"The Kmart Chef trademark was filed in 1967. Built in parking lots outside certain Kmart stores, the restaurant was a fast-food drive-in concept. Their first spot was in Pontiac, Michigan. After several more Michigan locations, they branched out to New Mexico, Illinois, Texas, Missouri, Kansas, and Pennsylvania. That was as far as they ever got, however. After opening just 11 locations, the chain closed up shop entirely in 1974."
"Like most drive-ins, the menu offered standard fare including burgers, fries, and milkshakes. In 1972, the Pontiac location celebrated its 5th anniversary and customers could win a free bike. The local paper also offered a coupon for a 38-cent Big K hamburger, their version of a Big Mac or Whopper (normally 55 cents), and another for a 12-cent milkshake. Ads from 1973 offered a double cheeseburger, onion rings, and a drink for 88 cents."
Kmart Chef launched in 1967 as a fast-food drive-in built in parking lots outside select Kmart stores, with its first location in Pontiac, Michigan. Expansion reached several Michigan sites and states including New Mexico, Illinois, Texas, Missouri, Kansas, and Pennsylvania, but the chain opened only 11 locations before closing in 1974. The menu included burgers, fries, milkshakes, hot dogs, pies, and fried chicken, with promotional pricing and coupons such as a 38-cent Big K burger and 12-cent milkshakes. Ads in 1973 promoted combo meals for 88 cents, and 8 oz of fried chicken cost 79 cents with coupon deals. Service operated more like a cafeteria with customers taking trays and moving along a service line.
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