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((short description|Restaurant chain))
((About|the multinational chain of hamburger restaurants|the unrelated Canadian chain|Wimpy's Diner))
((Infobox company
| name = Wimpy
| logo = Logo of Wimpy.svg
| former_name = Wimpy Grills, Wimpy Bar
| type = [[Subsidiary|Wholly owned subsidiary]]
| location_city = [[Johannesburg]]
| location_country = [[South Africa]]
| num_locations = 523
| industry = [[Restaurant]]s
| foundation = ((start date and age|df=yes|1934)) in [[Bloomington, Indiana|Bloomington]], [[Indiana]], [[United States|US]]<br>((start date and age|df=yes|1954)) in [[Coventry Street]], [[London]]
| founder = Edward Gold (US)<br>[[J. Lyons & Co.]] (UK)
| products = [[Hamburger]]s, Chicken, [[French fries]]
| num_locations_year = 2023
| areas_served = [[South Africa]], [[United Kingdom]], [[Kuwait]], [[Egypt]], [[Lesotho]], [[United Arab Emirates]]
| parent = [[Famous Brands]]
| homepage = ((URL|http://www.wimpy.uk.com))<br>((URL|http://www.wimpy.co.za))
))

'''Wimpy''' is a fast-food chain that was founded in the United States. It found its success internationally, mainly in the [[United Kingdom]] and [[South Africa]]. It has changed between being a [[Table service|table-service establishment]] and [[Counter service|counter-service establishment]] throughout its history.<ref>((cite web|last=Castelow|first=Ellen|title=Food in Britain in the 1950s and 1960s|url=https://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/Food-in-Britain-in-the-1950s-1960s/|access-date=16 July 2018|publisher=Historic UK|archive-date=16 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716224003/https://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/Food-in-Britain-in-the-1950s-1960s/|url-status=live))</ref>

The chain was founded in [[Bloomington, Indiana]], by Edward Gold in 1934 as '''Wimpy Grills''', with the chain in the United States hitting its peak with 26 locations in 1947. In 1954, Gold signed a license with [[J. Lyons and Co.]] for them to operate '''Wimpy Bar''' across the United Kingdom, with further international agreements a few years later through its subsidiary company, Wimpy International. By 1977, there were only seven Wimpy locations in the United States, which all folded following Gold's passing in that year. Despite the brand's demise domestically, the chain would peak at 1,500 international locations the following year.<ref name="ct-1978jul28" />

The company was sold to [[United Biscuits]] in 1977, and then to [[Diageo|Grand Metropolitan]] in 1989. Grand Metropolitan began to phase out the Wimpy Bar in the United Kingdom, rebranding many of them as [[Burger King]] (which it also owned) because Burger King had the greater brand recognition amongst consumers, and to aid market competition against [[McDonald's]].<ref>((Cite web|last=Pickering|first=Jasper|title=We ate at Wimpy — the UK's forgotten fast food chain that was almost wiped out by McDonald's|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/forgotten-fast-food-chain-mcdonalds-almost-wiped-out-wimpy-restaurants-2018-1|access-date=2021-11-05|website=Business Insider|language=en-US|date=2018-01-13|archive-date=5 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105191643/https://www.businessinsider.com/forgotten-fast-food-chain-mcdonalds-almost-wiped-out-wimpy-restaurants-2018-1|url-status=live))</ref> Following various buyouts, Wimpy was sold to [[Famous Brands]] in 2007. Famous Brands had operated the South African Wimpy franchise for a number of years, and the acquisition made it the parent company.

As of June 2023, the company remains headquartered in [[Johannesburg]], South Africa, where it has 453 outlets,<ref name="za">((Cite web |title=All Wimpy Restaurants |url=https://location.wimpy.co.za/ |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=wimpy.co.za |language=en |archive-date=17 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117032539/https://location.wimpy.co.za/ |url-status=live ))</ref> this is followed by the United Kingdom with 62 outlets.<ref>((Cite web |title=Wimpy UK |url=https://wimpy.uk.com/ |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=wimpy.uk.com |language=en |archive-date=26 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026173028/https://wimpy.uk.com/ |url-status=live ))</ref> In 2017 and 2020, the company announced plans for nationwide expansion in the United Kingdom.<ref>((Cite web|title=Wimpy planning a comeback with UK expansion plan ((!)) Franchising|url=https://fooddigital.com/franchising/wimpy-planning-comeback-uk-expansion-plan|access-date=2021-11-14|website=Food Digital|language=en|first=Laura|last=Mullan|date=2020-05-17|archive-date=14 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114113853/https://fooddigital.com/franchising/wimpy-planning-comeback-uk-expansion-plan|url-status=live))</ref><ref>((Cite web|date=2017-10-23|title=Wimpy planning UK expansion|url=https://www.thecaterer.com/news/restaurant/wimpy-planning-uk-expansion|access-date=2021-11-14|website=The Caterer|language=en|archive-date=14 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114113853/https://www.thecaterer.com/news/restaurant/wimpy-planning-uk-expansion|url-status=live))</ref> There are also outlets in [[Kuwait]], [[Egypt]], the [[United Arab Emirates]] and [[Lesotho]].

