Golden Skillet

Golden Skillet is a fast-food chain that mainly sells fried chicken originating in Richmond, Virginia.[1] The first Golden Skillet chicken was sold in 1963 at the downtown Richmond department store Thalhimer's.[1] The fried chicken recipe was created by Clifton W. Guthrie, the original owner and founder of Golden Skillet.

The slogan for the chain was "Tender as Quail! Tasty as Pheasant!"[2] While the recipe was not officially published, it is known that the fried chicken was cooked in special pressure-cookers and with specific breading.[1]

History

In 1963, a vice president of a Thalhimers grocery store tasted Guthrie's chicken at a banquet; shortly after, it was sold at the Thalhimers' restaurant.[1]

Eventually, in Richmond, the first freestanding location opened in 1968.[1] By October 2, 1981, Guthrie's death, the chain had grown to 16 company-owned locations and 180 franchises worldwide.[1] It had affiliate firms with Puerto Rico, Canada, and Japan.[1][3][4] As of April 2024, the company operates 10 locations in Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia.

Golden Skillet would be sold to American chain Dairy Queen sometime in the 1980s after Guthrie's death.[5]

Locations

Some locations of the franchise include Sandston, Virginia,[6] Plymouth, North Carolina,[7] Henderson, North Carolina,[8] Ahoskie, North Carolina,[9] Danville, Virginia,[10] Petersburg, Virginia,[11] and Richmond, Virginia.[12]

See also

  • List of fast-food chicken restaurants

References

  1. Obituaries UPI, October 2, 1981, retrieved April 2, 2022^
  2. GOLDEN SKILLET TENDER AS QUAIL..TASTY AS PHEASANT Trademark of Golden Skillet International, Inc. Serial Number: 72215070 :: Trademarkia Trademarks trademark.trademarkia.com, retrieved 2022-08-05^
  3. Jacob Hunziker. Golden Skillet closes as owner begins new chapter in life WSET, 2022-06-16, retrieved 2022-08-05^
  4. After more than 35 years in Portsmouth, last Golden Skillet in Hampton Roads closes Sunday The Virginian-Pilot, 18 September 2021, retrieved 2022-08-05^
  5. Thomas Derdak, Tina Grant. International Directory of Company Histories St. James Press, 2001^
  6. Golden Skillet Golden Skillet, retrieved 2025-11-03^
  7. GOLDEN SKILLET, Plymouth - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews Tripadvisor, retrieved 2022-08-05^
  8. Golden Skillet retrieved 2022-08-05^
  9. Home goldenskilletahoskie.com, retrieved 2022-08-05^
  10. Danville Golden Skillet Facebook homepage Facebook, retrieved August 26, 2024^
  11. Google Maps Google Maps, retrieved 2022-08-05^
  12. Google Maps Google Maps, retrieved 2022-08-05^