Zip's Drive-in

Zip's Northwest, Inc.

File:Zip's Logo 2.svg
Company type	Private
Industry	Fast Food
Founded	1953 (1953) Kennewick, Washington, U.S.
Headquarters	Spokane Valley, WA
Number of locations	39
Area served	Inland Northwest
Key people	Robert "Zip" Zuber (Founder)
Website	www.zipsdrivein.com

Zip's Drive In (often simply "Zip's") is a dining chain located in the Inland Northwest area of the United States. Established initially as a drive-in eatery, the brand expanded its footprint throughout the region during the 1960s and 1970s. Zip's stands out as one of the few drive-in restaurants that effectively evolved into a fast food establishment by implementing drive-through service lanes at an early stage.

History

Robert "Zip" Zuber founded the company in 1953 in Kennewick, Washington. Initially, Zip's catered mainly to employees at the Hanford Site and other nuclear-related industries within the Tri-Cities vicinity, operating under the slogan "Thrift and Swift". Responding to increasing customer demand, Zuber launched a second outlet near Gonzaga University in Spokane, which quickly became popular with college students. Following several changes in ownership, Ed Minor, Don Kelly, and Harold Fettig took over and expanded the business throughout the 1960s and 1970s.

In its early years during the 1960s, Zip's functioned as a conventional American drive-in featuring carhops. However, with the rise of fast food rivals in the 1970s causing many drive-ins to falter, Minor and Kelly introduced some of the Northwest’s pioneering drive-thru lanes. This innovative approach rejuvenated the brand and contributed to Zip's enduring presence as one of the region’s few remaining local restaurant chains.

Locations

Currently, Zip's operates across eight counties in Washington and Idaho, a reduction from its peak presence in eleven counties. In 2017, there were 40 outlets serving the Inland Northwest. Often likened to In-N-Out Burger due to its regional concentration and dedicated clientele, Zip's began in the Tri-Cities before extending to Spokane, the Idaho Panhandle, and the Palouse. The chain remains privately held rather than franchised, with variations in menu offerings and operating hours depending on location; some restaurants provide breakfast options. A branch opened in Boise, Idaho was later closed amid the economic downturn of the Great Recession.

Menu

A hallmark of Zip's menu is its prominent use of tartar sauce, reflecting distinctive local taste preferences, complemented by well-liked milkshakes. The chain manufactures approximately 30 gallons of fry sauce and 40 gallons of tartar sauce weekly and also retails these sauces for customers to enjoy at home.

See also

• List of hamburger restaurants