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HomeRestaurants and DiningBurger Chef

Burger Chef - Various MI

Address: Various

City: Various

State: MI

Zip: Various

County: Various

Number of visits to this page: 6339

Disclaimer:

Please note that location entries may feature older photos or post card views that may not represent the current appearance, features, addresses, phone numbers, or contact names of the attraction. This site is intended to be a historical as well as current record of various attractions but it is not always possible to have up-to-date information due to the vast number of locations featured here. We ask you consult the propietor for current information.

General Information:

Personal recollection: I added this entry as the Farmington location although there were hundreds of Burger Chef's all over. I will use this page to document the Michigan locations. I loved Burger Chef and the Farmington location was a hangout of mine when I was young. The "works bar" was a fantastic concept. You could get a couple of small burgers cheap then dress them up with tons of stuff like lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, mustard, ketchup, etc yourself. I remember when they converted most of them to Hardees which in my opinion was far inferior. That eventually went under too.

Cactus Bob master listing of Michigan Burger Chefs

From Wikipedia

Burger Chef was an American fast-food restaurant chain. It began operating in 1954 in Indianapolis, Indiana, expanded throughout the United States, and at its peak in 1973 had 1,050 locations, including some in Canada. The chain featured several signature items, such as the Big Shef and Super Shef hamburgers.

In 1982, the General Foods Corporation, owners of the Burger Chef trademark and name, divested itself of the restaurant chain, gradually selling to the owners of Hardee's. The final restaurant to carry the Burger Chef name closed in 1996.

In 1954, Frank and Donald Thomas patented the flame broiler in their parent company General Equipment Corporation and started their restaurant in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 1957, they opened their first Burger Chef. Burger Chef advertisement (1966).

Burger Chef spread across the United States, following a strategy of opening outlets in smaller towns.

By 1972, its number of locations (1,200) was surpassed only by McDonald's (1,600). They offered a double burger, called the Big Shef, and later the quarter-pound (113 gram) hamburger, Super Shef. Subsequently, they added the Works Bar, where customers added their own toppings to hamburgers.

In 1968, General Foods Corporation purchased the chain and continued its rapid expansion. At the time of the purchase by General Foods, Burger Chef had 600 locations in 39 states.

By 1969, international expansion was underway with General Foods building ten Burger Chef outlets in Australia. The expansion ended in 1975 with a US$1.3 million loss (equivalent to $6.25 million in 2020). It was stated that Australians disliked the limited burger based menu as compared to a Milk Bar. The chain had two mascots: Burger Chef (voiced by Paul Winchell) and Jeff (the chef's juvenile sidekick). Burger Chef sign in Albuquerque, New Mexico (1979).

In the early 1970s, the chain introduced the Funburger and the Funmeal, with packaging that included stories about Burger Chef and Jeff's adventures and friends (including the magician Burgerini, vampire Count Fangburger, talking ape Burgerilla, and Cackleburger the witch), with riddles, puzzles, and small toys. When McDonald's introduced their Happy Meal in 1979, the chain sued, but ultimately lost.

In 1982, General Foods sold Burger Chef to the Canadian company Imasco, which also owned Hardee's, for US$44 million (equivalent to $118 million in 2020). Imasco converted many locations to Hardee's restaurants and let franchises and locations near existing Hardee's locations convert to other brands. Remaining restaurants that did not convert to Hardee's or new names and branding simply closed.

Hardee's brought back the Big Shef hamburger for a limited time in 2001, 2007, and 2014 at some Midwestern locations.

Here is a listing Bobby Peacock put together a while back:

