Guess who’s back? A sizzling fast-food favorite returns in South Jersey
- Replies 0
If you’ve ever craved a roast beef sandwich with a side of nostalgia, you’re in for a treat.
One of America’s most beloved fast-food brands—Roy Rogers—is riding back into town, rekindling memories of family road trips, cowboy hats, and the legendary Fixin’s Bar.
And this time, the comeback is real, starting with a high-profile grand opening in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
Roy Rogers Restaurants, once a dominant name in American fast food, is making a confident resurgence after decades of decline.
Known for its unique “Triple Threat” menu—featuring burgers, roast beef, and fried chicken—the chain once boasted more than 640 locations nationwide.
The brand’s signature DIY (do it yourself) Fixin’s Bar made every meal customizable and personal, giving diners control over their perfect sandwich.
But the ‘90s brought stormy skies. Marriott, which originally developed the chain, sold it to Hardee’s in 1990 for $365 million.
That move led to a mass rebranding—over 150 Roy Rogers locations were converted to Hardee’s, while hundreds more were sold to chains like McDonald’s and Wendy’s.
By the early 2000s, Roy Rogers had nearly vanished from the map.
In 2002, brothers Jim and Pete Plamondon Jr. stepped in to buy the Roy Rogers brand back from Hardee’s. For them, this was more than a business decision—it was a personal endeavor.
Their father, Pete Sr., had left Marriott in the 1980s to open his own Roy Rogers franchise in Frederick, Maryland.
Over the past two decades, the family has quietly rebuilt the brand with care, emphasizing quality ingredients, nostalgic charm, and regional expansion.
As of today, Roy Rogers operates 24 company-owned and 16 franchise locations in seven states, primarily across the Mid-Atlantic.
Also read: Cava expands in 2025, bringing Mediterranean flavors to more communities
Roy Rogers opened its first area restaurant in over 30 years, and fans didn’t hesitate to show up—in droves.
Lines of cars wrapped around the building, and walk-up customers stood through sweltering 100-degree heat for a taste of their childhood.
Among them was Cherry Hill local Miguel Rivera, who fondly recalled stopping at Roy Rogers during road trips as a kid.
“I wanted to have it again,” he said, waiting nearly an hour for his order—proof that nostalgia still holds serious power.
Marc Orgiefsky, who showed up at midnight to be first in line, reminisced about working at the Moorestown Mall, where Roy Rogers was once a staple.
“I used to work at the Moorestown Mall years ago and there was a Roy Rogers in the mall and the food there was great,” he told reporters.
So what sets Roy Rogers apart in an era of endless fast-food options?
According to company co-president Jim Plamondon, it’s all about quality and choice.
“New guests will be pleased with our diverse menu and quality beef, burgers and chicken you can’t find anywhere else,” he said in a statement.
The restaurant’s “Triple Threat” concept gives customers the freedom to choose between three core proteins—or mix and match.
Also read: Are you missing out on America’s cheapest fast-food chain?
And for those who remember, the Fixin’s Bar still delivers that old-school charm with fresh toppings and sauces to make each meal uniquely yours.
Roy Rogers’ origins date back to 1968 in Falls Church, Virginia.
After acquiring the RoBee’s chain, Marriott needed a new name.
Thanks to a board member’s friendship with the legendary cowboy entertainer Roy Rogers, the brand found its identity—and galloped into the national spotlight.
The chain became a household name throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s.
Despite the brand’s decline following the Hardee’s acquisition, the Plamondons’ dedication to revitalizing Roy Rogers is now paying off.
The Cherry Hill debut is only the beginning. According to Joe Briglia, director of real estate and franchise development, fan enthusiasm has been overwhelming—and the company plans to meet that demand.
“We've received an overwhelming number of requests from loyal Roy Rogers fans for a location in this area, and we're delighted to make it a reality,” Briglia shared.
“We plan to build on this success and expand even further in the market.”
So if you haven’t seen a Roy Rogers near you yet—don’t worry. The cowboy is saddling up for a wider ride.
Read next: A historic fast-food spot is going dark—why this closure hits differently
Did you grow up eating Roy Rogers? Do you still dream about that perfect roast beef sandwich stacked high at the Fixin’s Bar? Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a curious newcomer, we want to hear your Roy Rogers stories. Drop a comment below and be part of the revival. Because sometimes, the best flavors come with a side of memory.
