Seattle – After a phenomenal customer response to an online poll, Dick’s Drive-In Restaurants announced today plans to focus their search for a new restaurant location within a 20 mile area north of the original Dick’s in Wallingford. After almost 3 weeks of voting, the north region, including Shoreline, Mountlake Terrace, Lynnwood, Edmonds, and South Everett scored highest with 53,810 votes, or 46 percent of the 115,524 votes cast. South captured 28 percent, (32,180 votes), and East received 26 percent (30,534 votes). The online poll closed at 10:00 p.m. on Sun., Sept. 19.

“This is an historic time for our family’s small business,” says Jim Spady, Vice President of Dick’s Drive-Ins and son of co-founder and namesake, Dick Spady. “The outpouring of support has been overwhelming and humbling. North received the most votes, and that is where we will now focus our efforts.” Spady added, “We want those who voted South and East to know that we heard their voices also. If the new northern Dick’s is a success, the next two Dick’s Drive-Ins will be built in the South and East regions.

What happens now? “If everything goes smoothly with selecting a new site, securing the building permits and constructing the new restaurant, then we hope to open the new Dick’s drive-in late in 2011 or early in 2012,” Spady says.

In addition to the strong customer web poll preference to build north, the top video contest winners all pitched northern locations in their 20-second spots.

First place: “The Spoof.” A local take on the “What can Brown do for you?” ad with the whiteboard demonstration. We loved the graphics and unexpected twists. Who knew that a single Dick’s Drive-In could save the planet and bring back the unicorn? Score one for Everett.

Second place: “The Action Film.” What would a burger commercial be without the guys blowing up the hood? Score one for the action flick and for Lynnwood.

Third place tie: “Black Humor.” The wilted boutoniere, the unrequited love for Peter Frampton was a 70’s flashback we would prefer to forget. It’s right up there with polyester suites and Gremlins. Score one for Edmonds.
And; “Dick’s Rapper Chicks.” Score another for the hood – Edmonds.

The original Dick’s Drive-In opened in 1954. The new Dick’s drive-in will be the first built in 36 years and will maintain the original restaurant’s iconic 1950’s look and architecture.

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Website: http://dicksdrivein.com