History
It's All In The Name
The name Wimpy is believed to have come from Popeye’s friend J Wellington Wimpy who loved hamburgers as much as Popeye loved spinach.
2010 - Expanding


April, 2010 has arrived and we currently have sixteen 'New Look' restaurants in the UK. This number is constantly increasing with many more openings and revamping planned this year! For every re-opening Wimpy has a special launch day with different events and offers available to ensure our customers can help us celebrate a new opening.
'These are announced on our facebook pages...'
2008 - New Look
2007 - Famous Brands
Wimpy was purchased by Famous Brands of South Africa. After a long split Wimpy is now realigned across the miles.
2004 - 50 years

50 years of Wimpy Excellence
1998 - Awards
Wimpy became the first company to win the coveted Franchisor and Franchisee of the year awards in the same year.
1997 - Quorn
The First chain to offer a Quorn® based product on it’s menus.
1990 - Buy Out
The traditional Table Service units were acquired through a management buy out backed by 3i.
1989 - Grand Metropolitan
The business was sold to Grand Metropolitan and they began to convert the counter service units to Burger Kings.
1985 - Vegetarian
Wimpy was the first burger chain to offer a vegetable burger – The original and still the best Spicy Beanburger.
1977 - United Biscuits
The business was acquired by United Biscuits and 'counter service' restaurants began to open in response to the opening of McDonalds. Bakers SA Ltd bought the South African part of the company. The Wimpy empire had been split up - for now.
1970 - 1,000 restaurants
The business had expanded to over 1,000 restaurants in 23 countries.
1967 - Durban
The enjoyment started in Durban where South Africans could get their very first taste of a Wimpy burger in Murchie’s Passage.
1954 - The First
The first ‘Wimpy Bar’ opened at the Lyon’s Corner House in Coventry Street London. The bar was originally a specialist fast food section within the more traditional corner house restaurant. The popularity soon led to the establishment of separate Wimpy restaurants serving only hamburgers based meals.

