Golden Skillet

For the Canadian restaurant chain originally known as Golden Skillet, see Mary Brown's.

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 16 company-owned locations and 180 franchises worldwide. ^[1] It had affiliate firms with Puerto Rico, Canada, and Japan. ^{[1] [3] [4]} As of April 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] Danville, Virginia, ^[10] Petersburg, Virginia, ^[11] and Richmond, Virginia. ^{[12] [13]}

See also

• List of fast-food chicken restaurants

References

1. "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. 18 September 2021. 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. "Danville Golden Skillet Facebook homepage". Facebook . Retrieved August 26, 2024.
11. "Google Maps". Google Maps. Retrieved 2022-08-05.
12. "Google Maps". Google Maps. Retrieved 2022-08-05.
13. "Google Maps". Google Maps. Retrieved 2022-08-05.

• Hubbard, Valerie (August 2003). "Golden Skillet: Virginia's Answer to Colonel Sanders". Virginia Living magazine. pp. 104–107.