The Burger Chef Podcast

On this episode, an update on our friend Paul Browning. Also, Darren's interview with The Murder Sheet Podcast is available now. Please listen to episode 66 of The Murder Sheet, titled “You Never Can Forget: The Voices.”In the Newsletter Nugget segment, we look at Burger Chef LicenScene Vol. 4, No. 3 from July 1976.Commercial of the Week: A 60 second radio spot featuring the “Open Wide America” slogan.Surprise of a Prize: A circa 1970 Seasons Greetings display featuring the Burger Chef mascot.

On this episode, we look at the 1976 National Meeting that took place at Disney World in Orlando, Florida as reported in the pages of Burger Chef LicenScene Vol. 4, No. 2 from May 1976.Commercial of the Week: From 1972, a commercial for the Funburger.Surprise of a Prize: A 1971 mini basketball for the Greenville Yellow Jackets issued by the Greenville, Michigan location.

On this episode, we start with the Newsletter Nugget segment and go back to September 1974.Commercial of the Week: From 1977, a commercial for the Mariner featuring the “More To Like” sloganSurprise of a Prize: A 1969 press photo of Frank Thomas, Jr. issued by General Foods announcing his appointment as chairman of Burger Chef Systems.

On this episode, part five of Darren's interview with Steve Bennett, the former owner of the Burger Chef Reliquary website. This is the final portion of the interview.Commercial of the Week: “A nickel and a dime.”Surprise of a Prize: A Burger Chef napkin dispenser circa 1973 from Luxrifold.

On this episode, part four of Darren's interview with Steve Bennett, the former owner of the Burger Chef Reliquary website.Commercial of the Week: King Kong glasses television ad from 1976 or 1977.Surprise of a Prize: The memorabilia of the week is the set of King Kong glasses.

On this episode, Darren looks back at the Speedway, Indiana Burger Chef murders, which took place on November 17, 1978. He talked about an interview he did in July with the hosts of The Murder Sheet, a podcast that did a miniseries about the Burger Chef murders called “You Never Can Forget.”Also, part three of Darren's interview with Steve Bennett, the former owner of the Burger Chef Reliquary website.Commercial of the Week: The Star Wars posters.Surprise of a Prize: The memorabilia of the week is an orange Burger Chef tray from the 1960s.This episode is dedicated to the memories of Jayne Friedt, Danny Davis, Mark Flemmonds and Ruth Ellen Shelton.If you have any information about the Speedway, Indiana Burger Chef murders, please call the Indiana State Police at 1-877-226-1026.

On this episode, part two of Darren's interview with Steve Bennett, the former owner of the Burger Chef Reliquary website.Also, in the newsletter nugget segment, we wrap up Burger Chef Briefs, Vol. 4, No. 4 from December 1972.Commercial of the Week: The Star Wars Funmeal trays.Surprise of a Prize: The memorabilia of the week is an ice pick and bottle/can opener from the Appleton, Wisconsin Burger Chef.

On this episode, part one of Darren's interview with Steve Bennett, the former owner of the Burger Chef Reliquary website.Also, in the newsletter nugget segment, part two of Burger Chef Briefs, Vol. 4, No. 4 from December 1972.Commercial of the Week: The Burger Chef NFL collectors glass series commercial from 1979. This particular spot aired in the Detroit broadcast market.Surprise of a Prize: The memorabilia of the week is a cardboard ceiling hanger from 1971 featuring a cartoon image of an owl that reads, “We'll Owlways Treat You Right.”

On this episode, Darren dives into the mailbag to talk about Burger Chef in Orlando, Florida; Quincy, Illinois; Traverse City, Michigan; Muskegon, Michigan; and Grand Rapids, Michigan.Also, in the newsletter nugget segment, part one of Burger Chef Briefs, Vol. 4, No. 4 from December 1972.Commercial of the Week: An early Burger Chef radio ad from 1958.Surprise of a Prize: The memorabilia of the week is a set of small Burger Chef soft drink cups with the flame and patty logo from Lily Corporation.

On this episode, Darren looks at Burger Chef in Paducah, Kentucky and the continuing legacy of its franchisee in that town.Also, in the newsletter nugget segment, part three of the deep dive into LicenScene, Vol. 5, No. 3 from May 1977.Plus, we'll take a look ahead at an upcoming interview with another memorabilia collector.Commercial of the Week: “People on the go, go Burger Chef.”Surprise of a Prize: A “Portrait of Profit” binder I recently purchased from the daughter of the Orlando, Florida franchisee.

