3 decades on the grill
Fuddruckers of Spartanburg is celebrating its 30th anniversary this month with a daylong celebration on Wednesday, Sept. 30.
The fast-casual restaurant located at 1509 John B. White Sr. Blvd. was opened in September 1985 by Upstate natives Allen and Lee Ann Johnston, franchise owners of The Butcher The Baker Management Co. Their company has grown to include eight Fuddruckers in three states (six in South Carolina with locations in Spartanburg, Greenville, Greer, Anderson, Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach, one in Matthews, N.C., and one in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.) along with six Bojangles’ franchises in the Upstate under the company Chix and Bix LLC.
After years of working in the restaurant business, the Johnstons met local businessman Jerry Richardson, the largest Hardees franchisee in the country (now founder and owner of the Carolina Panthers). Richardson recruited the Johnstons to work for his new family steakhouse concept called Quincy’s, Lee Ann as his administrative assistant and Allen as district manager, overseeing five Quincy’s restaurants in Spartanburg.
“We can’t imagine that it’s been 30 years already,” said Lee Ann Johnston. “We remember so many things about that special day when we first opened, and we’re still serving the world’s greatest hamburgers.”
Lee Ann Johnston credits their success to their employees and staff. “We’ve had amazing people along the way.”
At 30 years, the Johnstons – and the Spartanburg location – are the oldest Fuddruckers franchisee, said Lee Ann Johnston.
The Spartanburg location was recently renovated to include new furniture, new signage and a fresh look, said Lee Ann Johnston. “We offer fresh meat, fresh produce and hand-roll each bun every single day. It’s only fitting that we also keep our restaurants fresh.”
In honor of the 30th anniversary, special promotions will be offered at all Upstate Fuddruckers locations. The 30 Years of Celebration event will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at the Spartanburg location from 11 a.m.-8 p.m., with a special presentation at 1 p.m. The event will include day-of anniversary promotions as well as games, giveaways and kids activities. B93.7 radio will be on site with entertainment.
“We want to share the fun with everyone,” said Allen and Lee Ann Johnston. “Thirty years is a big deal, so we’re going all-out to celebrate. It only seems right, since we host so many celebrations and milestones at our restaurants. This business was built on community, and we want to share our success and gratitude with everyone.”
