Winky's

Winky's

Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Fast-food restaurants
Founded	1962 (1962)
Founders	Harold Erenstein Bernard Erenstein
Defunct	Template:End date and age
Fate	Bankruptcy
Headquarters	Sewickley, Pennsylvania, U.S
Number of locations	42 (peak in 1977)
Area served	Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio
Products	Hamburgers
Parent	Jiffy Foods (formerly Jiffy Steak)

Winky's Hamburgers was a fast-food hamburger chain serving the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. Established in 1962 by siblings Harold and Bernard Erenstein, the brand was recognized for slogans such as "Fast Food Cheap" and "Winky's Makes You Happy To be Hungry." Their offerings included hamburgers priced at 15 cents and sandwiches like The Big Wink, The Great One, and The Ground Rounder, along with hot dogs. A notable advertising campaign featured a puppet monster in television commercials emphasizing the chain’s local roots.

History

Originating as an offshoot of the Erensteins' Jiffy Steak Company—which distributed fresh and frozen meats across 31 states during the 1960s—Winky's was launched in February 1962 in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania. Inspired by McDonald's expansion through large-scale hamburger patty procurement, the brothers utilized their own meat supply to establish competitive pricing for their fast-food venture.

By 1965, Winky's had grown to 14 outlets with an additional four in development, primarily operated by the company but beginning to explore franchising opportunities. Within two years, the chain expanded to 32 locations throughout the Pittsburgh area with plans for nine more, targeting national franchise growth. At its zenith in 1977, Winky's maintained 42 restaurants across Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio.

Facing financial difficulties in the early 1980s, Winky's filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 1982, signaling the decline of this once-prominent regional fast-food enterprise.

See also

• List of defunct fast-food restaurant chains
• List of hamburger restaurants