On this episode, Darren dips into the mailbag to read an article about Burger Chef's presence in Monroe, Louisiana.Also, in the newsletter nugget segment, part two of the deep dive into LicenScene, Vol. 5, No. 3 from May 1977.Commercial of the Week: A radio ad for the Star Wars posters featuring Anthony Daniels, the voice of C3P0Surprise of a Prize: A collection of items from Raymond E. Lester, President of Burger Chef of Georgia.

On this episode, Darren opens the mailbag to talk about the Burger Chef location inKeokuk, Iowa.Also, in the newsletter nugget segment, Darren starts a deep dive into LicenScene, Vol. 5, No. 3 from May 1977.Commercial of the Week: Darren calls it the “nobody leaves hungry” commercial from the early 1970s featuring a country/folksy version of “Hello, Hello”.Surprise of a Prize: A 35mm color film slide from 1958 featuring one of the first twenty Burger Chef locations.

On this episode, Darren opens the mailbag to talk about a Sunrise Sandwich radio spot from 1982.Also, in the newsletter nugget segment, Darren continues looking at LicenScene, Vol. 2, No. 5 from December 1974.Commercial of the Week: A commercial with a live read from WABC AM 770 in New York City from 1970 featuring Ron Lundy.Surprise of a Prize: An unusual Burger Chef and Jeff coffee cup from the early 1970s.

On this episode, Darren dives into the mailbag with a follow up on the Cadillac, Michigan location.Also, Darren plays audio of Monster Fun Record #6, Cackleburger Casts A Spell.Plus, in the newsletter nugget segment, Darren looks at LicenScene, Vol. 2, No. 5 from December 1974.Commercial of the Week: A short version of the "Nickel and a Dime" radio spot.Surprise of a Prize: McDonald's announces the end of plastic Happy Meal toys in favor of cardboard pieces kids can assemble into figures. That sure sounds like a Funmeal tray to me.

On this episode, Darren dips into the mailbag to talk about Burger Chef in Cadillac, Michigan and Hickory, North Carolina.Also, we play audio from Burger Chef & Jeff's Monster Fun Record #5, "Transylvania's Big Game.”Plus, we look at the July 1976 edition of Burger Chef LicenScene in the newsletter nugget segment.Commercial of the Week: Indianapolis 500 winner Johnny Rutherford appears in a 1978 commercial that aired in the Indianapolis area.Surprise of a Prize/Memorabilia of the Week: The Kooky Kar Kutouts from 1976 and an unidentified Surprise of a Prize still in the wrapper.

On this episode, part three of Darren's deep dive into 1978, the year of change for Burger Chef Systems, Inc. In this final installment, topics include the testing of a new service concept in Detroit, advertising for fiscal year 1979, and an explanation of why Burger Chef Briefs and LicenScene were merged into Chef's Front Page.Also, we play audio from Burger Chef & Jeff's Monster Fun Record #4, "Crankenburger, the Super Salesman.”Commercial of the Week: Open Wide America television ad for the Super Shef featuring actor Jamie Cromwell.Surprise of a Prize/Memorabilia of the Week: Darren has found a Lawson industrial garbage can!

On this episode, part two of Darren's deep dive into 1978, the year of change for Burger Chef Systems, Inc. Topics include the WIII building and exterior, new equipment including a new combined Works and Salad Bar, new store interiors, and a new improved salad.Also, we play audio from Burger Chef & Jeff's Monster Fun Record #3, "Fangburger's Haunted Hotel." And Darren dips into the mailbag.Commercial of the Week: Open Wide America television ad for the new improved Salad Bar.Surprise of a Prize/Memorabilia of the Week: A Burger Chef uniform from 1978 and a uniform order form and brochure from Barco Uniforms dated 1983.

This week, Darren starts a deep dive into 1978, which was a year of many changes for the chain. Part one: the new chef's hat logo is introduced.Also, we play audio from Burger Chef & Jeff's Monster Fun Record #2, "Wolfburger's Problem." And Darren talks a little about Phil Korn, who succeeded Frank P. Thomas, Jr. as President of Burger Chef Systems, Inc.Commercial Of The Week: The disco version of the "Open Wide America" radio ad from 1978.Surprise Of A Prize/Memorabilia Of The Week: Darren is searching for a Lawson galvanized steel industrial trashcan.

