WASHINGTON — Roy Rogers, the burger chain once owned by Marriott that had hundreds of locations at its peak, continues its comeback, opening its latest Washington area location in Aspen Hill next week.
It will be the fifth Roy Rogers location to open in Montgomery County, and one of dozens in the Washington and Baltimore region.
Roy Rogers’ goal is to open 25 new restaurants in the next five years, officials tell WTOP.
Marriott opened the first Roy Rogers restaurant in 1968 in Falls Church. It eventually grew to hundreds of locations before being taken over by Hardee’s Food Systems in 1990.
Roy Rogers’ salvation would eventually come from one of its original creators.
Plamondon Companies was founded in 1980 by Pete Plamondon, Sr., who helped develop the Roy Rogers brand for Marriott years earlier, and opened its first Roy Rogers franchise in Frederick, Md. that year.
Plamondon’s sons, Pete Jr. and Jim, bought Plamondon Companies from their father in 1998, and in 2002, acquired the Roy Rogers trademark, becoming the franchisor of Roy Rogers Restaurants.
The original Roy Rogers restaurants had loyal customers, and the two brothers set out to capitalize on that following in the crowded fast food space.
“Our restaurants are known for quality, variety and choice and we are excited to share what sets us apart from other quick-service concepts with fans old and new,” said Jim Plamondon.
Plamondon Companies now directly owns and operates 23 Roy Rogers restaurants and oversees 26 franchise locations in the Mid-Atlantic region.
For the Aspen Hill grand opening Feb. 22, Roy Rogers says it will give the first 100 guests a $100 “Cowboy Cash” gift card.
The Aspen Hill location is one of several Roy Rogers restaurants opening this year, Jim Plamondon tells WTOP.
