I am a life long resident of Syracuse, NY. My first job was Carrols just south of downtown Syracuse. I worked there thought my 4 years of high school. I also trained for manager and work in the Marshal St store (Syracuse University). I spent almost 5 years at various Carols. I later worked at Henrys Hamburger in Buffalo, NY and later at McDonalds in Syracuse.
Carrol's in Europe was mainly in Finland. Carrol's opened in Helsinki 1975 and it was the first american hamburger chain in Finland. Finnish operation stopped in 2012. Carrol's operated in Sweden 1974 - 1976 but then they were renamed "Clock" hamburgers. Carrols was also in some other countries. The Finnish operator had perhaps a paragraph in contract that if USA operation stops the Finnish operation can continue (for free(?)). McDonald's came earlier to Sweden than to Finland. Finnish McDonald's opened in 1984. Carrol's was big chain in Finland between 1975 - 2012 with lots of TV commercials. Commercials were shot in Finland with USA look. At 4:24 is dark street and central Helsinki Carrol's restaurant. There is word "tuplajuusto" in ad, it is in English "double cheese".
Thanks so much for this rewind. I was somewhere between 5-7 years old when my family would go to Carrols in upstate New York. It's wonderful to hear that the company did not dissolve. I loved seeing this video and reminiscing about my time there as a little girl. : )
As a kid I got to the Carrol's in Schenectady as often as I could. Loved the Club Burger. If I had been old enough to drive I would have been there a lot more often!
I remember Carrols (I grew up in upstate ny). During high school, my first job was working for Burger King and it was explained to me that it used to be Carrols.
When I was quite young I wanted to invest in a stock, I had $200. While I was with my dad at a Carroll's in Latham NY', I said why not invest here? My dad said talk to the manager, so this 11-year old did. Interesting what he said. The hamburger chain was losing a lot of money but they had some movie theaters near Buffalo that made money and they had signed this deal with Burger King. I bought shares at 2 5/8 and right before college sold at 27.. paid for food all 4 years!!! (btw yes, I went into investing). So happy this was posted, brought back all sorts of memories.
Best place to go after football game, mid 1970s New City Rockland County N.Y! When Clarkstown North played Clarkstown South the winner had bragging rights for the day at Carol‘s🤔😁👍👍👍
Thank you for doing this video! I am originally from the CNY area and when I was a little girl, Carroll was the the number one fast food place my family went to. I still have some collectors items from carrols that my parents bought for me as a child. Then one day my family's favorite Carroll's closed and reopened weeks later as a burger king. It is still in business 43 years later and was recently remodeled. I always wonder why this occurred. Thank you for your informative video.
Another great video! I avoid mc'ds like the plague and will always go for the BK. I noticed that they put onions on the patties before they were flipped. The reason White Castle taste so good, is throwing onions on the grill, then the meat. have a blessed day ", keep the faith people, and keep on keeping on"
Here in Attleboro Massachusetts we had a Carrols restaurant on Washington Street (Route 1) that lasted until late 1970s. Carrols had the absolute best burgers, fries, and shakes!! Today the site where Carrols was once located is now occupied by, yes you probably guessed it, Burger King. I have wonderful memories of eating many meals at Carrols. I also found a Carrols restaurant in Middletown, RI which of course no longer exists.
My mom worked at the Carrols in Liverpool, NY in the late 60's while my father was in Vietnam. She saved every dime and they invested that money to pay cash for a house.
I'm from Albany NY, my dad was from Rennsealer NY just a short ride across the Hudson River from Albany...I will never forget the mid seventies and that orange colored building on 9j on the way to my dad's house.That would be Carrolls, I was about 5 then and can remember it like yesterday....I can also remember it was across the street from Joy department store... Saturdays with my dad will never leave me, even at 50+yrs old...Rest easy Dad, I will NEVER ever forget those times.
Wow I remember Carrols when I was a kid, it was located in North Andover Massachusetts in the Spree toy store plaza, some time in the late 70s is changed into Burger king, thanks for the great video, keep up the great work.
My Dad used to pick my brother and I up from school every day and take us to Carrol's on Main Street in Niagara Falls, NY. We liked Carolls more than Henrys hamburgers. Carolls restayrants ended up converting to Burger King in the late 1970s. There were 3 Carrols and 2 Henrys in Niagara Falls. Boy, we were spoiled.
