tesg's guide to big chain road food consumption

CHAIN -- Good Times Burgers & Frozen Custard
Owner -- Good Times Restaurants, Inc (NASDAQ: GTIM)
Primary Operating Region -- mostly Colorado, one in Idaho, a few in North Dakota and Wyoming (which are Taco John's co-branded units).
Number of Locations -- 54 (August 2007) 

The name is new as of July 2001.  Before the change, they were known as "Good Times Drive-Thru Burgers".  Another one of those "dual drive-thru" concept operations of the mid-80's (the original opened in 1986 in Boulder).  Some new locations have indoor seating...some by design, some because the buildings were converted from their previous life as locations for Jack in the Box, which is no longer in the region.  Ironically, the old Jack locations are about ten times more attractive than the ground-up design locations.  The name change comes into play thanks to the addition of Frozen Custard to the menu, making me think somebody at the corporate office got wind of Culver's.

In any case, Good Times is repositioning itself as a premium brand.  Changes beyond the custard have included the introduction of Coleman beef in the burgers and fresh-squeezed lemonade.  I have no idea what's so special about the Coleman beef, but I do know that the Good Times burger went from being lousy to outstanding by my taste, though I suggest avoiding burgers with bacon (the bacon tastes stale, like it was sent to the stores pre-cooked).  As for the fresh-squeezed lemonade, my results have been mixed.  I've had it served strong (which is fabulous), weak (not so fabulous), and once, mixed with lemon-lime soda instead of water (gross).

Good Times also has good fries (the "Wild Fries" specifically), good shakes, good custard (Oregon Blackberry is my favorite), and good service.

A key component of future expansion is a co-branding concept with Taco John's.  There's over a half dozen units now with more on the drawing board.  Three of the five agreements I'm aware of have expanded Good Times into new states.

Good for them.  Good for me.  Good for you.

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