Golden Skillet sign in Sandston, Virginia

Golden Skillet is a fast-food chain that mainly sells fried chicken originating in Richmond, Virginia.[1] The first Golden Skillet chicken was sold in 1963 at the downtown Richmond department store Thalhimer's.[1] The fried chicken recipe was created by Clifton W. Guthrie, the original owner and founder of Golden Skillet.

The slogan for the chain was "Tender as Quail! Tasty as Pheasant!"[2] While the recipe was not officially published, it is known that the fried chicken was cooked in special pressure-cookers and with specific breading.[1]

History

In 1963, a vice president of a Thalhimers grocery store tasted Guthrie's chicken at a banquet and shortly after, it was sold at the Thalhimers' restaurant.[1]

Eventually, in Richmond, the first freestanding location opened in 1968.[1] By October 2, 1981, Guthrie's death, the chain had grown to 180 franchises worldwide and 16 places of operation.[1] It had affiliate firms with Puerto Rico, Canada, and Japan.[1] [3][4] As of January 2024, the company operates 10 locations in Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia.

Golden Skillet would be sold to American chain Dairy Queen sometime in the 1980s after Guthrie's death.[5]

Locations

Some locations of the franchise include Sandston, Virginia,[6] Plymouth, North Carolina,[7] Henderson, North Carolina,[8] Ahoskie, North Carolina,[9] Petersburg, Virginia,[10] and Richmond, Virginia.[11][12]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Obituaries". UPI. October 2, 1981. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
  2. ^ "GOLDEN SKILLET TENDER AS QUAIL..TASTY AS PHEASANT Trademark of Golden Skillet International, Inc. Serial Number: 72215070 :: Trademarkia Trademarks". trademark.trademarkia.com. Retrieved 2022-08-05.
  3. ^ Hunziker, Jacob (2022-06-16). "Golden Skillet closes as owner begins new chapter in life". WSET. Retrieved 2022-08-05.
  4. ^ "After more than 35 years in Portsmouth, last Golden Skillet in Hampton Roads closes Sunday". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved 2022-08-05.
  5. ^ Derdak, Thomas; Grant, Tina (2001). International Directory of Company Histories. St. James Press. ISBN 978-1-55862-444-3.
  6. ^ "Google Maps". Google Maps. Retrieved 2022-08-05.
  7. ^ "GOLDEN SKILLET, Plymouth - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews". Tripadvisor. Retrieved 2022-08-05.
  8. ^ "Golden Skillet|Fried Chicken|BarBQ |Seafood |Henderson NC". Retrieved 2022-08-05.
  9. ^ "Home | Golden Skillet". goldenskilletahoskie.com. Retrieved 2022-08-05.
  10. ^ "Google Maps". Google Maps. Retrieved 2022-08-05.
  11. ^ "Google Maps". Google Maps. Retrieved 2022-08-05.
  12. ^ "Google Maps". Google Maps. Retrieved 2022-08-05.


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