CITY	ADDRESS	NOTES
Adrian	930 S. Main St.	Became Arthur Treacher's before 1976; closed and became KFC ca. mid-1980s
Albion	217 E. Michigan Ave.	Later Little Caesars, closed 2001, became Biggby Coffee January 2013
Alma	310 Pine Ave.	Later EZ Tan, now Pine Avenue Drop-In Center
Ann Arbor	175 N. Maple Rd.	Became Hardee's 1983, closed 1987, became Golden Chef 1988.Golden Chef burned down 2006; site was to have become Tim Hortons 2011, LA Fitness built on site 2019
Ann Arbor	3325 Washtenaw Ave.	Opened after 1976 in former Mister S Restaurant; later Hardee's until 1987.Later Stucchi's until after 1996, then Boston Market until 2008; became McDonald's January 2009.
Auburn Hills	951 S. Opdyke Rd.	Later Hardee's until early 1990s?, then Legends Coney Island, then Albert's Family Dining, now Luigi's
Battle Creek	619 North Ave.	Closed 1985, was to be converted to Hardee's but became Arby's instead
Battle Creek	1101 W. Columbia Ave.	Opened ca. 1967, closed by 1976, became Battle Creek Dodge 1978.Later Playcation Pool & Patio (1982 listing), then Friends & Co. (1986, 1990 listings), then Copper Chimney.Torn down 2016 for Biggby Coffee and Michigan Hearing.
Bay City	4129 Euclid Ave.	Later Hardee's until early 1990s, now Wanigas Credit Union
Benton Harbor	413 Riverview Dr.	Later Hardee's until December 1988, then Henry's.Later Riverview Burger & Wings, then Big Al's, then Cena's (2000), then Riverview Fish Hut, now vacant.
Benton Harbor	2025 Pipestone Rd.	Later Hardee's until ca. 2008, now vacant; was supposed to become Starbucks ca. 2016 but did not.
Berkley	1833 Coolidge Hwy.	Originally Peppy's Hamburgers. Later Hardee's, which moved to Hazel Park ca. 2006, then Arnie's.Torn down ca. 2007 for Fifth Third Bank which is now MSU Federal Credit Union
Big Rapids	223 N. Michigan Ave.	Later Rodee's, then a Chinese restaurant, then Dawn Donuts, then Dunkin' Donuts, now Bernie's Place.
Burton	G-4035 E. Court St.	Moved to Belsay Rd. before 1979, later Jomac's Sports World (1980 listing), then Illusions Salon, torn down early 1990s? for Aaron's Rental
Cadillac	505 N. Mitchell St.	Now House of Hunan
Charlotte	354 S. Cochran Ave.	Later Hardee's, then Formu-3 Weight Loss (1991 listing), then a beauty salon, then H&R Block, now Central Pharmacy
Clawson	309 N. Main St.	Originally Peppy's Hamburgers. Later Hardee's, then Zorba's, now Chutney's
Coldwater	432 E. Chicago Rd.	Now Coldwater Garden Family Restaurant
Dearborn	2450 S. Telegraph Rd.	Likely moved to 5822 Telegraph Rd. in Taylor; later Arthur Treacher's, now Bangkok 96
Detroit	6221 Grand River Ave.	Originally Peppy's Hamburgers. Later Hardee's (1988), then Steve's Bar-B-Q (1992 listing), then Wok Express, now vacant
Detroit	735 Griswold St.(Security Trust Building)	Opened 1980; later Hardee's, now Anytime Fitness
Escanaba	606 N. Lincoln Rd.	Became Hardee's 1983
Essexville	1536 Center Ave.	Later Hardee's until 1987, now Bay Area Regional Dialysis Center
Farmington	33200 Grand River Ave.	Became Dimitri Brothers before 1987; closed ca. 2010?, now Los Tres Amigos
Farmington Hills	33340 W. 12 Mile Rd.	Later Hardee's until 1997, now Tim Hortons
Ferndale	22230 Woodward Ave.	Later Hardee's until 1997, now Tim Hortons
Flint	1252 N. Ballenger Hwy.	Closed ca. 1978, later Gregory's (1980 listing), became Coty's Restaurant before 1996
Flint	3116 W. Pierson Rd.	Moved to 4083, later Dort Federal Credit Union, now Five-Fold Ministry
Flint	4083 W. Pierson Rd.	Became Hardee's from ca. 1983-ca. 1997, now Rightway Auto
Flint	Genesee Valley Center	Opened after 1978, later Hardee's until early 1990s?, then Aladdin's Castle, now American Fun Center
Flint	519 S. Dort Hwy.	Likely relocated to Court St. in Burton.Became Giant Sandwich before 1975; later Claudeen's BBQ (1979), then Mooney & Kucharski Auto (1983), then Active Auto Sales (1988).Became YaYa's Chicken ca. 1990.
Grand Haven	444 N. Beacon Blvd.	Later a Med 1 medical center, torn down for parking lot
Grand Rapids	1620 44th Ave. SE	Now Kent County Health Department
