee's, who proceeded to convert 220 locations to Hardee’s, selling the rest of the locations to MCDonalds and Wendy’s. By the end of the 1990’s just 13 Roy Rogers franchisees were in existence. Most were located along highways in the Northeast. In 2003 brothers Jim and Peter (Jr.) Plamondon announced their purchase of the Roy Rogers restaurant trademark and franchise system. An initiative began to revive the Roy Rogers brand. As of 2005, 55 restaurants are operating under the Roy Rogers Family Restaurants name.
