Quaker Steak & Lube is a casual dining restaurant chain based in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1974, in Sharon, Pennsylvania. The original restaurant was built by George "Jig" Warren III and Gary "Mo" Meszaros in an abandoned gas station in downtown Sharon, and decorated with license plates and old automobiles.
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| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Genre | Casual dining |
| Founded | Sharon, Pennsylvania, United States (1974) |
| Founder | George "Jig" Warren III, Gary "Moe" Meszaros |
| Headquarters | Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania[1] |
Number of locations | 29 (2023) |
Area served | 9 States |
Key people | Gregg Lippert (CE0) |
| Products | |
| Parent | TravelCenters of America (2015–2021) JDK Management (2021–present) |
| Website | thelube |
History
editIn the aftermath of the 1973 oil crisis, amidst a wave of gas stations permanently closing, Jig Warren and Mo Meszaros wanted to preserve the culture of old gas stations and high-powered muscle cars. This idea eventually became a single Quaker Steak & Lube restaurant in Sharon, PA and eventually a chain of casual dining restaurants. The original Quaker Steak & Lube location, opened in 1974, includes a 1936 Chevrolet on the original hydraulic grease rack.[2]
On November 16, 2015, immediately after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the company was acquired by TravelCenters of America, who planned to expand the chain, both in its number of truck stops and its number of standalone restaurant locations.[3] JDK Management purchased Quaker Steak & Lube from TravelCenters for $5 million in early 2021. [1][4][5][6]
Awards
editThe restaurant has received over 70 awards in various national and regional competitions as of 2023.[7]
Media
editThe Pointe at North Fayette location in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was featured in the Travel Channel series Man v. Food.[8] The episode's challenge was to consume six "Atomic" chicken wings, the hottest wings on Quaker Steak's menu at the time.[8] Host Adam Richman completed the challenge in the allotted time and was awarded a commemorative bumper sticker and a place on the restaurant's "Atomic Wall of Flame".[9]
References
edit- ^ a b "Bloomsburg company buys restaurant chain". WHLM. April 30, 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
- ^ "Quaker Steak & Lube - History". Retrieved August 10, 2009.
- ^ "Bank says Quaker Steak in default on $4.3 million loan".
- ^ "TravelCenters of America Agrees to Sell Quaker Steak & Lube". Convenience Store News. February 26, 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
- ^ "TravelCenters of America Completes Sale of Standalone Restaurant Business". Convenience Store News. April 23, 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
- ^ Vanac, Mary (March 2, 2021). "TravelCenters of America is selling restaurants". Cleveland Business Journal. American City Business Journals. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
- ^ "Awards". Quaker Steak & Lube. Retrieved 2023-03-07.
- ^ a b "Quaker Steak & Lube featured on Travel Channel". Youngstown Vindicator. December 16, 2008. Archived from the original on August 24, 2009. Retrieved August 11, 2009.
- ^ Rozwadowski, Thomas (January 8, 2009). "Viewers win battle of "Man v. Food"". Green Bay Press-Gazette.