==History==

===Origins in the United States===
The Wimpy brand was established in 1934 by Edward Gold, when he opened his first location in [[Bloomington, Indiana]], under the name ''Wimpy Grills''.<ref name=erg-1977oct16>((cite news |title=Kennedy Ignores Flap Over Book: Edward V. Gold |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1310&dat=19771016&id=9KRVAAAAIBAJ&pg=5582,4231129&hl=en |newspaper=[[Eugene Register-Guard]] |date=16 October 1977 |page=6c |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |via=[[Google News]] |access-date=27 March 2020))</ref><ref name=cst-2004jul25>((cite news |last=Hoekstra |first=Dave |title=Pseudosliders |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=1043E4D91B877F68&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |date=25 July 2004 |page=11 |url-access=subscription |quote=Wimpy's, throughout the Midwest: Inspired by the Popeye's comic strip, J. Wellington Wimpy was a tubby character who always promised to "gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today." Wimpy's started in 1934 in Bloomington, Ind., and even had outlets in Chicago's Loop. Founder Ed Gold died in 1978 while working in his Chicago outlet; his will stipulated that all his restaurants be permanently closed upon his death. That's moxie, not wimpy. |access-date=20 July 2015 |archive-date=21 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721183813/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=1043E4D91B877F68&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |url-status=live ))</ref> The name was inspired by the character of [[J. Wellington Wimpy]] from the [[Popeye]] cartoons created by [[E. C. Segar]]. Gold did not open his first Chicago area location until two years later in 1936, after opening units in five other [[Midwestern United States|Midwestern]] cities.<ref name=cdt-1935nov17>((cite news |title=Restaurant Chain Enters Chicago with First Unit |newspaper=[[Chicago Daily Tribune]] |date=17 November 1935 |page=20 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1935/11/17/page/20/article/restaurant-chain-enters-chicago-with-first-unit |quote=Edward Gold, president of Wimpy Grills, Inc., operating restaurant units in five cities in the middle west, has leased for ten years the unimproved land at 117 East Chicago avenue... has started construction of the first of a chain of Chicago eating places. |id=((ProQuest|181720563)) |url-access=subscription |access-date=23 July 2015))</ref> By 1947, the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' reported that the chain had 26 units, and expected to sell eight million hamburgers annually in the Chicago area.<ref>((cite news|title=Restaurant Chain Leases Loop Site for New Building|url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1947/04/20/page/111/article/will-replace-loop-landmark|access-date=8 August 2015|work=Chicago Tribune|date=20 April 1947|page=3–B|url-access=subscription))</ref>

According to a 1978 ''Chicago Tribune'' article, Gold's company Wimpy Grills Inc. of Chicago, had 25 locations in the United States at its peak, but only seven locations remained at the time of his death in 1977.<ref name=ct-1978jul28>((cite news |title=Wimpy's for sale; is there 2d Ray Kroc? |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=28 July 1978 |page=D9 |first=George |last=Lazarus |url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1978/07/28/page/61/article/wimpys-for-sale-is-there-2d-ray-kroc |id=((ProQuest|171741730)) |url-access=subscription |access-date=28 February 2015))</ref> The chain vanished within the United States after Gold's death because no one had purchased the rights and trademark to the Wimpy name from Gold's estate.<ref name=ct-1978jul28 />

[[File:Dan Hadani collection (990044456220205171).jpg|thumb|Wimpy in Israel 1969]]

===Wimpy's International===
In 1954, Gold sold a licence to [[J. Lyons and Co.]] to use the Wimpy name in the United Kingdom.<ref name=wp-1977oct17>((cite news |title=Edward V. Gold, 'Wimpy' Entrepreneur |newspaper=[[Washington Post]] |date=17 October 1977 |page=C6 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost_historical/doc/146765919.html |url-access=subscription |id=((ProQuest|146765919)) |access-date=7 July 2017 |archive-date=10 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210231905/https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost_historical/doc/146765919.html |url-status=dead ))</ref><ref name=nyt-1977oct16>((cite news |title=Edward V. Gold, 70, the Founder Of the Wimpy's Restaurant Chain |newspaper=[[New York Times]] |date=16 October 1977 |page=42 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/10/16/archives/edward-v-gold-70-the-founder-of-the-wimpys-restaurant-chain.html |url-access=subscription |id=((ProQuest|123495723)) |access-date=25 July 2018 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612191233/https://www.nytimes.com/1977/10/16/archives/edward-v-gold-70-the-founder-of-the-wimpys-restaurant-chain.html |url-status=live ))</ref> Wimpy Grills Inc. of Chicago later formed a joint company with Lyons called Wimpy's International Inc. in 1957. Wimpy's International was based in Chicago and allowed the brand to operate Wimpy Grills in the rest of the world.<ref name=nyt-1957apr05>((cite news |title=Restaurant Chain Formed |newspaper=[[New York Times]] |date=5 April 1957 |page=50 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9E03E1DF1F3EE63ABC4D53DFB266838C649EDE |url-access=subscription |id=((ProQuest|114034350)) |access-date=18 September 2017 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305083624/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9E03E1DF1F3EE63ABC4D53DFB266838C649EDE |url-status=live ))</ref>

The joint company eventually grew to 1,500 locations, with Gold later selling his share to Lyons prior to his death.<ref name=ct-1978jul28 /> After obtaining full control of the international licensing outside of the United States, Lyons and its successors handled global franchising through their United Kingdom-based subsidiary ''Wimpy International Ltd''. This arrangement ceased when Wimpy UK became a subsidiary of the South Africa-based Famous Brands in 2007. The South African company started to handle worldwide franchising duties directly from Johannesburg.

===United Kingdom===
[[File:Wimpy - Cloth Hall Street - geograph.org.uk - 1702815.jpg|thumb|right|A Wimpy restaurant in [[Huddersfield]], West Yorkshire (2010)]]
[[File:Ryde Union Street Wimpy Restaurant.JPG|thumb|A Wimpy restaurant in [[Ryde]], [[Isle of Wight]] (2011), with the previous logo]]
Lyons obtained a licence to use the Wimpy brand in the United Kingdom from Edward Gold's Chicago based Wimpy Grills Inc.<ref name=wp-1977oct17 /><ref name=nyt-1977oct16 /> and, in 1954, the first "Wimpy Bar" was established at the [[Lyons Corner House]] in Coventry Street, London.<ref name=moments>((cite web|url=http://www.wimpy.uk.com/moments.htm |title=Wimpy Moments |access-date=1 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328171236/http://www.wimpy.uk.com/moments.htm |archive-date=28 March 2010 ))</ref><ref name=wp-1955jun05 /> The bar began as a special fast food section within traditional Corner House restaurants, but the success soon led to the establishment of separate Wimpy restaurants serving only hamburger-based meals.