Never saw a Carrols, but I LOVE the boomerang building!! Mid Century Modern Googie. The model is beautiful! Looks like they changed building styles as time passed. Please tell us about the model in your video!
Thanks for bringing back memories of Carrols. I grew up in Brockport, NY, a suburb of Rochester, during the 70s where once a week, our family were treated to Carrols for a bite to eat. As a kid the food was great but what stood out the most was when they gave away free "Classic Illustrated" comic books. I read stories of Ivanhoe, Count of Monte Cristo, Moby Dick and other classic Stories. Also every year during the Christmas season, Carrols would give away a giant 6ft Christmas stocking full of toys. I never won but they were fond memories. Thank you for the trip down memory lane.
Really enjoyed this video. Now I finally understand what happened to Carrols, and what their relationship is with Burger King. One of the photos you show in the video was one of the Carrols that I used to go to in New Windsor,(actually Vails Gate NY) and it brought back alot of memories. Thanks!
West Henrietta rd Henrietta NY my dad would take me there and I always got the delicious club burger. I miss Woolworth diner counter in Rochester, best pizza slices i ever had
I remember Carrols in Attleboro, Massachusetts. It was like the turquoise and orange one. Us teenagers would meet there 2 or 3 times per week. I had a 62 Chevy Impala.
My Grandmother loved the Carrols fish sandwich. I remember when they switched it over to Burger King. When I was high school I worked at the BK and one day I signed for the delivery of frozen burgers and the slip said Carrols, so I knew the story, but enjoyed the video anyway. I think that these fast food chains would do themselves a big favor in going back to the old clean style and architecture of the old Carrols, Burger Chef, Etc.
I've always thought it was interesting to see Employees in Carrol's owned Burger King Restaurants wearing "Carrols' uniforms and hats. As the largest Franchise owner of Burger King, Carrol's carries a lot of power and weight, It's been interesting to see them always maintain their unique identity among Burger King. They indeed have leverage with BK if things don't go the way they want it to go.
Stumbled upon this channel and now I'm completely ignoring my work lol it's worth it, great videos. If I can make two suggestions, could you cover Hot and Now or Top Hats? They were both similar to White Castle.
In the early 1960s, in the Albany - Schenectady - Troy area of upstate New York, I recall Carrols running a promotion in conjunction with local top 40 radio station WPTR, giving out textbook covers to customers, carrying advertising for both the station and the restaurant. Our high school required students to provide their own book covers. Typically, students bought them in the school store or made their own from paper grocery bags. The "free" book covers promoted both the radio station and the restaurant in the school, where advertising was otherwise prohibited. A Google search turned up a book cover, for sale on ebay, from a similar promotion in conjunction with radio station WBBF in Rochester, NY. Carrols book covers probably show up from time to time on ebay and other auction websites.
O-M-G - suddenly zapped into my past! As a very very young man I was an asst mgr. at I think a brand new Carroll's on the main drag sort of between Brockport and Rochester NY across from a Hess gas station. I still recall the Clubburger as the best tasting double-stacked burger I had ever eaten - way better than Whopper, Big Mac etc. I wish I could have one now! Terrible that the chain got swallowed up by BK, not too long after I left. The mgr was Keith, in case he reads this. I was super-young, the future was wide open, and all things were possible.....
In addition to the Batavia location, there was one in Cortland, NY..that closed down around the same time. The Cortland location sat empty for decades, and we would drive right beside it to get to Mr. Donut :)
I remember Carrol’s in my home town in north western Pa. their burgers were great. I enjoy your channel. I grew up in Erie, Pa. Red Barn was a serious burger franchise back in the 60s and 70s. What ever happened to Red Barn?
I am truly a geezer, for I remember a Carrols location in St. Louis Co. Mo. when the burger was 15 cents with the 10 cent fries as well. This must have been near '60-'61. (Another thing gone is the 'cent' symbol on my cell phone keyboard!)
In Syracuse on Erie Blvd. in the 1970's there was McDonald's , Carrol's and Red Barn. Maybe I am wrong but I think Carrol's were the first to give out toys. I remember getting a top in a Carrol's bag going there when I was younger. The location was never converted to BK. Burger King was built farther down the Blvd. The site of Carrol's was used for several restaurants over the years and today a Texas Roadhouse sits on the site.
