Looking for a diner that’s always open, always affordable, and always serves up some of the best comfort food around? Look no further than Denny’s
This beloved restaurant chain has been a go-to spot for breakfast, lunch, and dinner since 1953, and it’s still going strong today. But did you know there’s more to Denny’s than just its famous Grand Slam breakfast?
In this post, we’ll be sharing 15 fascinating facts about Denny’s that you might not have heard before. So sit back, grab a cup of coffee, and get ready to learn some fun trivia about one of America’s favourite diner chains!
Denny’s was originally a donut stand called “Danny’s Donuts,” but its founders decided to expand the menu to include breakfast items and changed the name to “Denny’s.”
1 The first Denny’s location was located in Lakewood, California, and it quickly became a popular spot for breakfast and casual dining. Today, Denny’s has over 1,700 locations across the United States and in several other countries.
Harold Butler, one of the co-founders of Denny’s, named the restaurant after his friend and investor, Richard Jezak.
2 Butler borrowed the name “Denny’s” from Jezak’s last name, which was sometimes used as a nickname.
The name stuck, and today Denny’s is one of the most well-known and popular restaurant chains in the United States.
The first Denny’s location was a small donut stand called “Danny’s Donuts” located in Lakewood, California. In 1956.
3 The name was changed to “Denny’s Coffee Shop” and the menu was expanded to include sandwiches and other diner fare. Over time, Denny’s continued to grow and expand, becoming one of the most popular diner chains in the United States.
Today, Denny’s has over 1,700 locations in the U.S. and other countries around the world.
Denny’s is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and it never closes on holidays.
4 This makes it a popular spot for late-night diners, travellers, and anyone looking for a hearty meal at any time of day or night. Whether you’re craving breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a midnight snack, you can always count on Denny’s to be open and ready to serve you.
In the 1970s, Denny’s became known for its “Value Menu,” which featured dishes priced at $0.99.
5 This menu was a big hit with budget-conscious diners and helped establish Denny’s as a go-to spot for affordable, high-quality diner fare. Over the years, Denny’s has continued to offer value menus and other promotions to keep its customers coming back for more.
Today, you can still find plenty of delicious and affordable options on the Denny’s menu.
Denny’s has been featured in many movies and TV shows over the years, including some iconic pop culture moments.
6 For example, in the movie “Pulp Fiction,” the characters played by Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta discuss their love of the “Royale with Cheese” burger from Denny’s.
In the TV show “Breaking Bad,” Denny’s is the setting for a memorable scene in which the character played by Bryan Cranston arranges a meeting with a former associate.
And in “The Office,” Denny’s is mentioned as one of the favourite restaurants of the character played by Steve Carell. Denny’s has also appeared in many other films and shows over the years, cementing its status as a cultural touchstone and an iconic American brand.
Denny’s has over 1,700 locations in the United States, making it one of the largest restaurant chains in the country.
7 In addition to its U.S. locations, Denny’s also has restaurants in several other countries around the world, including Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates.
Denny’s has also expanded its presence in international markets in recent years, opening new locations in countries such as Chile, New Zealand, and the Philippines. This global footprint has helped make Denny’s one of the most recognizable and beloved restaurant brands in the world.
In 2014, Denny’s became the first restaurant chain to offer a complete gluten-free menu.
8 This was a major milestone for people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance who have to be careful about what they eat. Denny’s gluten-free menu includes a wide range of items, from omelets to burgers to salads, that are made with gluten-free ingredients and prepared using special procedures to avoid cross-contamination.
Today, many other restaurants and chains have followed Denny’s lead in offering gluten-free options, but Denny’s remains a leader in this area and continues to expand its gluten-free menu offerings.
Denny’s has a rewards program called “Denny’s Rewards,” which allows customers to earn points and redeem them for free meals.
9 Customers can sign up for the program on the Denny’s website or through the mobile app, and then earn points by dining at Denny’s restaurants or placing orders for delivery or pickup. Points can be redeemed for free meals, exclusive offers, and other perks, making it a great way for Denny’s customers to save money and get rewarded for their loyalty.
Denny’s Rewards also offers special promotions and bonuses throughout the year, making it an even better value for frequent diners.
In 2018, Denny’s partnered with Beyond Meat to offer a vegan Beyond Burger on its menu.
10 The Beyond Burger is made with a Beyond Meat patty, which is made from pea protein and other plant-based ingredients and designed to taste and feel like real beef. Denny’s also offers a range of other vegetarian and vegan options on its menu, including a veggie burger, a vegetable skillet, and a Fit Fare Veggie Skillet.
This commitment to providing vegetarian and vegan options has helped Denny’s appeal to a wider range of customers and stay at the forefront of evolving consumer preferences.
In 2012, Denny’s teamed up with Warner Bros. to create a menu inspired by the movie “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.”
11 The menu included several dishes that were inspired by characters and locations from the movie, including the “Hobbit Slam,” which was a breakfast dish that featured two pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and hash browns. Other items on the menu included “Radagast’s Red Velvet Pancake Puppies” and “Gandalf’s Gobble Melt.”
The promotion was a hit with fans of the movie and with Denny’s customers, and it helped reinforce Denny’s reputation as a fun and quirky restaurant chain.
The company has used various advertising campaigns and characters over the years to promote its brand and menu items.
12 One of the most famous campaigns was the “Grand Slam” campaign, which featured a character named “The Grand Slam” who was a personified version of Denny’s signature breakfast dish.
Denny’s has also used other characters and campaigns over the years, such as the “Moon Over My Hammy” campaign and the “Build Your Own” campaign, but none of these campaigns have included an official mascot named “Denny.”
In 1990, Denny’s was involved in a racial discrimination lawsuit that resulted in a $54 million settlement.
13 The lawsuit was filed by the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP) and alleged that Denny’s had engaged in a pattern of racial discrimination against African American customers by denying them service, requiring them to prepay for meals, and treating them differently from white customers.
The settlement included compensation for affected customers and required Denny’s to implement a series of reforms to prevent discrimination and promote diversity and inclusion. The lawsuit was a wake-up call for Denny’s and the restaurant industry as a whole, and it helped spur greater awareness and action around issues of racial equality and social justice.
Since then, Denny’s has worked to promote diversity and inclusion in its workforce and its customer base, and it has been recognized for its efforts to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment.
“Moons Over My Hammy” is a popular menu item at Denny’s.
14 It is a sandwich made with ham, scrambled eggs, and Swiss and American cheese, and it is served on grilled sourdough bread. The sandwich is a customer favourite and has been on Denny’s menu for many years.
In fact, the “Moons Over My Hammy” sandwich has become so popular that it has become something of a cultural icon and has been referenced in TV shows, movies, and popular culture.
The “Grand Slam” breakfast is one of Denny’s most famous menu items and has been a customer favourite for many years.
15 The breakfast includes two eggs cooked to order, two fluffy buttermilk pancakes, two sizzling bacon strips, and two savoury sausage links.
It is a hearty and satisfying meal that has become something of a cultural icon in the United States. In fact, Denny’s has used the “Grand Slam” name and image in various advertising campaigns and promotions over the years, and it has become one of the most recognizable and beloved breakfast dishes in the country.