In a 1955 newspaper column, [[Art Buchwald]], syndicated writer for the ''[[Washington Post]]'', wrote about the recent opening of a "Wimpy's Hamburger Parlor" on Coventry Street and about the influence of American culture on the British.<ref name=wp-1955jun05>((cite news |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost_historical/doc/148715812.html |title=Europe's Culture Falls to Hot Dog |newspaper=[[Washington Post]] |date=5 June 1955 |page=E3 |first=Art |last=Buchwald |author-link=Art Buchwald |url-access=subscription |quote=We received a bulletin announcing Lyons Corner House, Ltd., the backbone of Great Britain's gastronimic empire, had opened a "Wimpy's Hamburger Parlor," right plumb in the center of Coventry st. |id=((ProQuest|148715812)) |access-date=7 July 2017 |archive-date=22 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422030623/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost_historical/doc/148715812.html |url-status=dead ))</ref>

Buchwald wrote, "Food served at the table within ten minutes of ordering and with atomic age efficiency. No cutlery needed or given. Drinks served in a bottle with a straw. Condiments in pre-packaged single serving packets." In addition to familiar Wimpy burgers and milkshakes, the British franchise had served ham or sardine rolls called torpedoes and a cold frankfurter with pickled cucumber sandwiches called Freddies.<ref name=wp-1955jun05 />

During the 1970s Wimpy refused entry to women on their own after midnight. This may be because of an assumption they might be sex workers.<ref>((cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LxW28RP05j0C&pg=PT37 |page=37 |title=Paper Houses: A Memoir of the 70s and Beyond |first=Michele |last=Roberts |publisher=Hachette UK |date=15 March 2012 |isbn=9781405516563 |via=[[Google Books]] |access-date=18 September 2017 |archive-date=19 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219081829/https://books.google.com/books?id=LxW28RP05j0C&pg=PT37 |url-status=live ))</ref><ref>((cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22076886 |work=[[BBC News]] |title=What if Margaret Thatcher had never been? |date=9 April 2013 |first=Dominic |last=Sandbrook |access-date=22 June 2018 |archive-date=8 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608091711/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22076886 |url-status=live ))</ref>

By 1970, the business had expanded to over 1,000 restaurants in 23 countries.<ref name=moments />

In July 1977, the business was acquired by [[United Biscuits]].<ref name=tgh-1977jul09>((cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2507&dat=19770709&id=QJBAAAAAIBAJ&pg=1859,1895821&hl=en |title=Lyons Sell Last Of Wimpy |newspaper=[[The Glasgow Herald]] |date=9 July 1977 |page=11 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |via=[[Google News]] |access-date=27 March 2020))</ref> In 1978 the long-running Mr Wimpy advertising character was introduced. starting in Brighton.<ref>Wimpy UK [https://wimpy.uk.com/pages/history The world famous Mr Wimpy makes his debut in Brighton!] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006110343/https://wimpy.uk.com/pages/history |date=6 October 2022 ))</ref> The fast food chain coined its name from [[J. Wellington Wimpy]] in the Popeye cartoon strip, so used Mr Wimpy, an exaggerated beefeater figure, to advertise and promote their product, including employing people to wear Mr Wimpy suits outside the restaurants.<ref>Conrad Lashley, Alison Morrison  ''In Search of Hospitality'' 2013 "The Wimpy fast food chain coined its name from J Wellington Wimpy, the dumpy hamburger guzzling character in the Popeye cartoon strip. Wimpy use Mr Wimpy, an exaggerated beefeater figure, to advertise and promote their product "</ref> By the end of the 1980s, Wimpy was beginning to lose ground to [[McDonald's]], which had opened its first restaurant in the country in 1974, and so the new management of Wimpy began to streamline the business, by converting some of the traditional [[table service]] restaurants to counter service. When United Biscuits decided to divest its restaurant division in 1989, it sold the business to [[Grand Metropolitan]] (now [[Diageo]]). At the time of the sale, there were 381 locations in the United Kingdom. Grand Metropolitan had acquired [[Burger King]] the previous year, and it began to convert the [[counter service]] restaurants to Burger King since it had a greater global brand recognition.<ref name=thg-1989aug08>((cite news |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/11927327.Burger_King_swallows_Wimpy/ |title=Burger King swallows Wimpy |newspaper=[[The Herald (Glasgow)]] |date=8 August 1989 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |access-date=20 July 2015 |archive-date=21 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721192201/http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/11927327.Burger_King_swallows_Wimpy/ |url-status=live ))</ref>

In February 1990, the remaining 216 table service restaurants were purchased by a management buyout, backed by [[3i]].<ref name=ct-1990feb07>((cite news |url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1990-02-07/business/9001110295_1_burger-king-brand-barry-gibbons-overseas |title=Grand Met To Sell Part Of British Wimpy Chain |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=7 February 1990 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |access-date=20 July 2015 |archive-date=22 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722124038/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1990-02-07/business/9001110295_1_burger-king-brand-barry-gibbons-overseas |url-status=live ))</ref> These were locations that were considered less desirable by Grand Metropolitan. At the time of the buyout, there were also 140 franchised locations outside of the United Kingdom. In October 1999, Wimpy rolled out a chain of restaurants known as ''Dr. Beaks'', to take on brands such as [[KFC]].<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/wimpy-rolls-dr-beaks-chain-kfc-fast-food/67702|title=Wimpy rolls out Dr Beaks chain to take on KFC in fast food|publisher=campaignlive.co.uk|date=14 October 1999|access-date=28 March 2017|first=Holly|last=Acland|archive-date=29 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329050948/http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/wimpy-rolls-dr-beaks-chain-kfc-fast-food/67702|url-status=live))</ref>

