Seventy years ago, Harold and Helen Kite shared a vision of a roadside, quick-service burger stand. So, they moved from southeastern Missouri to Winter Haven, Florida and opened up the very first Burger Queen, cooking up broiled burgers and broasted chicken. In the early 1960s, they partnered with Kentucky’s George Clark and Mick Gannon to add restaurant lobbies and expand our menus and vision from Florida to Virginia all the way back across to Missouri, as well as taking our burger/chicken/fish concept in the late 1970s to four foreign countries, all from a central headquarters location in Louisville, Kentucky.
Through the decades, and through memories of Burger Queen, Queenie Bee, King Neptune’s, Huckleberry’s, Druther’s, Andy Dandytale, Fresher Cooker, and eventually via our Dairy Queen franchise locations – the Kite’s vision and work ethic survives with our company – still based in Louisville, Kentucky since the early 1960s.
For seven decades, and from that American fast-food dream hatched in southeastern Missouri in the mid-1950s, to that first Burger Queen in Winter Haven, Florida, to our headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky – we have been privileged to serve our communities.
Reaching a 70th anniversary is a significant milestone for any company; that makes us reflect on the many people who have supported us along the way. Your loyalty has been the cornerstone of our success, allowing us to operate for nearly a century. Thanks to the Kite, Strowmatt, Clark, Gannon, Seibert, Kull, Bonura, Murphy, Bandy, Hensley, and Gatewood families for your support and leadership over the decades. Thanks also to our former franchisees, partners, vendors, and our people; you’re the reason we’re still here – and why the Kite’s history and vision will be remembered.
We are honored to serve you and look forward to continuing this journey together. Here’s to another 70 years!
With gratitude,
Robert C. Gatewood III, President
Brian J. Easley, Vice President
Druther’s Systems, Inc.
http://www.burgerqueen.com
