From 500 to just three in Scotland, this restaurant is a distant memory for Glasgow.

When the hamburger arrived in the UK, there was no McDonald’s or Burger King. No interactive kiosk where you could place your order and no screen informing you that order number x is ready.

One of the first experiences of eating ‘fast food’ – albeit still with table service and a knife and fork – came to Glasgow in the 1960s.

(Image: Newsquest) It was called Wimpy and had expanded from a shop in London to a global brand by the 1970s. At its height, Wimpy was serving from 500 restaurants across the country.


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Ask the younger generations now where they go for their fast-food fix, they’d have a barrage of answers but none of them Wimpy. They’d probably ask what Wimpy is – unless they live in Kilmarnock, Fraserburgh or Dingwall.

These random locations are home to the final three Wimpys in Scotland. The brand is still going 70 years on, but in Glasgow, it is a distant memory.

(Image: Newsquest)

There were a handful of Wimpy restaurants in the city, most notably on Union Street, Ingram Street and Sauchiehall Street.

It was the perfect spot for professionals to grab a bite during their lunch break, families could have a relatively stress-free meal with something the kids would enjoy, and it was the place for a birthday party.


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Staff would bring burgers wrapped in paper and soft drinks in Styrofoam cups to your table (which was bolted down) and everyone looked forward to a special appearance from the iconic Beefeater mascot, Mr Wimpy – the original Ronald McDonald.

(Image: Newsquest)

In terms of food, Wimpy was quirkier than a Big Mac or six chicken nuggets. Beyond the humble cheeseburger at 21p, you could enjoy a ‘special grill’ featuring the iconic sausage bender for 42p, and extra fried potatoes for 9p.

Round off your meal with a knickerbocker glory for 25p and you’re good to go.

Wimpy menu in the 1970sWimpy menu in the 1970s (Image: Newsquest)


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Fellow fast-food giants have moved with the times and introduced self-service ordering, drive-thru, sleek new décor and designated Deliveroo pick-up spots.

The McDonald’s birthday party generation of the 2000s mourns the long-gone ‘party place’ play areas, Ronald McDonald and Hamburglar statues and those mini music players which blurted out The Black-Eyed Peas, Girls Aloud and Crazy Frog.

Visiting the few remaining Wimpys, however, is like stepping back in time. With its bolted-down tables and chairs, laminated menus at tables and of course, the cutlery, dining at Wimpy is still a trip back to childhood.

(Image: Newsquest)