"Henry's Hamburgers first opened its doors in 1954, and by 1960, there were 200 locations sprinkled across the US. Fast forward to 2025, and only one Henry's remains, an old-school 1950s burger joint located in Benton Harbor, Michigan. The solo surviving establishment is gung-ho to continue slinging signature burgers as well as other beloved treats. The restaurant's reputation is bolstered by nostalgia, its website plastered with countless stories from customers about their childhood memories of the place."
"In the late 1950s, Henry's Hamburgers was the rising star of fast-food chains. It was launched by the Bresler Ice Cream Company and named after the late co-founder, Henry Bresler. By the 1960s, the Chicago-based chain was neck-and-neck with McDonalds, with nearly as many restaurants as golden arches throughout the country. However, when McDonalds opened its first drive-thru in the mid-1970s, Henry's was late to catch on. The chain opened its first drive-thru in 1988, but by this time, many locations had already closed."
Henry's Hamburgers launched in 1954 and expanded to 200 locations by 1960, becoming a major fast-food chain. By the 1960s it rivaled McDonald's nationwide. The chain was late to adopt drive-thrus, opening its first in 1988 after McDonald's introduced them in the mid-1970s, contributing to widespread closures. A single Henry's remains in Benton Harbor, Michigan, preserving 1950s diner style and continuing to serve signature burgers and beloved treats. The restaurant is family-owned by Dave and Mark Slavicek, whose dedication and customer nostalgia have sustained the location. The establishment's website features numerous customer letters and memories underscoring its nostalgic appeal.
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