Past Press Releases
Contact: Fawn Spady
Wed., January 28, 2009 206-295-6505
Dick’s Drive-Ins Turns 55 as Seattle’s Oldest Fast-Food Restaurant
55th Anniversary week includes 10 cent Cokes, 2-for-1 burgers, a free concert,
Dick’s new website and announcement of contest winners
Seattle – Dick’s Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. today marked 55 years as Seattle’s oldest, continuously operating burger joint and over a half-century of memories as a homegrown cultural institution. The week long celebration includes the old and the new, with 10 cent Cokes – the 1954 price -- a free concert by Beatles tribute band, The Nowhere Men, classic cars from the 1950s, and the unveiling of Dick’s new website and anniversary poster design winners.
The first Dick’s Drive-In opened on Jan. 28th, 1954 on NE 45th Street in Wallingford. Asked about his favorite memories from 1954, president and co-founder, Dick Spady, who turned 85 in October, recalled how great it was to launch a successful business after being repeatedly told by local bankers that he couldn't possibly make a profit selling 19 cent burgers because there were restaurants all over the city selling burgers for 30 cents and losing money.
Known for the Dick’s Devotees – their loyal and sometimes fanatical customers -- Dick’s is also known for paying its employees the highest starting wages in Seattle for fast-food restaurants. “We believe that a successful business requires great employees,” Spady says, “and you can’t recruit and retain great employees unless you treat them right.”
In addition to high wages, Dick’s pays 100% of its employees’ health insurance premiums, plus up to $18,000 in college scholarships after six months of service. Both benefits are also available to part-time employees as long as they work at least 24 hours per week.
“Burgers, fries, and shakes are an American classic,” says Spady, “so when I hear people say that Dick’s is a part of the family, we know that we’re truly part of the community. It’s the best kind of praise we could hope for. People come back because Dick’s remains an island of continuity in a sea of change.”
Spady admits some things do change, and while Dick’s still slices real potatoes for their fries and hand-dips their shakes, Dick’s has updated its website as part of their 55th Anniversary celebration. Fawn Spady, Dick’s spokeswoman, calls it the “updated retro look,” and encourages people to check out the 55th Anniversary events and “walk down memory lane” by accessing the memory books at www.dicksdrivein.com/memories
Poster design winner, Greg Swanson, a Boeing retiree, won the first-ever Dick’s anniversary poster design contest with an “other worldly” entry. Swanson’s retro interpretation of a flying saucer getting some “out of this world” take-out food by stealing an entire Dick’s Restaurant with a tractor beam, was a hit with the judges.
“Swanson’s design has everything we were looking for in the art originality and humor,” says Fawn Spady. “It was a fun and original interpretation on our theme -- Delicious Memories Since 1954.”
Swanson’s design will be featured as a limited edition poster and T-shirt available on Dick’s website. The kids’ design winner will be featured on take-out bags later in the year. Information on the winners, posters, and T-shirts are available at www.dicksdrivein.com /spotlight_on_winners
Today’s anniversary celebration also features a classic car show highlighting cars from area clubs including: Rainier Classic Chevy Club, NorthWest Chevy Car Club, Puget Sound Club, and Lynnwood Legends Car Club.
1955 Chevrolet Hardtop, owner Darryl & Bert Faille
1957 Chevrolet Hardtop, owner Bob Jennings
1950 Chevrolet Convertible
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air, owner Larry Beach, Legends Car Club
1955 Chevrolet Pick-up Truck, owner David White
Car owner David White recalls fond memories of driving his 1957 convertible to Dick’s for the “6 burgers for a buck” special and Bert Faille tells how she loudly turned 18 at Dick’s many years ago.
The finale for Dick’s 55th Anniversary week will be a free concert by Seattle’s premiere Beatles tribute band, The Nowhere Men, on Fri., Jan. 30, 7:00 p.m. at the Dick’s restaurant at 500 Queen Anne Avenue North (near Key Arena).
Bobby socks and poodle skirts are welcome, but not required.
Media contact:
Carrie Shaw
VIE Communication
