Wimpy is a fast-food casual dining chain that was founded in the United States. It found its success internationally, mainly in the United Kingdom and South Africa, and has changed between being a table-service establishment and counter-service establishment throughout its history. The chain was founded in Bloomington, Indiana , by Edward Gold in as Wimpy Grills , with the chain in the United States hitting its peak with 26 locations in In , Gold signed a license with J.
Lyons and Co. By , there were only seven Wimpy locations in the United States, which all folded following Gold's death in that year. Despite the brand's demise domestically, the chain would peak at 1, international locations the following year. The company was sold to United Biscuits in , and then to Grand Metropolitan in Grand Metropolitan began to phase out the Wimpy Bar in the United Kingdom, rebranding many of them as Burger King which it also owned because Burger King had the greater brand recognition amongst consumers, and to aid market competition against McDonald's.
Following various buyouts, Wimpy was sold to Famous Brands in Famous Brands had operated the South African Wimpy franchise for a number of years, and the acquisition made it the parent company. As of June , the company remains headquartered in Johannesburg , South Africa, where it has outlets; [ 4 ] this is followed by the United Kingdom with 62 outlets. The Wimpy brand was established in by Edward Gold, when he opened his first location in Bloomington, Indiana , under the name Wimpy Grills.
Wellington Wimpy from the Popeye cartoons created by E. Gold did not open his first Chicago area location until two years later in , after opening units in five other Midwestern cities.
In , Gold sold a licence to J. Wimpy's International was based in Chicago and allowed the brand to operate Wimpy Grills in the rest of the world. The joint company eventually grew to 1, locations, with Gold later selling his share to Lyons prior to his death.
