Griff's Hamburgers
American fast food chain
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Griff's Hamburgers, or Griff's Burger Bar, is a regional fast food chain founded in 1960 by Griff's of America, Inc. of Kansas City, Missouri, United States and opened their first location in Wichita, Kansas.[1] At one time, they had locations nationwide with the majority in the South near highway exits.[2]
Griff's was named for the founder, HJ Griffith.[3]
The restaurant buildings were of a patented[4] A-frame design,[2] produced by Valentine Diner[5] of Wichita, Kansas. Later restaurants sported more conventional architecture. A bright yellow sign read HAMBURGERS in big block capitals.[6] The restaurants offered both drive-thrus and patio dining.[6] Most of the stores were located in high traffic locations, such as near a highway off-ramp or along Route 66.[6] Some Griff's locations have been torn down and rebuilt for a more modern appearance.[7]
Cory Griffin, the great-grandson of founder Harold J. Griffith, relocated the Griff's corporate headquarters to Dallas, Texas. Stores remain open in Bossier City, Ruston and Shreveport, Louisiana; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Dallas, Fort Worth, Haltom City, Garland, Irving, Mesquite, and San Antonio, Texas.[2] A location in Sedalia, Missouri closed in late 2011, and locations in Colorado closed in 2015.[3][8] The Albuquerque location closed in July 2023 due to safety concerns.[9] Shortly after, the building was demolished.[10]
The restaurant chain was featured in multiple installments of the Zippy the Pinhead comic strip; on November 15, 2004,[11] February 10, 2005, [12] December 19, 2006,[13] September 2, 2007,[14] and February 3, 2025.[15]