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This year, restaurant chain Guthrie’s celebrates an impressive milestone — its 60th anniversary. Since opening its doors in 1965, Guthrie’s has grown from a single restaurant in Haleyville, Alabama, to a wide-reaching chain.

Founded by Hal Guthrie, the restaurant gained fame for its irresistible yet straightforward menu that resonated with customers seeking comfort food done right. 

Since its founding, the chain has expanded with members of the Guthrie family opening franchises across the Southeast. 

The Guthrie’s brand initially offered a wider variety of menu items; however, in 1982, Chris Guthrie opened the first store dedicated solely to chicken fingers in Auburn. With limited space, Guthrie’s stores could operate only as a drive-through establishment, often being attached to convenience stores. 

Its newest location is in Lanett, Alabama, and it is the first of its kind, the stand-alone restaurant model. The store, situated off of I-85 at 2315 Broad Ave., was opened by a local franchisee group. Its location was carefully chosen for its visibility and easy access for travelers. 

Opening a dine-in restaurant marks a departure from the usual drive-thru-only model of past Guthrie’s locations and reconnects with its roots as a diner. 

The design, adopted within the last five years, has become the standard model for all free-standing Guthrie’s locations.

The success of the Lanett location demonstrates that, even with a limited menu, the franchise can still offer a full-service atmosphere.  

As Guthrie’s moves into the next chapter of its legacy, the chain is set to expand even further, with plans for westward expansion. Currently, Guthrie’s locations are found in 13 states across the country. 

On July 31, Guthrie’s locations are planning small celebrations at individual stores while promoting special meal deals for customers and merchandise giveaways.

Here’s to Guthrie’s — 60 years of mouthwatering memories and the promise of many more to come.