A second management buyout occurred in May 2002, backed by the [[Bank of Scotland]].<ref name=dt-2002may26>((cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2763730/Wimpy-on-buyout-menu-for-20m.html |title=Wimpy on buyout menu for £20m |newspaper=[[Daily Telegraph]] |date=26 May 2002 |first=Lauren |last=Mills |access-date=4 April 2018 |archive-date=26 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726170242/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2763730/Wimpy-on-buyout-menu-for-20m.html |url-status=live ))</ref> At the time of the sale in 2002, there were approximately 300 locations in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Although Wimpy outlets have decreased in numbers in the United Kingdom, they are still found in many towns and cities, including [[Huddersfield]], and at seafront/seasonal locations, such as [[Felixstowe]], [[Clacton-on-Sea]], [[Clarence Pier]] in [[Southsea]].<ref>((cite web |url=http://www.wimpy.uk.com/locator#com_locator_entry_17 |title=Restaurant Locator |publisher=Wimpy UK |access-date=1 September 2016 |archive-date=7 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160907063749/http://www.wimpy.uk.com/locator?#com_locator_entry_17 |url-status=live ))</ref> By the beginning of the 21st century, most Wimpys were found in less desirable low-rent locations that primarily cater to pensioners and others on a fixed income, rather than the high street locations of former times.<ref name=tg-2002jan31>((cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/feb/01/britishidentity.paulmacinnes |title=Lunch is for Wimpys: There's no longer one on every high street but the original British burger chain is still serving Big Benders - and making a comeback. |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=31 January 2002 |first=Paul |last=MacInnes |access-date=18 December 2016 |archive-date=21 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221141536/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/feb/01/britishidentity.paulmacinnes |url-status=live ))</ref> Another big change from earlier times was that most locations were now franchises and not company-owned operations.

On 27 February 2007, [[Famous Brands]], which owns the Wimpy franchise in South Africa, announced that it had acquired Wimpy UK.<ref name=vm-2014apr29>((cite news |last=Clark |first=Ashley |title=The Slow Death of Wimpy, a British Institution |url=https://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/the-slow-death-of-a-british-institution-whats-next-for-wimpy |magazine=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]] |date=29 April 2014 |access-date=18 September 2017 |archive-date=11 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161211101553/http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/the-slow-death-of-a-british-institution-whats-next-for-wimpy |url-status=live ))</ref><ref name=allafrica.com-2007feb28>((cite news |last=West |first=Edward |title=South Africa: Famous Brands Bites Off 75 Percent of Wimpy UK |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200702280204.html |website=[[AllAfrica.com]] |date=28 February 2007))</ref> Having acquired the brand, Famous Brands has rebranded Wimpy in the United Kingdom, to bring it in line with Wimpy South Africa. The "new" logo is the one that had been used by Wimpy UK from the 1960s until the 1980s. In November 2009, Famous Brands began to upgrade its 170 locations in the United Kingdom to resemble United States-style diners.<ref name=mm-2009nov24>((cite news |last=Golding |first=Amy |title=Wimpy to restyle its burger bars as American-style diners |url=http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/article/969049/wimpy-restyle-its-burger-bars-american-style-diners |magazine=[[Marketing Magazine]] |date=24 November 2009 |url-access=subscription |access-date=20 July 2015 |archive-date=21 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721194620/http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/article/969049/wimpy-restyle-its-burger-bars-american-style-diners |url-status=live ))</ref> As of December 2023, 64 restaurants remain in the United Kingdom.<ref>((cite web |url=https://locations.wimpy.uk.com/ |title=All Wimpy locations |publisher=Wimpy UK |access-date=30 June 2021 |archive-date=17 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117084943/https://locations.wimpy.uk.com/ |url-status=live ))</ref>

====IRA bombing====

On 26 October 1981, [[Kenneth Howorth]], an explosives officer with London's [[Metropolitan Police]], was killed whilst attempting to defuse a bomb planted by the [[Provisional Irish Republican Army]] in the basement of ''Wimpy's'' in [[Oxford Street]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20051113160748/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,922647,00.html] [[Time Magazine]], Once More, Terror in the Streets</ref>

===South Africa===
((multiple image|header = Wimpy South Africa
|direction = vertical
|width = 220
|align = right
|image1 = Wimpy South Africa.jpg
|caption1 = An outside view of a Wimpy franchise in Cape Town, South Africa (2016).
|image2 = Wimpy South Africa interior.jpg
|caption2 =An interior view of a Wimpy in South Africa (2016). Note the distinctive [[American diner|US-style diner]] inspired design.
|image3 = Wimpy burger and chips.jpg
|caption3 = A typical Wimpy burger and chips with carbonated drink, including cutlery, from the South African Wimpy (2016).
))
Wimpy International opened its first South African location in [[Durban]] in 1967.<ref name=tassiopoulos-2008>((cite book |last=Tassiopoulos |first=Dimitri |title=New Tourism Ventures: An Entrepreneurial and Managerial Approach |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eL6EJrb5LUAC&q=wimpy&pg=PA92 |publisher=Juta and Company Ltd |date=2008 |pages=92–93 |isbn=9780702177262 |via=[[Google Books]]))</ref> The South African restaurants were sold to Bakers SA Ltd in the late 1970s, which in 1987 sold the South African chain to Pleasure Foods, then known as Juicy Lucy SA.<ref name=maas-2013>((cite book |last=Maas |first=Carié |title=From Corner Café to JSE Giant: The Famous Brands Story |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0uNRBAAAQBAJ&q=wimpy&pg=PT162 |publisher=Tafelberg |date=2013 |pages=162–163 |isbn=9780624056799 |via=[[Google Books]] ))((Dead link|date=February 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes ))</ref> [[Famous Brands Limited]], then known as the Steers Holdings Limited, acquired Wimpy when it bought Pleasure Foods in 2003.<ref name=fin24-2003aug19>((cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Steers buys Pleasure Foods |url=http://www.fin24.com/Companies/Steers-buys-Pleasure-Foods-20030819 |date=19 August 2003 |website=Fin24 |access-date=18 July 2015 |archive-date=22 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722055138/http://www.fin24.com/Companies/Steers-buys-Pleasure-Foods-20030819 |url-status=live ))</ref>

Famous Brands acquired the United Kingdom-based Wimpy in February 2007, thus becoming the parent company for the chain and beginning to collect the franchise fees from the other franchises.<ref name=vm-2014apr29 />

As of February 2023, Famous Brands had 453 Wimpy restaurants in South Africa, making it the largest franchise in the Wimpy franchise system.<ref name="za" /><ref name=bdsa-2011oct12>((cite news |url=http://www.bdlive.co.za/articles/2011/10/12/wimpy-helps-famous-brands-reach-2000-milestone |title=Wimpy helps Famous Brands reach 2000 milestone |newspaper=[[Business Day (South Africa)]] |date=12 October 2011 |first=Annaleigh |last=Vallie |access-date=18 July 2015 |archive-date=21 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721182003/http://www.bdlive.co.za/articles/2011/10/12/wimpy-helps-famous-brands-reach-2000-milestone |url-status=live ))</ref>

