Matchbook Monday: Red Robin Restaurants

Today’s Matchbook Monday comes from a local Seattle burger chain, Red Robin.

Known for its extensive menu of burgers, and serving bottomless steak fries, Red Robin was first opened on Eastlake beneath the southern end of the University Bridge. It was first a tavern named Sam’s.  The owner was a fan of the lyrics, “When the red, red robin goes bob, bob, bobbin’ along” and he eventually incorporated the lyrics into the name of tavern with Sam’s Red Robin.

The tavern eventually became more of a restaurant, and Sam’s was dropped from the name.  A local Seattle restaurant developer purchased the Red Robin, developed the concept of gourmet burgers, and set the stage for franchising the concept.  The menu has expanded beyond burgers, but still remains fairly true to the original concept.  It is a family friendly restaurant.

Although the restaurants have been through their ups and downs, there are currently over 400 Red Robin locations across the United States and Canada.  It’s is publicly traded on the NASDAQ exchange.

Photo credit:  personal collection