The Burger Chef Podcast

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.