=== Lesotho ===
There is a Wimpy restaurant in [[Maseru]], the capital of [[Lesotho]].<ref name="za" />

===Kuwait ===
Since 1970, the [[Americana Group]] has operated a single Wimpy restaurant within the Arab League nation of [[Kuwait]].<ref>((cite book|last1=Stephens|first1=Melodena|title=East Meets West|last2=Michael|first2=Ian|last3=Moonesar|first3=Immanuel Azaad|publisher=Emerald Group Publishing|year=2013|isbn=9781781904138|page=130|chapter=Americana Group|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8CLmuucAqogC&pg=PA130|via=[[Google Books]]))</ref> By January 2022, the chain expanded to three locations.<ref>((cite web |url=https://248am.com/mark/food/promoted-wimpy-rebrands-and-relaunches/ |title=PROMOTED: Wimpy Rebrands and Relaunches |date=4 January 2022 |work=2:48AM |access-date=7 March 2023 |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307032254/https://248am.com/mark/food/promoted-wimpy-rebrands-and-relaunches/ |url-status=live ))</ref> ((As of|2023|3)), Americana Group has four locations in Kuwait.<ref name="wimpy.me">((cite web |url=https://www.wimpy.me/index.html#about |title=Locations |work=Wimpy Middle East |publisher=[[Americana Group]] |access-date=7 March 2023 |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307032251/https://www.wimpy.me/index.html#about |url-status=live ))</ref>

===Egypt===
During the late 1970s and 1980s there was a Wimpy restaurant in the [[Zamalek]] area of Cairo, but this subsequently closed. In 2021 the opening of a new Wimpy in Cairo was announced,<ref>((Cite web|date=7 May 2021|title=Wimpy Burger restaurant coming back to Egypt|work=Sada El balad|url=https://see.news/wimpy-burger-restaurant-coming-back-to-egypt4987225588899/|access-date=1 July 2021|language=en-US|first=Ahmed|last=Emam|archive-date=25 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625110230/https://see.news/wimpy-burger-restaurant-coming-back-to-egypt4987225588899/|url-status=live))</ref><ref>((Cite web|date=10 May 2021|title=Wimpy Returns to Egypt to Regain Its Glorious Old Days|url=https://thinkmarketingmagazine.com/wimpy-returns-to-egypt-to-regain-its-glorious-old-days/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511054942/https://thinkmarketingmagazine.com/wimpy-returns-to-egypt-to-regain-its-glorious-old-days/|archive-date=11 May 2021|access-date=1 July 2021|website=Think Marketing|language=en-US|url-status=dead))</ref> and it opened on 30 June.((citation needed|date=December 2021)) ((As of|2023|3)), Americana Group has 12 locations within the Cairo region of Egypt.<ref name="wimpy.me" />

===United Arab Emirates===
The Wimpy brand returned to the United Arab Emirates when Kuwait-based Americana Group opened three locations within the city of [[Abu Dhabi]] in December 2022.<ref>((cite news |url=https://www.caterermiddleeast.com/outlets/americana-restaurants-brings-wimpy-back-to-the-uae-now-with-robot-staff |title=Americana Restaurants brings Wimpy back to the UAE, now with robot staff |first=Deepa |last=Narwani |date=15 December 2022 |work=Caterer Middle East |access-date=7 March 2023 |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307032306/https://www.caterermiddleeast.com/outlets/americana-restaurants-brings-wimpy-back-to-the-uae-now-with-robot-staff |url-status=live ))</ref><ref>((cite magazine |url=https://www.arabianbusiness.com/industries/retail/uae-fast-food-wimpy-returns-to-dubai-with-robot-burger-flipper |title=UAE fast food: Wimpy returns to Dubai with robot chef |date=15 December 2022 |magazine=[[Arabian Business]] |access-date=7 March 2023 |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307032305/https://www.arabianbusiness.com/industries/retail/uae-fast-food-wimpy-returns-to-dubai-with-robot-burger-flipper |url-status=live ))</ref>

==Former locations==
===Europe===
====Finland====

There were three franchise locations in the Finnish capital Helsinki between 1973 and 1977.<ref>((Cite news |last=Väliaho |first=Tuomo |date=5 March 2023 |title=Tällainen oli Suomen ensimmäinen hampurilaisketju - Taru ei kestänyt kauan |newspaper=[[Helsingin Sanomat]] |url=https://www.hs.fi/kaupunki/helsinki/art-2000009421251.html?share=edc72643e9193364b738b865602bface |access-date=5 March 2023 |trans-title=This was Finland's first hamburger chain - Taru didn't last long |language=fi |archive-date=5 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230305062204/https://www.hs.fi/kaupunki/helsinki/art-2000009421251.html?share=edc72643e9193364b738b865602bface |url-status=live ))</ref>

====France====
In May 1961, French businessman [[Jacques Borel (businessman)|Jacques Borel]] opened his first Wimpy restaurant in [[Paris]] after obtaining an exclusive franchise to operate Wimpy restaurants in France.<ref name=ladepeche-2011may29>((cite news |url=http://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2011/05/29/1095200-il-y-a-50-ans-le-premier-restaurant-de-hamburgers-en-france.html |title=Il y a 50 ans, le premier restaurant de hamburgers en France |newspaper=[[La Dépêche du Midi|La Dépêche]] |date=29 May 2011 |language=fr |trans-title=50 years ago, the first hamburger restaurant in France |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |access-date=7 August 2013 |archive-date=27 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227071936/http://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2011/05/29/1095200-il-y-a-50-ans-le-premier-restaurant-de-hamburgers-en-france.html |url-status=live ))</ref><ref>((cite news |url=http://www.estrepublicain.fr/actualite/2011/05/30/wimpy-fast-food-ephemere |title=Anniversaire Le premier restaurant de hamburger à Paris, c'était il y a cinquante ans: "Wimpy", fast-food éphémère |newspaper=[[L'Est Républicain]] |date=30 May 2011 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |language=fr |trans-title=Anniversary of the first hamburger restaurant in Paris, it was fifty years ago: "Wimpy", fast food on this day |access-date=19 July 2015 |archive-date=21 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721143607/http://www.estrepublicain.fr/actualite/2011/05/30/wimpy-fast-food-ephemere |url-status=live ))</ref> His restaurant was the first hamburger restaurant in France and predated the opening of the first McDonald's restaurant by a decade.

