Zaks Diners
{{Short description|British restaurant chain}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Zaks Diners
| logo = ZaksDiners.jpg
| logo_size =
| type = Privately-owned
| genre = Restaurant chain
| foundation = 1976
| founder = Harvey Platt
| owner = Chris Carr and Ian Hacon
| homepage = {{URL|http://www.zaks.uk.com}}
}}
Zaks Diners is a British restaurant chain of American-themed diners, founded as a takeaway business in 1976 by Harvey Platt. The chain is based in Norwich, England. They are the second-largest American-themed diner chain in the UK, behind OK Diner.
History
In May 1976, local musician and entrepreneur Harvey Platt felt that Norwich needed "a slice of America" and purchased an old café caravan, and began selling burgers wrapped in tin-oil and cooked to order.{{Cite web |date=2020-02-03 |title=From caravan burgers to a Norwich institution: The rise of Zaks restaurant |url=https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/business/20763128.caravan-burgers-norwich-institution-rise-zaks-restaurant/ |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=Eastern Daily Press |language=en}} In 1979, Zaks opened their first physical restaurant, also in Norwich.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}
In 1998, the chain was acquired by Blue Sky Leisure.{{Cite web |last=restaurantonline.co.uk |date=2014-04-21 |title=American diner trend continues: Zaks announces first franchise |url=https://www.restaurantonline.co.uk/Article/2014/04/22/American-diner-trend-continues-Zaks-announces-first-franchise-Norfolk |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=restaurantonline.co.uk |language=en-GB}}
In July 2013, the chain announced its plans to begin franchising locations.{{Cite web |last=restaurantonline.co.uk |date=2013-07-03 |title=Norfolk restaurant chain Zaks plans 30 neighbourhood restaurants in five years |url=https://www.restaurantonline.co.uk/Article/2013/07/04/Zaks-restaurant-in-Norfolk-launches-franchise-scheme |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=restaurantonline.co.uk |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2014-04-22 |title=American diner brand Zaks to open fourth site |url=https://www.thecaterer.com/news/restaurant/american-diner-brand-zaks-to-open-fourth-site |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=The Caterer |language=en}}
In January 2020, Chris Carr and Ian Hacon purchased the chain from Blue Sky Leisure.{{Cite web |date=2022-08-22 |title=Burger business Zaks returns to Great Yarmouth |url=https://www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk/things-to-do/food-reviews/20895413.burger-business-zaks-returns-great-yarmouth/ |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=Great Yarmouth Mercury |language=en}} Later in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the chain reverted to selling from caravans again whilst normal trading was suspended.{{Cite web |last=Balls |first=Richard |date=2020-11-16 |title=Iconic Norfolk brand Zaks to return to its roots |url=https://newanglia.co.uk/iconic-norfolk-brand-zaks-to-return-to-its-roots/ |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=New Anglia |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2023-08-09 |title='Taking Zaks to the people': Legendary diner launches touring food van |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/taking-zaks-people-legendary-diner-121300430.html |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-GB}}
In August 2022, the chain purchased the iconic Yankee Traveller in Great Yarmouth.{{Cite web |date=2022-08-22 |title=Burger business Zaks returns to Great Yarmouth |url=https://www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk/things-to-do/food-reviews/20895413.burger-business-zaks-returns-great-yarmouth/ |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=Great Yarmouth Mercury |language=en}}
See also
References
{{reflist|30em}}