One of America’s most beloved fast-food brands—Roy Rogers—is riding back into town, rekindling memories of family road trips, cowboy hats, and the legendary Fixin’s Bar.
And this time, the comeback is real, starting with a high-profile grand opening in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
Roy Rogers Restaurants, once a dominant name in American fast food, is making a confident resurgence after decades of decline.
Known for its unique “Triple Threat” menu—featuring burgers, roast beef, and fried chicken—the chain once boasted more than 640 locations nationwide.
The brand’s signature DIY (do it yourself) Fixin’s Bar made every meal customizable and personal, giving diners control over their perfect sandwich.
One of America’s most beloved fast-food brands, Roy Rogers, is riding back into town. Image Source: 6abc Philadelphia / YouTube
But the ‘90s brought stormy skies. Marriott, which originally developed the chain, sold it to Hardee’s in 1990 for $365 million.
That move led to a mass rebranding—over 150 Roy Rogers locations were converted to Hardee’s, while hundreds more were sold to chains like McDonald’s and Wendy’s.
By the early 2000s, Roy Rogers had nearly vanished from the map.
Reviving a legacy: The Plamondon family’s mission
The story might have ended there, if not for the Plamondon family.In 2002, brothers Jim and Pete Plamondon Jr. stepped in to buy the Roy Rogers brand back from Hardee’s. For them, this was more than a business decision—it was a personal endeavor.
Their father, Pete Sr., had left Marriott in the 1980s to open his own Roy Rogers franchise in Frederick, Maryland.
Over the past two decades, the family has quietly rebuilt the brand with care, emphasizing quality ingredients, nostalgic charm, and regional expansion.
As of today, Roy Rogers operates 24 company-owned and 16 franchise locations in seven states, primarily across the Mid-Atlantic.
Also read: Cava expands in 2025, bringing Mediterranean flavors to more communities
Cherry Hill opening: A homecoming decades in the making
On June 25, the long-awaited return to South Jersey officially began.Roy Rogers opened its first area restaurant in over 30 years, and fans didn’t hesitate to show up—in droves.
Lines of cars wrapped around the building, and walk-up customers stood through sweltering 100-degree heat for a taste of their childhood.
Among them was Cherry Hill local Miguel Rivera, who fondly recalled stopping at Roy Rogers during road trips as a kid.
“I wanted to have it again,” he said, waiting nearly an hour for his order—proof that nostalgia still holds serious power.
Marc Orgiefsky, who showed up at midnight to be first in line, reminisced about working at the Moorestown Mall, where Roy Rogers was once a staple.
“I used to work at the Moorestown Mall years ago and there was a Roy Rogers in the mall and the food there was great,” he told reporters.
So what sets Roy Rogers apart in an era of endless fast-food options?
According to company co-president Jim Plamondon, it’s all about quality and choice.
“New guests will be pleased with our diverse menu and quality beef, burgers and chicken you can’t find anywhere else,” he said in a statement.
The restaurant’s “Triple Threat” concept gives customers the freedom to choose between three core proteins—or mix and match.
Also read: Are you missing out on America’s cheapest fast-food chain?
And for those who remember, the Fixin’s Bar still delivers that old-school charm with fresh toppings and sauces to make each meal uniquely yours.
Roy Rogers’ origins date back to 1968 in Falls Church, Virginia.
After acquiring the RoBee’s chain, Marriott needed a new name.
Thanks to a board member’s friendship with the legendary cowboy entertainer Roy Rogers, the brand found its identity—and galloped into the national spotlight.
The chain became a household name throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s.
Despite the brand’s decline following the Hardee’s acquisition, the Plamondons’ dedication to revitalizing Roy Rogers is now paying off.
Roy Rogers opened its first area restaurant in over 30 years, and fans didn’t hesitate to show up—in droves. Image Source: CBS Philadelphia / YouTube
The Cherry Hill debut is only the beginning. According to Joe Briglia, director of real estate and franchise development, fan enthusiasm has been overwhelming—and the company plans to meet that demand.
“We've received an overwhelming number of requests from loyal Roy Rogers fans for a location in this area, and we're delighted to make it a reality,” Briglia shared.
“We plan to build on this success and expand even further in the market.”
So if you haven’t seen a Roy Rogers near you yet—don’t worry. The cowboy is saddling up for a wider ride.
Read next: A historic fast-food spot is going dark—why this closure hits differently