Grand Rapids	3261 S. Division Ave.	Now Wyoming Outlet Store
Grand Rapids	3250 Plainfield Ave. NE	Closed ca. 1976, torn down for Doyle's car wash
Grand Rapids	340 Fuller Ave. NE	Torn down for a car wash, sign frame remains
Greenville	500 N. Lafayette St.	Opened 1971, became Rodee's ca. 1983; later Hi-Delite, then Excelsior Games & Comics, then Pro Outfitters, now Vaping Sensations
Grosse Pointe	18800 Mack Ave.	Later Hardee's until 1997, now Wendy's
Harper Woods	19353 Vernier Rd.	Later Hardee's until 1997, now Tim Hortons
Hastings	911 W. State St.	Later Rodee's, then Rax, became Arby's 1989; closed 2008, torn down for O'Reilly Auto Parts
Hazel Park	23240 John R. Rd.	Became Hardee's 1983, then Burger King 1997; Burger King closed 2004 and reverted to Hardee's.
Hillsdale	209 W. Carleton Rd.	Later Burger King, torn down for a strip
Holland	855 S. Washington Ave.	Later Muzzy's; closed 1996, torn down for Chemical Bank
Inkster	172 S. Inkster Rd.	Later Hardee's until ca. 1997, torn down for Walgreens which is 120.
Ionia	422 S. Dexter Ave.	Became Rodee's ca. 1983, now Family Video
Iron Mountain	317 N. Stephenson Ave.	Became Hardee's 1983
Ironwood	325 E. Cloverland Dr.	Became Hardee's 1983, closed ca. 2007, torn down for O'Reilly Auto Parts
Jackson	3100 E. Michigan Ave.	Opened in former Checker Sandwich Shop, kept Burger Chef name after chain was sold; torn down late 1980s? for Perry Drugs (now Rite Aid)
Jackson	800 S. Brown St.	Later Jan's, now Eye Services Optical Goods
Jackson	1500 N. West St.	Became Hardee's 1983, closed early 1990s?, became Fazoli's 1995
Jackson	1254 E. McDevitt Ave.	Became Hardee's 1983, closed and became Burger King 1997
Kalamazoo	930 Douglas Ave.	Torn down ca. 1981, site vacant
Kalamazoo	2105 Lake St.	Later Hardee's until ca. 1987, now Julianna's
Kalamazoo	4403 W. Main St.	Later Hardee's, then Arby's (1990s), now Qdoba
Kalamazoo	606 Riverview Dr.	Later Thirteen and One Half (1985 listing), torn down for AutoZone
Lansing	4219 W. Saginaw Hwy.	Became Arby's ca. 1976
Lansing	6031 S. Cedar St.	Became Arby's ca. 1976
Lansing	622 N. Homer St.	Closed 1978, later First Federal Bank (1981, 1987 listings), became Arby's ca. 1991
Lansing	909 W. Holmes Rd.	Later House of Waffles, became Arby's August 1976; Arby's moved to 3229 S. Logan St. (now Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.) June 1979.Later 4 M's (1980 listing), then Westside Deli (1985 listing); Westside Deli burned down 1992.Site became Spad's Pizza by 1993, Rally's 1996, Applause Catering by 2000.Torn down ca. 2003 for Family Dollar.
Lansing	2316 N. East St.	Torn down for church parking lot
Lincoln Park	4063 Fort St.	Later Dr. Golden's Dental (1983 listing), then Donut Palace, torn down mid-1990s? for Burger King
Lincoln Park	3778 Dix Hwy.	Relocated 1970s? to 1817, torn down for doctor's office
Lincoln Park	1817 Dix Hwy.	Later Hardee's until 1997, then Leon's, now Charlie's
Livonia	27526 Grand River Ave.	Later Hardee's until 1997, now Wendy's
Livonia	31150 5 Mile Rd.	Later Hardee's until 1997, now Wendy's
Livonia	34110 Plymouth Rd.	Later Hardee's, then Legacy Restaurant, then Grecian Garden, then Jay and A, now Black Label Tavern
Ludington	5816 W. US-10	Later Randy's (early 1990s), then Catholic Charities until 2012, now vacant
Manistee	133 Cypress Ave.	Later Hardee's, became A&W ca. 1989
Marquette	1422 Presque Isle Ave.	Became Hardee's 1983, closed 2008. Became Temaki & Tea/Smoothie King 2011.
Marshall	1310 W. Michigan Ave.	Later Hardee's until 1997, now Arby's
Melvindale	3660 Oakwood Blvd.	Became Arby's ca. 1983, closed 2011?, torn down 2014? for O'Reilly Auto Parts
Midland	1910 N. Saginaw Rd.	Later Hardee's, torn down for Jo-Ann Fabrics
Mt. Morris	6068 N. Saginaw St.	Became Arby's ca. 1979, closed late 1990s?, vacant
Mt. Pleasant	1224 S. Mission Ave.	Burned down February 15, 1975, Arby's on site
Muskegon	2155 E. Apple Ave.	Now Top Shelf Pizza
Muskegon	1821 Henry St.	Later Okee Dokes Place, now vacant
Muskegon	2118 Peck St.	Closed late 1970s, later Toombs Funeral Home, now vacant
