The Arkansas chain, Minute Man, is making a comeback! With only one location left, time nearly ran out on this beloved eatery but another Minute Man is one the way. Let’s learn a little history about the fast food originator and work up an appetite for this new location.

Minute Man may have started with humble beginnings but the restaurant completely changed how we look at fast food today.

Google/Minute Man Hamburgers The original Minute Man opened in Little Rock on May 26, 1948. The first store began as a 24-hour service coffee shop but was converted to a quick-serve eatery in 1956. Minute Man didn’t stay a Little Rock secret for long though! There were a couple of reasons why the restaurant concept was so successful.

Wesley T. Hall, the founder of Minute Man, was a king of market strategies.

Google/Minute Man Hamburgers The entrepreneur was the first to use microwaves in store which were used for his fruit pie desserts. He also invented “Magic Meals” for kids - before McDonald’s rolled our their Happy Meals! He later sold this concept to Burger King. In addition to the BK connection, Hall also coined the term “Old-fashioned hamburgers," which he sold to Wendy’s. If this wasn’t enough, Hall partnered with Coca-Cola to create a one-of-a-kind glass that was given away with a drink purchase.

Although it’s subjective to say what the very first fast food restaurant in the nation was, Minute Man has a fair claim to the title. Many of the concepts we take for granted today were instilled by Hall and his Minute Man restaurants.

In about 25 years the restaurant completely took over Arkansas.

Google/Minute Man Hamburgers No one could resist the charcoal-grilled burgers and fast service. Between 1948-1974 Minute Man exploded in Arkansas and surrounding six states with 57 locations at its peak.

Today only one Minute Man remains…

Google/Minute Man Hamburgers The last one left is Minute Man #14 in El Dorado. It’s been ran by Ms. Linda McGoogan for over 40 years!

…though that’s about to change!

Facebook/Minute Man Memories Perry J. Smith, the founder of Matchbox Food Group, has partnered with Ms. McGoogan to relaunch the Minute Man franchise. The first new location (with hopefully more to follow) will be in Jacksonville, AR. The eatery should be opened by July.

For more information on all things Minute Man, head to their website.

Do you remember the old Minute Man restaurants? Reminisce with us in the comments below!

Google/Minute Man Hamburgers

The original Minute Man opened in Little Rock on May 26, 1948. The first store began as a 24-hour service coffee shop but was converted to a quick-serve eatery in 1956. Minute Man didn’t stay a Little Rock secret for long though! There were a couple of reasons why the restaurant concept was so successful.

The entrepreneur was the first to use microwaves in store which were used for his fruit pie desserts. He also invented “Magic Meals” for kids - before McDonald’s rolled our their Happy Meals! He later sold this concept to Burger King. In addition to the BK connection, Hall also coined the term “Old-fashioned hamburgers," which he sold to Wendy’s. If this wasn’t enough, Hall partnered with Coca-Cola to create a one-of-a-kind glass that was given away with a drink purchase.

Although it’s subjective to say what the very first fast food restaurant in the nation was, Minute Man has a fair claim to the title. Many of the concepts we take for granted today were instilled by Hall and his Minute Man restaurants.

No one could resist the charcoal-grilled burgers and fast service. Between 1948-1974 Minute Man exploded in Arkansas and surrounding six states with 57 locations at its peak.

The last one left is Minute Man #14 in El Dorado. It’s been ran by Ms. Linda McGoogan for over 40 years!

Facebook/Minute Man Memories

Perry J. Smith, the founder of Matchbox Food Group, has partnered with Ms. McGoogan to relaunch the Minute Man franchise. The first new location (with hopefully more to follow) will be in Jacksonville, AR. The eatery should be opened by July.

For more information on all things Minute Man, head to their website.

We’re thankful Minute Man is still here but not every eatery is as lucky. Here are some of Arkansas’ lost but not forgotten beloved restaurants.

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Address: Jacksonville, AR, USA