By the end of that year, he was able to open three more locations within Paris. By 1966, he began to expand outside the capital, starting with Lille.<ref name=tm-1966may06>((cite news |url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,901882,00.html |title=France: The Snack v. La Grande Cuisine |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=6 May 1966 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |url-access=subscription |quote=With a contract from the British-owned Wimpy chain, he opened his first four hamburger havens in Paris in 1961 and proceeded to lose money for two years. But gradually the idea of "a complete meal on a round bun" caught on. Now Borel serves 60,000 meals a day in Paris, and sales will run to $15 million or $16 million this year. Next week Borel will open his first Wimpy outside Paris in Lille, and then he moves on to the gastronomic bastion of Lyon. By the end of the year there will also be Wimpys in Nice, Bordeaux, Toulouse and Marseille, as well as five more in Paris. |access-date=19 July 2015 |archive-date=21 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721170528/http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,901882,00.html |url-status=live ))</ref> Within a short time, Borel had 20 locations; 15 in Paris and five in the rest of the country.<ref name=ladepeche-2011may29 /> Borel's company was so successful that the French newspaper ''[[France-Soir]]'' called the French franchise "public enemy number 1" for introducing American hamburger cuisine and fast food to French public at large.<ref name=ladepeche-2011may29 /> Although successful, Borel was forced to close the chain in 1969, owing to a disagreement he had with Lyons, the British parent company.<ref>((cite web |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Wimpy en France, en avance sur son temps? |trans-title=Wimpy in France, ahead of its time? |url=http://blog.ou-dejeuner.com/article/news/wimpy-en-france-en-avance-sur-son-temps-230 |website=ou-dejeuner |date=2 June 2011 |language=fr |access-date=19 July 2015 |archive-date=21 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721224910/http://blog.ou-dejeuner.com/article/news/wimpy-en-france-en-avance-sur-son-temps-230 |url-status=live ))</ref>

====Ireland====
Wimpy has been in Ireland on two occasions, in the 1960s and 1970s, and in the early 2000s.<ref>((cite web |url=https://brandnewretro.ie/2012/02/17/old-adverts-52-wimpy-dorset-st-dublin-with-phil-lynott-1968/ |title=Old Adverts #52 – Wimpy, Dorset St, Dublin with Phil Lynott, 1968 – Brand New Retro |access-date=10 January 2017 |archive-date=9 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109210357/https://brandnewretro.ie/2012/02/17/old-adverts-52-wimpy-dorset-st-dublin-with-phil-lynott-1968/ |url-status=live ))</ref>((failed verification|date=August 2020)) In the 2000s, petrol station chain operator [[Petrogas]] took on the master franchise for Ireland,<ref name="caterersearch">((cite web |url=http://www.caterersearch.com/Companies/33925/wimpy-international-ltd.html |title=Wimpy International Ltd |website=Caterer Search |access-date=29 January 2008 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=<!--undated--> |archive-date=11 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130211092944/http://www.caterersearch.com/Companies/33925/wimpy-international-ltd.html |url-status=dead ))</ref> and operated a large number of sites until 2010.<ref name=petrogas2010 />

Most have been replaced by Grill'n'Fill own-branded areas – selling virtually identical products – or Burger King, for which Petrogas had obtained the franchise. Petrogas terminated its master franchise agreement with Wimpy International in 2010.<ref name=petrogas2010>((cite web |url=http://applegreenstores.com/perch/resources/documents/petrogasgroupannualreview2010.pdf |title=Petrogas Annual report 2010 |publisher=Petrogas |date=14 February 2011 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |page=16 |quote=During the year the Group decided to terminate its master franchise agreement with the Wimpy fast food brand. |access-date=1 November 2015 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002224/http://applegreenstores.com/perch/resources/documents/petrogasgroupannualreview2010.pdf |url-status=dead ))</ref>

====Netherlands====
In 1963, the Dutch supermarket chain [[Albert Heijn]] obtained a license from Chicago-based Wimpy International to open the first Wimpy restaurant in the [[Netherlands]] on [[Leidsestraat]] in [[Amsterdam]].<ref>((cite news |url=http://aei.pitt.edu/82066/1/OM0315-done.pdf |title=The week in the community: May 30 – June 5, 1966 |date=9 June 1966 |work=Opera Mundi - Europe |number=360 |page=K |via=[[University of Pittsburgh]] |access-date=10 September 2019 |archive-date=7 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200207065850/http://aei.pitt.edu/82066/1/OM0315-done.pdf |url-status=live ))</ref> A second restaurant opened the following year on [[Damrak]].<ref>((cite web |url=https://www.ah.nl/over-ah/geschiedenis/1900 |title=Albert Heijn door de jaren heen: de 20e eeuw |work=[[Albert Heijn]] |trans-title=Albert Heijn through the years: The 20th century |language=nl |access-date=10 September 2019 |archive-date=7 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200207205036/https://www.ah.nl/over-ah/geschiedenis/1900 |url-status=dead ))</ref> Although there are no verifiable records showing when the last Wimpy closed in the Netherlands, it appears that Wimpy may have left the Netherlands by 1969 since Albert Heijn ceased to mention Wimpy in their corporate annual reports after 1969.<ref>((cite news |url=https://albertheijnerfgoed.courant.nu/issue/FL/1987-05-01/edition/29/page/32 |title=Activiteiten die werden gestopt |work=Personeelsbladen |via=Stichting Albert Heijn Erfgoed |number=29 |page=32 |date=1 May 1987 |trans-title=Activities that were stopped |language=nl |access-date=10 September 2019))</ref> In 1971, Albert Heijn later helped McDonald's to open its first restaurant in Europe by opening a McDonald's franchise in [[Zaandam]].<ref>((cite news |url=https://www.deorkaan.nl/de-eerste-mcdonalds-van-europa-stond-in-zaandam/ |title=De eerste McDonalds van Europa stond in Zaandam |newspaper=De Orkaan |date=4 February 2017 |trans-title=The first McDonalds in Europe was in Zaandam |language=nl |access-date=10 September 2019 |archive-date=22 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200122014540/https://www.deorkaan.nl/de-eerste-mcdonalds-van-europa-stond-in-zaandam/ |url-status=live ))</ref>