Muskegon	1362 Whitehall Rd.	Became Dah Hu late 1980s
Niles	11 S. 11th St.	Later Rodee's, then A&W, torn down late 1990s for Rite Aid
Northville	401 N. Center St.	Later Hardee's, closed before 1997, torn down for parking lot
Oak Park	13500 W. 9 Mile Rd.	Later Hardee's until 1997, then Nikola's, now Captain Jay's
Owosso	426 E. Main St.	Later Hardee's until 1989, when store relocated to current location at 534.Later Donut Express until late 1990s, Papa John's Pizza from 2001 to ca. 2006?, then Rib Shack, now Cash Depot.
Petoskey	438 W. Mitchell St.	Opened 1968, closed and became Arby's 1978
Plainwell	1201 M-89	Later Hardee's, now Burger King
Plymouth	1365 S. Main St.	Closed mid-1980s, later Cobblers Comfort Shoes (1984 listing).Later various real estate offices, now Sport & Spine Performance Institute and AAA Insurance
Pontiac	511 N. Perry St.	Now Del Pueblo
Port Huron	2626 Pine Grove Ave.	Later Hardee's until 1997, now Tim Hortons
Portage	6133 S. Westnedge Ave.	Later Zio's, torn down for Chili's
Redford	11307 Telegraph Rd.	Later Hardee's until 1997, then Tim Hortons until ca. 2007, now Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits
Rochester	1106 S. Rochester Rd.	Later Hardee's until 1997, now Burger King
Royal Oak	2214 E. 11 Mile Rd.	Later Hardee's until 1997, now Tim Hortons
Saginaw	2945 Bay Rd.	Opened 1971, became Taco Villa 1980, then Golden China, then Beijing BBQ, now vacant
Saginaw	5025 Bay Rd.	Possible relocation of above store; was Hardee's until 1997, then Kenny Rogers Roasters.Later an Alltel dealer until January 2010, became Lover's Lane February 2011.
Saginaw	3262 E. Holland Ave.	Became Taco Bell before 1984, store rebuilt late 1990s
Saginaw	1472 N. Michigan Ave.	Later Hardee's until early 1990s, then National City Bank until ca. 2008.Later Saginaw Suit & Alteration, torn down ca. 2012 for Taco Bell.
St. Clair Shores	23825 Harper Ave.	Later Hardee's until 1997, now Tim Hortons
St. Johns	605 N. US-27	Later a Chinese restaurant, then San Juan Mexican, then Mike's Power Equipment, now Watts Ammunition
St. Joseph	2901 Niles Ave.	Later Odell's (1983), then Rodee's (1985), then On the Avenue (1989-90).Became Arby's from 1991-ca. 2006, now Dairy Queen
Sault Ste. Marie	3344 I-75 Business Spur	Now Indo China Garden
South Haven	319 Broadway St.	Now China Cafe
Southfield	24999 Northwestern Hwy.	Later Hardee's until 1997, now Wendy's
Southgate	13760 Eureka Rd.	Later Arthur Treacher's, then Seafood Bay, then Downriver Coney Island, now vacant
Sturgis	106 S. Centreville Rd.	Later Hardee's, then Arby's; closed 2008, became South Sturgis Liquor ca. 2015
Taylor	5822 Telegraph Rd.	Later Hardee's until 1997, now Burger King
Taylor	21399 Van Born Rd.	Later Hardee's until 1997, now Tim Hortons
Three Rivers	915 W. Michigan Ave.	Later Rice Kitchen, now Kellogg Community Credit Union
Traverse City	816 E. Front St.	Became Taco Bell before 1988, store torn down and rebuilt ca. 2005
Warren	11549 E. 9 Mile Rd.	Later Hardee's until ca. 1997, now Five Star Coney Island
Warren	4024 E. 9 Mile Rd.	Later Hardee's, then Zorba's, now vacant
Warren	29030 Van Dyke Ave.	Later Hardee's until 1997, now Tim Hortons
Warren	31121 Schoenherr Rd.	Later Hardee's (1988 listing), then Gus's Palace (1991 listing), then Four Seasons Cafe, torn down for CVS/pharmacy
Wayne	33429 Sims Ave.(renumbered to 34438 Michigan Ave.)	Later Hardee's, now L. George Coney Island
Waterford	2390 Elizabeth Lake Rd.(renumbered to 2270 Elizabeth Lake Rd.)	Later a BP gas station, then R&R Oil Change, now vacant
Waterford	7160 Cooley Lake Rd.(renumbered to 7156 Cooley Lake Rd.)	Later Joshua's, now Green Apple Restaurant
Westland	303 S. Wayne Rd.	Later Hardee's, then Leon's, now George's Coney Island
Westland	29317 Joy Rd.	Later Hardee's until 1997, now Wendy's
Woodhaven	18768 West Rd.	Became Harry's before 1991, now Massage Envy
Wyoming	1313 28th St. SW	Torn down for Burger King
Ypsilanti	309 E. Michigan Ave.	Later Hardee's, now Lucas Coney Island