Hi Drew , I remember well the Carrol's and Red barn on Erie blvd, brings back many memories....there was a mini putting green and kiddie ride park set back close to them along with a barber shop where I got my first "baldie sour" haircut. I remember crying my eyes out over that experience and then to placate me Mom took me to Carrol's instead of red Barn due to the free toy ad I saw on tv. I also remember that in Mattydale on Rt 11 there was a Red Barn right next to a Carrol's ...and today they are both gone and a BK occupies the spot. So many memories of both those places to eat as well as Henry's Hamburgs which sat at the bottom of our street at new Court Rd close to the old GM plant. Those were the days!!
My family of 7 loved Carrols growing up in the 1970s on long island, specifically Hauppauge. When mom had a migraine, Dad would stop at Carrols for burgers, fries and really thick milkshakes. The quality way surpasses McDonald's.
I lived in N. Syracuse for few years in the 60's and remember going to the Carrolls at Northern Lights...but you neglected to mention the interesting side bar story of when Slotnick built twin theaters on the other side of the intersection in about 65, and I saw several films there at the time including the well-known film "20 million years BC" that starred Raquel Welch! The site is now sadly abandoned...
Seriously remembered being a 5 year old in 1973 when I would always get a burger with an orange drink on a regular basis at the end of the week from kindergarten. It was in Norwalk, CT
I know you're being inundated with restaurant suggestions and I too have a few. It can only mean you're doing a great job. How about Tony's Giant Submarines (A Hudson Valley NY chain in the '60's & '70's) and Roto-Beef. Both were run by the same franchiser during that time frame. Roto-Beef was similar to Neba's, another upstate NY roast Beef chain. Thanks and keep up the good work.
A great chain restaurant that is totally gone was "Love's Woodpit BBQ". I miss their BBQ Heart's Delight Platters with Cheese Bread and fantastic BBQ Beans. A&W Root-beer Stands were everywhere in my youth, but I haven't seen one in over a decade. I know they still exist, but they are a pale shadow of the giant they once were. I miss the Ice Cold Mugs filled with great Root-beer that wasn't toooo sweet, but was a perfect taste on a warm summer day. The A&W cans and plastic bottles available these days are way too sweet and don't taste that good.
Sorry Dimitri, you have the wrong restaurant chain. Loves' Wood Pit BBQ started in 1948 and closed in 2007. (Per their website) All that is left is a website that still sells their wonderful BBQ sauces. From their website: "WE ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS! Love's BBQ has been in continuous operation since 1948. We are offering our barbecue sauces for sale on this website. Soon we expect to expand our product line, to sell more of the products you remember from our restaurants." "For more than 60 years, Love's has offered high quality, flavorful BBQ in a family style environment. Now's your opportunity to be part of the valued tradition and exciting future of this well-known brand name." Their BBQ Beans were the best I ever tasted and having worked in a Love's from 1972-1975, I still salivate thinking about the BBQ Beans, Hearts Delight Platter and their cheese-bread. 1/3 of the BBQ beans was coarsely ground LEAN trimmings from the pork and beef, (very little fat) 1/3 beans and 1/3 Loves sauce (A special mixture of the spicy and the sweet mild BBQ sauce) The BBQ Beans were cooked over a low open wood flame for well over 24hrs before being served. (The brisket smoked for a minimum of 14hrs) Their Corporate Office is currently located in Diamond Bar California. (probably just a small warehouse) lovesbbq.com/main.html
People can be a problem sometimes, Baskin Robbins won't make Root Beer Floats, because too many People have their own idea of what one is. They sell you scoops of icecream and sell you a bottle of root beer on the side
Not sure whether Stuckeys is still in business...would be a great subject though, every north easterner baby boomer has memories of this great chain driving down to florida on family trips...
Out here in Arizona, both Stuckeys and Nickerson Farms were taken over by a company called Bowlin's, which still operates some of the old locations. The ones closest to me contain a Dairy Queen outlet for their food items, while the Bowlin's Trading Post name is attached more to the gift shop section.
I really enjoy these. Do you remember Wagon Ho, Mr. Swiss, Royal Castle, Biff Burger, there's still a Biff Burger here in St. Petersburg, Lum's hotdogs. I'm 53 and I remember these well.