====West Germany====
Restaurateur Heinrich Lobenberg opened the first Wimpy restaurant in [[West Germany]] under a franchise license from Wimpy International at the [[Bochum Hauptbahnhof]] in December 1964, exactly seven years before the first McDonald's in West Germany, with plans to open up to 300 units in West Germany.<ref name="spiegel">((cite news |url=https://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-46175770.html |title=Ketten-Restaurants: Gold am Löffel |magazine=[[Der Spiegel]] |date=21 October 1964 |issue=43 |pages=68, 70 |language=de |trans-title=Chain Restaurants: Gold on Spoon |access-date=8 September 2019 |archive-date=26 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226022648/http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-46175770.html |url-status=live ))</ref> Lobenberg had cofounded the then five-unit [[Kochlöffel]] chain just three years before in [[Lingen, Germany|Lingen]].<ref name="spiegel" /> There are no verifiable records that Lobenberg opened a second Wimpy unit or how long the Bochum restaurant operated before it closed. A food historian writing in 2014 believes that Wimpy's failure to survive in [[Cold War]] era West Germany was caused by West German consumers of the 1960s preferring to eat familiar German-style chicken meals at the local [[Wienerwald (restaurant)|Wienerwald]] chain instead of getting an unfamiliar American-style hamburger sandwich at Wimpy.<ref name="germanfoodhistory-2014">((cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HUedAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT339 |title=Beyond Bratwurst: A History of Food in Germany |date=2014 |publisher=Reaktion Books |isbn=9781780233024 |first=Ursula |last=Heinzelmann |via=[[Google Books]]))</ref> At that time, Wimpy "was regarded with mere curiosity".<ref name="germanfoodhistory-2014" />

===Oceania===
====Australia====
The Wimpy licence in Australia was held by Happysnaks Pty Ltd and was owned by restaurateur and entrepreneur Oliver Shaul.<ref>((cite news |title=First Wimpy Bar Open Here Soon |publisher=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|page=12 |date=7 August 1963))</ref><ref name=ma-1964aug07>((cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1300&dat=19640807&id=wpJVAAAAIBAJ&pg=5634,1147182&hl=en |title=First Wimpy Bar Open Here Soon |newspaper=[[The Age]] |date=7 August 1964 |page=11 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |via=[[Google News]] |access-date=27 March 2020))</ref> The first Wimpy bar opened in [[Sydney]] in November 1964, owned and operated directly by Happysnaks. Subsequent Wimpy bars operated as franchises.

By 1971, there were 70 Wimpy bars around Australia, the most successful being in [[Hindley Street]], [[Adelaide]].<ref name="DoudleBaldwin">((cite book |title=State of Mind: The Success Secrets of 50 South Australian Entrepreneurs |page=35 |first1=Chris |last1=Doudle |first2=Karen |last2=Baldwin |name-list-style=amp |publisher=Wakefield Press |year=2006 |isbn=1862546843))</ref> Unable to compete with McDonald's, the Wimpy brand was withdrawn in 1975 and most Wimpy bars became independent fast food outlets.<ref name="DoudleBaldwin"/>

====New Zealand====
Wimpy had branches in New Zealand, including [[Rotorua]], [[Auckland]], [[Hamilton, New Zealand|Hamilton]], [[Tauranga]], Paraparaumu, Wanganui, Palmerston North, New Plymouth and Taupo and Napier.((citation needed|date=August 2018|reason=Are there any proof to support these claims?)) These were all rebranded in 2002. One store remained in Rotorua trading as Wimpy, although it was not part of the franchise chain. The last Wimpy in New Zealand was put up for sale in May 2008.<ref>((cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503438&objectid=10969885 |title=Rotorua icon Wimpy for sale |first=Kelly |last=Mihaka |publisher=Rotorua Daily Post |date=15 May 2008 |access-date=7 June 2016 |archive-date=10 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810180041/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503438&objectid=10969885 |url-status=live ))</ref>

===Asia===
====India====
Wimpy was one of the first fast food restaurant chains to open in [[Economic liberalisation in India|India's free market economy]]. With a run of initial success, Wimpy was often touted as the first icon of '[[Westernization]]' in India. A few of the restaurants which were still in business were located in [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] until 2002.<ref>((cite web |url=http://m.indiatoday.in/story/wimpy-fast-foods-gets-embroiled-in-legal-battle-involving-charges-of-cheating-forgery/1/354503.html |title=Wimpy Fast Foods gets embroiled in legal battle involving charges of cheating, forgery |first=Palakunnathu G. |last=Mathai |date=10 January 2014 |magazine=[[India Today]] |access-date=2 December 2015 |archive-date=28 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228032859/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/economy/story/19850930-wimpy-fast-foods-gets-embroiled-in-legal-battle-involving-charges-of-cheating-forgery-801990-2014-01-09 |url-status=live ))</ref>

====Indonesia====
((Unreferenced section|date=January 2024))
It is unclear when Wimpy opened its first Indonesian location. But it was most likely to have expanded to Indonesia in the late 1980s under the Singaporean subsidiary. Their lone store in the [[Blok M]] district of [[Jakarta]] closed down in the late 1990s.

