Pumper Nic
| Company type | Franchise |
|---|---|
| Industry | Fast food |
| Founded | 1974 |
| Founder | Alfredo Lowenstein |
| Defunct | 1999 |
| Fate | Bankruptcy |
Area served | Argentina |
| Products | Hamburgers, French fries |
Pumper Nic—later abbreviated simply as Pumper—was a leading fast-food franchise in Argentina, established in 1974 by Alfredo Lowenstein, who was also behind Quickfood and the Paty hamburger brand. It earned the distinction of becoming Argentina's inaugural franchise in 1975, swiftly growing to encompass 70 outlets and generating annual sales of $60 million. Nevertheless, this rapid expansion placed significant pressure on management, resulting in uneven food standards among its locations.
Before Burger King entered the Argentine market, Pumper Nic's logo bore a strong resemblance to that of Burger King. When McDonald's and Burger King began operations in Argentina in 1986 and 1989 respectively, legal disputes with Burger King compelled Pumper Nic to rebrand and shorten its name.
In 1990, Alfredo Lowenstein transferred ownership to his children, who showed little enthusiasm for managing the company. Subsequently, the family sold the enterprise in 1995 and formed a partnership with Wendy's, which had recently started operations in Argentina. However, the franchise model collapsed by 1996, and new proprietors Goldstein and Rosenbaum were unsuccessful in revitalizing the brand. Facing stiff competition from international fast-food corporations, Pumper Nic filed for bankruptcy at the start of 1999.
Today, the sole remaining Pumper Nic restaurant remains open at Buenos Aires' Moreno Shopping Center.
Products
The Mobur, distinguished by its inclusion of an egg, was Pumper Nic's hallmark sandwich. A widely favored promotion offered customers two hamburgers at the price of one. Their French fries were marketed under the name Frenys. Other popular menu items included the Jaque (a ham and cheese sandwich) and Jaque'H.
Slogans
Their primary advertising phrase was "Pumper Nic, the new way of dining" ().
In popular culture
Nic the Hippo makes an appearance in the 2009 animated short film Logorama, depicted among animals fleeing during an earthquake in Los Angeles.