My first job while still in High School was at a Carrols, in Penfield, New York, about 1967 or so. I couldn't "cut the mustard" though - got too flustered by the long lines of customers, and having to "do the math" in my head & count change back to the customer. But I loved the food, and still remember the Club burger fondly - the sauce made it a sloppy, but delicious mess. And - the Whopper never came close to the taste of a Club burger. Fond memories even though I was fired!
@3:18 this building is hauntingly reminiscent of the old Highway 51 location in Pineville, N.C around 1981, and also our area felt the 2012 takeover from Carrol's as many quality changes (mostly good) took place and most buildings were updated.
When I was a little boy my family would go to the Batavia location every Friday. I remember when you would get a cartoon character glass with the purchase of a soft drink. I believe my Mother still has all the glasses they gave away. Such a great memory of childhood. :-)
I remember - as a VERY little kid - eating in Carrol's in Latham, NY. The funny/sad thing is, a McDonald's wasn't far from the location. Anyway, the building that housed Carrol's still exists. It is now a VisionWorks store. But the big picture window I recall eating near with my parents and brothers is still prevalent.
Shout out to Batavia NY! Our Carrols sold those Bugs Bunny characters glasses that EVERYBODY had in their kitchen cabinets in the late 70's. One other thing I remember about the Batavia Carrols, is that someone was ALWAYS mopping the floor. You would think "Great, a clean restaurant!", but instead it was "a restaurant with a wet and slippery floor all the time!"
Don't know if this will ring any bells outside of SoCal, but I'd like to see a segment exploring whatever became of Currie's ice cream, with their Mile-Hi cones. (My mom worked at one in Newhall in the sixties.)
I remember the Carrols on East State street in Olean NY. I've since relocated to the west coast and am struck by the similarity in the architecture of the In & Out chain to the Carrols buildings. Look at the yellow "angle" of the sign and compare to the orange angle on some Carrols buildings. We had another small local fast-food restaurant called Red Barn. Would you happen to know any history of this resturant?
There was a Carrol's in East Stroudsburg, PA at the Pocono Plaza shopping center a block up from the Veterans Memorial Bridge which was called the Interborough Bridge back in the day. There were also several locations in and around Scranton, PA. I believe there was one on Route 6 (now Business 6) across the road from Sugerman's. I remember the burgers and fries at Carrol's being tasty and was disappointed when they were converted.
I recall going to Carrols as a young kid in Syracuse. West Genesee St I think, maybe Eire Blvd? I was too young to know the menu, but the food was good! I remember it "turning into" a BK. Very strange old memories
You should do a video about happen to Showbiz Pizza an I love your videos it seems to me in all your videos so far that Mcdonalds didn't want other restaurant chains to succeed!!!!
I have Showbiz on my list! Not sure how soon I will do it, but hopefully soon. I have a couple of others ahead of it, but it would make a good one. I miss Showbiz!
I think Showbiz was or became a sister chain to Chuck E Cheese's? I remember the singing animal characters doing 80's rock and pop covers including Steve Miller's "Abra Cadabra" (They changed the line "Black panties with an angel face" to something else) and the Tubes "Talk To You Later". The bear character sang the line "Get out! I'm telling you now!"
Mister Swiss, Carrows, 4 B's, Alfies fish and Chips, Sambos, Heidi's Pies, Roy Rodgers, Bonanza Sirloin Pit, Furr's Cafeteria, Wyatt's Cafeteria, Hobo Joe's, Montana Mining Company, would all be good.
I remember that Carrols Corporation owned all of the BK's in a town in Michigan. I owned a neighbor property, and wanted to sell it. I learned that Carrols Corporation was located in North Carolina. They didn't want to buy the property.
When I was a kid, a trip from Ottawa ON to Rochester NY to visit relatives was not completed unless we stopped at Carrols in Oswego NY on the way gack home.
Whatever happened to Nichol's Farm on I-35 between Oklahoma City and Wichita? They were sort if a preview of Cracker Barrel but the food was hearty ranch food such as beef stew, various versions of big hamburgers and lots of "grandma style" desserts. I couldn't pass that place without pulling in.
If I'm not mistaken, Carrols made it as far south as Elmsford, NY, (just outside White Plains.) That location was converted into the one of the first Burger Kings in Westchester County, NY.
Do you happen to remember how you would get the glasses with the cartoon characters on it did they sell them individually or was there just an up charge to get the soda and the glass