====Israel====
Wimpy entered the [[Israel]]i market in the 1960s, and for a time dominated the hamburger restaurant market.<ref name=lexicon>((cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OxwGn-JS63gC&pg=PA118 |quote=וימפי המבורגר ישראלי משנות השישים, מבשר הפריצה המקדונאלדית [Wimpy Israeli hamburger from the sixties, the harbinger of the Macedonian breakthrough] |title=הלקסיקון של החיים: שפות במרחב הישראלי |first=Rubik |last=Rosenthal |page=118 |year=2007 |location=[[Jerusalem]] |publisher=[[Keter Publishing House|Keter]] |trans-title=Lexicon of Life: Languages in Israel |language=he |via=[[Google Books]]|isbn=9789650715618 ))</ref><ref name=change>((cite book |quote=׳וימפי׳ פתחה בארץ עוד ועוד סניפים, חברה בריטית לממכר המבורגרים שלא הצטיינו אמנם באיכותם, אך יחד עם משקה ה׳סנפרש׳ גם הם כמו שייכו את ישראל אל העולם הגדול. [Wimpy has opened more and more branches in the country, a British company that sells burgers that did not excel in quality, but together with the "Sanferash" drink, they also seem to belong to Israel in the big world.] |title=1967 :והארץ שינתה את פניה |first=Tom |last=Segev |publisher=Keter |location=Jerusalem |page=44 |trans-title=1967: The country changed its face |language=he))</ref> The Israeli subsidiary also operated branches in [[Greece]], [[Turkey]], [[Cyprus]], and [[Iran]], as well as [[Sharm el Sheikh]] within the [[Israeli occupation of the Sinai Peninsula|then-Israeli occupied Sinai]].<ref>((cite news |title="וימפי־ישראל" פותחת מזנון במרכז טהרן |url=https://www.nli.org.il/he/newspapers/?a=d&d=mar19700727-01.2.142&dliv=none&e=-------he-20--1--img-txIN%7ctxTI--------------1 |work=Ma'ariv |date=27 July 1970 |trans-title=Wimpy Israel opens a buffet in central Tehran |language=he |access-date=21 April 2021 |archive-date=21 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421222419/https://www.nli.org.il/he/newspapers/?a=d&d=mar19700727-01.2.142&dliv=none&e=-------he-20--1--img-txIN%7CtxTI--------------1 |url-status=live ))</ref> Before its final failure and pullout in the 1980s, Wimpy was joined in an emerging market for hamburger restaurants by [[Burgeranch]] (since 1972) and [[MacDavid]] (since 1978). Wimpy restaurants were infamous in Israel for poor product flavor, sanitation and hygiene; however, the chain did pioneer hamburger restaurants in Israel.<ref name=lexicon/><ref name=change/><ref name=falafel>((cite journal |quote=״בשנות השבעים המוקדמות השם המבורגר׳ הוכפש על ידי המתחרה, וימפי, שהוציאה שם רע להמבורגר בגלל סניטציה, הגיינה וטעם לקויים. המבורגר, באותה תקופה, היה בן חורג של הפאסט פוד הלגיטימי, הפלאפל, והוא ניסה לפלס את דרכו ללא הצלחה.״ [In the early 1970s, the name hamburger was tarnished by its competitor, Wimpy, which gave the hamburger a bad name because of its poor sanitation, hygiene and taste. The burger, at the time, was a stepson of the legitimate fast food, falafel, and he tried unsuccessfully.] |journal=Otot [Signal] |title=??? |year=1998 |publisher=Israel Association of Advertisers |number=209–214 |page=55 |language=he))</ref>

====Malaysia====
((Unreferenced section|date=January 2024))
It is unclear when Wimpy opened its first Malaysian location. But it was most likely to have expanded to Malaysia in the mid-1980s under the Singaporean subsidiary. Their stores in [[Kuala Lumpur]] and [[George Town, Penang|George Town]], [Klang, Selangor] closed down in the late 1990s.

====Saudi Arabia====
((Unreferenced section|date=January 2024))
There was a location in [[Jeddah]], Saudi Arabia, well into the 1990s.((citation needed|date=May 2021))((original research inline|date=May 2021))

====Singapore====
((Unreferenced section|date=January 2024))
Wimpy opened its first Singaporean location in 1980, in [[Choa Chu Kang]]. It also opened nine other restaurants before closing down in the late 1990s. The Singaporean subsidiary also operated branches in Indonesia and Malaysia.

====Thailand====
((Unreferenced section|date=January 2024))
Wimpy had several locations in major Thai cities such as [[Bangkok]], [[Chiang Mai]] and [[Hat Yai]] but these stores closed down in 2005.

===South America===

====Colombia====
In Colombia, Wimpy was established in 1976, being one of the first international fast food chains operating in the country. The first Wimpy restaurant in the country began operations with the inauguration of Unicentro, the first mall-type shopping centre in Bogotá, in April 1976.<ref>((cite web |url=http://www.wimpy.com.co/historia/historia.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021007005924/http://www.wimpy.com.co/historia/historia.htm |archive-date=2002-10-07 |title=WIMPY Historia |work=Wimpy Colombiana |trans-title=WIMPY History |language=es))</ref>

Competition from other chains was difficult, and the assets of Wimpy Colombiana Ltd were sold to competitor Presto (Frayco) in 2008, thus ending the presence of the chain in the country.<ref>((cite news |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-3107088 |title=Presto se quedó con Wimpy Colombiana |newspaper=[[El Tiempo (Colombia)|El Tiempo]] |date=24 September 2008 |trans-title=Presto stayed with Wimpy Colombiana |language=es |access-date=2 November 2020 |archive-date=5 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105074836/https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-3107088 |url-status=live ))</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of hamburger restaurants]]
* [[Starburger]]

==References==
((reflist))

==External links==
((Commons category-inline|Wimpy))
* [http://www.wimpy.uk.com/ Wimpy UK]
* [http://www.wimpy.co.za/ Wimpy South Africa]

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((DEFAULTSORT:Wimpy (Restaurant)))
[[Category:1934 establishments in Indiana]]
[[Category:1954 establishments in England]]
[[Category:1970s disestablishments in the United States]]
[[Category:3i Group companies]]
[[Category:Companies based in Johannesburg]]
[[Category:Defunct fast-food chains in the United States]]
[[Category:Defunct restaurant chains in Israel]]
[[Category:Fast-food chains of South Africa]]
[[Category:Fast-food chains of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Fast-food franchises]]
[[Category:Fast-food hamburger restaurants]]
[[Category:Restaurants established in 1934]]

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