Diners and Dives
The first Dog n Suds was opened in 1953 in Champaign, Illinois, by University of Illinois music teachers James Griggs and Don Hamacher.[3] The chain grew rapidly throughout the 1950s and 1960s, and a training center was established in Champaign, named "Rover College" after the dog on the restaurant signage.[6] At its peak in 1968, the chain had about 650 restaurants.[4] Griggs sold his interest in the business in the early 1970s. The company was sold to Frostie Enterprises in 1974, who owned the Frostie and Stewart's brands of root beer.[7] Frostie later abandoned the franchise business and sold the rights to make Dog-n-Suds branded root beer to the VanDames.[8]
In 1991, Don and Carol VanDame, owners of a Dog n Suds in Lafayette, Indiana, purchased the Dog n Suds trademark and identity rights.[6] In 2001, the VanDames created a new company, TK&C's LLC, to administer licensing rights for the brand.[9][10]
Don Hamacher died on January 4, 2013.[11]