This week, Darren dives into the mailbag.In the Newsletter Nugget segment, Darren looks back at Burger Chef News from the summer of 1964.Also, we play audio from Burger Chef & Jeff's Monster Fun Record #1, "The Ghost of Grizzly Mountain."Commercial Of The Week: The country version of the "Open Wide America" radio ad from 1978.Surprise Of A Prize/Memorabilia Of The Week: A rare Marion County, Ohio Sesquicentennial glass from 1972 featuring the flame and patty logo, an even rarer New Orleans Saints glass from the 1979 NFL collectors series, a photo of the 1977-8 Indiana State University basketball team featuring NBA legend Larry Bird that was issued by the Fort Wayne, Indiana Burger Chef franchisee, and a bowling league shirt from a member of the Canfield, Ohio Burger Chef team.

On this episode: Darren shares audio from one of the Burger Chef & Jeff Monster Fun Records. This week, Cackleburger Casts A Spell.Newsletter nugget: Plenty of articles from Burger Chef Briefs, Vol. 1, No. 1, July 1969.Commercial Of The Week: The "soul" version of the Open Wide America radio ad from 1978.Surprise Of A Prize: Memorabilia Of The Week is a Burger Chef "Please Keep It Tidy" vinyl decal manufactured by Chicago Decal Company. It's a red and yellow decal, which dates it to circa 1969 or 1970.

On this episode, part four of Darren's interview with former Area Manager Ken Coleman. Ken talked about what he's done since leaving Burger Chef and Hardee's and what he feels is the legacy of Burger Chef.Newsletter Nugget: Burger Chef Burger Briefs, Vol. 2, No. 20, April 1969. Burger Chef President Frank Thomas, Jr. told a group of employees from Burger Chef, Sani Serv, and Rix Roast Beef that he hopes to have 2,500 Burger Chef locations open by 1975.Commercial Of The Week: Wereburger the Werewolf is featured in a commercial for the Magic Funmeal tray.Surprise Of A Prize/Memorabilia Of The Week: A 1965 photo of General Equipment (Sani Serv) Corporation's company dinner and a 1963 photo of Frank Thomas, Jr. presenting a "gold card" for free Burger Chef for life to 1963 Miss America Jacqueline Mayer outside the Sandusky, Ohio location.

This week, part 3 of Darren's interview with Ken Coleman. Ken discussed some of his experiences that occurred with the Hardee's buyout of Burger Chef Systems, Inc.Also, it's time to dig into the electronic mailbag.Darren discussed a new podcast for listeners to check out. It's called The Murder Sheet, and the first ten episodes are devoted to the Burger Chef murders that took place in Speedway, Indiana in November 1978. You can listen to The Murder Sheet at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/murder-sheet/id1538289354.Darren is also looking for a complete scan of Burger Chef Briefs, Vol. 5, No. 9 from November 1973. If you have that issue of Burger Chef Briefs, please contact Darren right away.Commercial of the Week: Burger Chef's new potato Computator.Surprise of a Prize/Memorabilia of the Week: The Zany Poster series from 1977 and a "Chef's Chicken by Burger Chef" button from the 1960s or early 1970s.

This week, part two of Darren's interview with Ken Coleman. Ken worked for Burger Chef for 20 years and witnessed the changes to the menu.Also, Darren continued his look back at the Grand Rapids, Michigan area Burger Chef locations, including a Grand Rapids Press article from June 1959 announcing the opening of Burger Chef's first location in Grand Rapids.Commercial of the Week: "Feel Like a Burger Chef - New Sign"

This week, part one of Darren's interview with Ken Coleman. Ken worked for Burger Chef in St. Louis, Missouri for 20 years and was an area manager for the chain. Ken talked about starting at store #105 peeling potatoes, writing the hostess manual for the Works Bar & Salad Bar, and making the Big Shef sauce at the restaurant by hand.Also, part one of Darren's brief look at the Grand Rapids, Michigan area locations.Commercial of the Week: Nickel and a dime.Surprise of a Prize/Memorabilia of the Week: Burger Chef Unlimited "I've Had It My Way" fold over tab button.

This week, part 2 of Darren's interview with Dick Chodkowski, former Art Director at Ogilvy & Mather and the illustrator of the Funmeal trays. Dick talks more about the Funmeal concept, other projects after Burger Chef, and what he's doing now.Newsletter Nugget: Darren looks at Burger Chef LicenScene from August 1973, featuring a group of special education students touring the Highland, Indiana store, the introduction of SSR (strip speed racer) car toys, and the pending rollout of the Funmeal.Commercial of the Week: From 1979, the Burger Chef NFL collector glass series.Surprise of a Prize/Memorabilia of the Week: The Burger Chef NFL collector glasses.

