Seattle-based Dick’s Drive-In announced plans last week to build a new restaurant either east or south of their current locations. Kent is one of the cities on the list for a potential new site to the south.
Customers can help select the next location online at ddir.com. Voters can only choose between south and east. They cannot vote for a specific city.
People can vote for the potential south location of Kent, West Seattle, South Seattle, Renton, Burien, SeaTac, Tukwila, Auburn, Normandy Park, Des Moines and Federal Way. The east location includes Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Bothell, Mercer Island, Issaquah, Sammamish and Woodinville.
The poll runs through Friday, March 24. Dick’s Drive-In owners say they will open its next location in the region with the most votes.
Kent City Council President Bill Boyce said at the March 7 council meeting that he would like to see a Dick’s Drive-In come to Kent. Ben Wolters, city Economic and Community Development director, said his staff will work with Dick’s about potential sites in Kent.
The expansion is the first new restaurant for the company since the Edmonds Dick’s Drive-In opened in October 2011.
“Five years ago, when the north region won our 2010 poll, we promised our customers that we would continue to expand east and south if our north location was a success,” said Jim Spady, president of Dick’s Drive-Ins and son of co-founder and namesake, Dick Spady, in a company media release. “Opening our location in Edmonds was an incredible experience and we’re very happy to ask our customers to again help us decide where we build next!”
The first Dick’s Drive-In opened on Northeast 45th Street in Wallingford in 1954. Burgers were 19 cents, fries 11 cents, and shakes 21 cents.
“Some things have changed over the years,” says Spady, “but we still use fresh, never-frozen beef and buns, we still hand-cut our fries from real potatoes, and we still hand-dip and individually whip our shakes. Our tradition of quality food, instant service, taking care of our employees and investing in our communities will continue as we grow.”
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