Taking a Howdy Beef n’ Burger History Deep Dive

Even though I was familiar with Howdy Doody, I had no idea that a Howdy Beef n’ Burger existed. Then I thought it might have been a one-shop tester until I read there were twenty-seven locations at their peak in the 1970s.

All of the Howdy Beef n’ Burgers were located in New England, which makes sense since I tracked down franchise ads in Bangor, Maine; Portland, Maine; and Portsmouth, New Hampshire newspapers.

I did have quite a few Howdy Beef n’ Burgers items on display at Burger Museum, including a free Beefburger card, yet I never came across the creepy little bunny giveaway of the Star Wars cups.

The History of Howdy Beef n’ Burger

Howdy Beef n’ Burger was a notable fast food chain started in the 1960s by William Rosenberg, the same entrepreneur who founded Dunkin’ Donuts. Inspired by the popular children’s television show Howdy Doody, which aired from 1947 to 1960, Rosenberg aimed to create a unique dining experience combining classic burgers’ appeal with a touch of nostalgic charm.

Origins and Expansion

The first Howdy Beef n’ Burger restaurant quickly gained traction once it opened in 1965. The chain’s initial growth was centered around Boston, but it eventually expanded to include at least 27 locations across New England. A significant aspect of the brand was its co-branded locations with Dunkin’ Donuts.

These combination stores, like the one in Concord, New Hampshire, owned by Sam Silverstein, offered breakfast options and lunch or dinner fare, maximizing customer convenience and increasing profitability. Customers could start their day with a coffee and doughnut from Dunkin’ Donuts and return later for a hearty burger meal from Howdy’s.

Howdy Beef n’ Burger Menu and Popularity

Howdy Beef n’ Burger‘s menu was diverse, catering to the tastes of New Englanders with offerings like the Big “B” (their version of the Big Mac or Whopper), roast beef sandwiches, fried chicken plates, and seafood dishes including haddock, shrimp, fish sandwiches, clam strips, and clam chowder. They even offered promotions such as four burgers for a dollar or twelve burgers for a dollar, making it a popular choice for families.

Memorable Locations and Anecdotes

Some memorable locations included one in Fall River on President Avenue and two in New Bedford owned by Michael Panagakos, with one on Purchase Street. Another was at 520 Southern Artery in Quincy, which opened in 1965 and was purchased by Mel Werman in 1975. This Quincy location experienced a fire in 1976 but reopened later that year with a grand celebration featuring state Sen. Arthur Tobin and offering cheeseburgers for 25 cents.

Howdy Beef n’ Burger Restaurant Locations

I’ve tracked down the addresses of 22 of the 27 Howdy Beef n’ Burger restaurant locations. I’m hoping someone might have a directory with the rest of them.

Connecticut

Address	City
447 Main Street	East Hartford, Connecticut
262 Route 12	Groton, Connecticut

Maine

Address	City
329 Main Street	Bangor, Maine
11 Elm Street	Biddeford, Maine
512 Canal Street	Lewiston, Maine
1209 Forest Avenue	Portland, Maine
262 Main Street	South Portland, Maine

Massachusetts

Address	City
140 Water Street	Fitchburg, Massachusetts
264 Waverly Street Route 135	Framingham, Massachusetts
290 Worcester Road	Framingham, Massachusetts
211 Winter Street	Haverhill, Massachusetts
516 Dutton Street	Lowell, Massachusetts
520 Southern Artery	Quincy, Massachusetts
507 Broadway	Saugus, Massachusetts
19 Veterans’ Blvd Rte 44	Taunton, Massachusetts
1345 VFW Parkway	West Roxbury, Massachusetts
187 Cambridge Road	Woburn, Massachusetts

New Hampshire

Address	City
121 South Main Street	Concord, New Hampshire
203 Lowell Road	Hudson, New Hampshire
189 West Street	Kenne, New Hampshire
234 Elm Street	Manchester, New Hampshire
200 Temple Street	Nashua, New Hampshire

Cultural Impact

The Howdy Beef n’ Burger chain left a lasting cultural impact on those who ate there and is fondly remembered for its catchy jingle:

Howdy Beefburger Drive-ins Serve up tasty treats.

Beefburgers made with just the finest meats.

Howdy Beefburger Drive-Ins, drive right up and get

Speedy speedy speedy service and the best beefburgers yet.

Customers nostalgically recall phrases like “Howdy, may I help you?” and the joy of clipping coupons for burger deals. The brand also created a sense of community and family fun by giving children Howdy Doody buttons with their meals.

Decline and Legacy

By the end of the 1970s, the Howdy Beef n’ Burger chain had declined, with many locations sold to other franchises such as McDonald’s and Wendy’s. The Quincy location, for example, was replaced by a Wendy’s in August 1979. Despite its eventual closure, Howdy Beef n’ Burger remains a cherished memory for many who experienced its unique blend of fast food and nostalgic charm during its heyday.