On this episode, part one of Darren's interview with Dick Chodkowski. Dick was the illustrator of the Funmeal trays and was the art director for Burger Chef's advertising agency Ogilvy & Mather.Newsletter Nugget: Burger Chef Burger Briefs from December 1967, the acquisition of Jax Roast Beef, which later became Rax Roast Beef.Commercial of the Week: Burger Chef and Jeff introduce the Funburger.Memorabilia of the Week/Surprise of a Prize: The Statue of Liberty Funmeal tray from the Star Spangled Series, 1976.

This week, the final portion of Darren's interview with Paul Browning, former owner of The Unofficial Burger Chef Home Page.Also, Darren reads your comments on air.Commercial of the Week: 1960's radio commercial "Let's All Go To Burger Chef."Newsletter Nugget: "Burger Chef Tempo" from May 1970, "Mission Possible" and the renaming of the Jumbo Shef to the Super Shef.Surprise of a Prize: Instructions on how to properly assemble a Super Shef.

This week, Darren plays the audio of "The Burger Chef Success Story", which was a record narrated by founder Frank P. Thomas, Jr. and issued by General Foods. The record was given to potential franchisees to sell them on the idea of opening their own Burger Chef restaurant. We apologize for the audio quality as it was recorded in mono.Also, part 4 of Darren's interview with Paul Browning, the former owner of The Unofficial Burger Chef Home Page.Commercial of the Week: Burger Chef presents The Family Circus.Surprise of a Prize: This week's memorabilia items are co-promotions with The Family Circus, including pin-back buttons, a 1968 comic book, and a Burger Chef/The Family Circus calendar from 1971.

This week, Darren reads an article from 1979 about Burger Chef's lawsuit against McDonald's. Burger Chef claimed trademark infringement when McDonald's introduced the "Happy Meal" to the St. Louis market to compete against the Funmeal.Also, part three of Darren's interview with Paul Browning, former owner of The Unofficial Burger Chef Home Page. Paul talks about his battle with stage 4 cancer, his hot dog business in Clarksville, Tennessee, and his interactions with Burger Chef co-founder Frank Thomas, Jr.Darren has a preview of "The Burger Chef Story", a record produced in the 1960's by General Foods for prospective Burger Chef franchisees that's narrated by Frank Thomas, Jr.Commercial of the Week: The Chicken Club sandwich from April 1981.Surprise of a Prize: This week's memorabilia piece is a set of platinum crystal executive rocks glasses that were given to Burger Chef Systems, Inc. employees and franchisees.

On this episode, part two of Darren's interview with Paul Browning, the former owner of The Unofficial Burger Chef Home Page. Paul talked about his interactions with Hardee's regarding bringing back the Big Shef sandwich, how he talked them out of bringing back The Mariner platter, and how he was directly responsible for Hardee's revival by disclosing the secrets of Burger Chef's "Thickburger." Yes, Burger Chef had it first! Paul also talked about his trips to The Chef in Cleveland, Tennessee and Pleaser's in Cookeville, Tennessee, which used to be the last operating Burger Chef.Also, Darren read a couple of articles from the August 1968 "Burger Chef Burger Briefs" newsletter about co-founder Bob Wildman, Sr. stepping down as executive vice-president and who would fulfill his duties.Commercial of the week: The all new Super Shef with the thicker meat patty.Memorabilia item of the week: A very rare frisbee from Burger Chef Canada.

On this episode, part one of my interview with Paul Browning, the former owner of The Unofficial Burger Chef Home Page, the first fan page dedicated to Burger Chef. We talk about his connections to Burger Chef as a kid, why he started the website, and what memorabilia he would like in his collection that he doesn't have yet.Also, Darren clears up a couple of discrepancies made during an episode of The History Channel's program "The Food That Built America."Commercial Of The Week: one of the first commercials to use the song "Hello Hello" by Sopwith Camel.Menu item of the week/Surprise of a Prize: The recipe for the Big Shef secret sauce.

This is the debut episode of The Burger Chef Podcast. On this episode, host Darren Gibson explains why he's doing a podcast about Burger Chef, his love for everything Burger Chef, and some of the segments you'll hear on future episodes. Plus, a preview of an interview Darren recently conducted with Paul Browning, the founder and former owner of The Unofficial Burger Chef Home Page, the first website dedicated to the history of Burger Chef. Also, a preview of an interview with Dick Chodkowski, former art director for Burger Chef's advertising agency Ogilvy & Mather. Dick was the illustrator of the Funmeal trays.Commercial of the week: Former "The Brady Bunch" star Eve Plumb (Jan Brady) stars in a commercial about the Works Bar.Menu item of the week: How to assemble the Big Shef sandwich.