email: roadarch@outlook.com

Biff-Burger and Kenney's Drive-ins

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The Biff-Burger chain was founded in Clearwater, FL in the mid-1950s. Biff stands for "best in food fast". There were hundreds of locations. Most of them were in the Southeast but there were plenty of others on the East Coast as well. Biff offered "roto-broiled" burgers and their buildings incorporated a W-shaped roof and red, yellow and blue diamonds. The chain folded in the mid-1970s and most of the locations had closed by the 1980s. Many of the closed locations were converted to Burger Kings. The Port-A-Unit building design and signs shown below were prefabricated in the early 1960s and shipped to new locations. They made the brand instantly recognizable. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.

Biff-Burger [gone]
St. Petersburg, FL

2009:
2020:
This was the last operating Biff Burger location. It opened in 1960 and featured indoor dining and drive-thru service. I believe this sign was installed around 1962. The sign featured a Sputnik-type ball on top. That Sputnik was still there in 2011 but gone by 2014. The metal piece on top of the sign that simulated the shape of the roof was also gone by then. In 2021, the restaurant closed and the contents and sign were auctioned off. The building has been demolished for a car wash.

former Biff-Burger
Montgomery, AL

2006:
2020:
This former Biff-Burger was being converted into Uncle Peter's Seafood & Barbeque in 2006. By 2013, the building was occupied by Import Center Automotive. The checkerboard pattern on the building was painted over and the sign was adapted again. [map]

former Biff-Burger
Pittsburgh, PA

2007:
2012:
This former Biff-Burger had the original diamond pattern on the front of the building back in 2007. Since then, there has been a showroom addition to the front of the building. The two original wings still protrude from the building. The sign is long gone. The building now houses the Pittsburgh Auto Depot. [map]

former Biff-Burger
Bristol, VA
This former Biff-Burger is home to Allen Hodge Motors. The building still has evidence of the diamond pattern above the entrance and the sign has been reworked. [map]

former Biff-Burger
Warner Robins, GA
This former Biff-Burger building was last used by Buck's Used Cars & Trucks. The building was supposedly moved from another location nearby but never reopened. It has been vacant since at least 1973. Despite its neglect, this building is the most intact of all those that remain. [map]

former Biff-Burger
Concord, NC
This former Biff-Burger now houses Simmons Auto Sales used car lot. After Biff-Burger closed, the building was used as a Kentucky Fried Chicken location. This might explain the addition of the steeple on the roof. [map]

former Biff-Burger
Auburndale, FL

2009:
2020:
This former Biff-Burger was vacant in 2009. By 2011, the building had been restored and reopened as Jay's Place. It now houses Kelley's Used Cars. For more, see this website. [map]

former Biff-Burger
Inverness, FL
2009: 2020:
This former Biff-Burger sign had been adapted for the Cinnamon Sticks Cafe by 2009. The building was an ordinary-looking rectangular box. By 2013, the sign had been adapted for a pawn shop. The building is vacant now. [map]

former Biff-Burger
Land O' Lakes, FL

2009:
2020:
This former Biff-Burger building was moved here from Brandon, FL around 1976. It housed Smitty's restaurant until the mid-1980s. It then operated as Pogo's Drive-in from 1985-1987. The Biff-Burger diamonds still remained on the building until a used car business moved in and painted over them. The building now houses Amazing Deals Auto, a used car dealer. [map]

former Biff-Burger
Phenix City, AL
This former Biff-Burger canopy was built in 1963 and was located in Phenix Plaza. The restaurant later became a Beef Burger. Sometime after that closed, the canopy structure that covered the building was moved here. It was installed facing backwards. I don't know what business it was used for at that point. The lot has been vacant for years. For more, see this website. [map]

former Biff-Burger (now Beef Burger)
Greensboro, NC
This former Biff-Burger was built in 1961. It was the only other survivor of the chain besides the St. Petersburg location described at the top of this page. This restaurant was renamed "Beef Burger" in the 1980s. It closed in 2021 and the building remains vacant. [map]

former Biff-Burger
West Palm Beach, FL
This former Biff-Burger was built in 1960 with a sawtooth roof. The building now houses the Capri Bakery & Restaurant. The only other location known to have been built with this design survives in Evansville, IN. [map]

More former Biff-Burgers:
Brooksville, FL [gone]
Haines City, FL [gone]
Evansville, IN
Greensboro, NC
Waynesboro, VA [vintage]

Kenney's Drive-in
Lexington, VA
This Kenney's Drive-in location opened in the early 1960s. There was a Biff-Burger here originally and its 1950s building and sign were adapted. The middle of the sign most likely read "Broiled Burgers 15 cents". Kenney's was a Virginia chain that was founded in the 1960s. By 1980, all the locations were gone except this one and two others (see below). Not much has not changed inside or outside at this location and most of the original menu is still offered. The sign has been altered and it no longer has neon. For more, see this website. [map]

More Kenney's Drive-ins:
Buena Vista, VA
Lynchburg, VA
Roanoke, VA [map]

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