Lion’s Choice, the St. Louis-based quick-service family of restaurants, is celebrating its 50th year in business October 26. To commemorate the milestone, Lion’s Choice has planned a special celebration at its flagship restaurant located in Ballwin, Missouri, and all 25 Lion’s Choice restaurants will have special offers for their customers.
When Lion’s Choice’s founder, Dr. Marvin Gibbs, and his partners opened their first restaurant in 1967, they named it the Red Lion Beef House—named for the Brittany Lion, which, to them, symbolized quality. With the addition of the second restaurant a year later, the founders changed the name to “Lion’s Choice,” from the old expression that refers to the first and highest choice, in terms of quality. Thus, the Lion’s Choice brand was born.
Fifty years later, Lion’s Choice is inviting customers to “feast like it’s 1967,” in the restaurant where it all began. The celebration will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017, at the original Lion’s Choice restaurant, located at 14919 Manchester Road when a plaque commemorating the first location will be unveiled. For the remainder of the day, the restaurant will display throwback store signage, play 60s music and offer giveaways to participating customers. Also on Oct. 26, all 25 Lion’s Choice restaurants will participate in the celebration—offering a commemorative wooden nickel good for one complimentary mini custard cone with the purchase of an entrée.
“At Lion’s Choice, we continue to embrace Dr. Gibb’s vision of providing quality, nutritious and great tasting food delivered with unmatched customer service,” says Mike Kupstas, CEO of Lion’s Choice. “Maintaining this vision has earned us a loyal customer base that is second to none. As we celebrate this landmark anniversary, we are excited and look forward to our next 50 years.”
As its 25 restaurants celebrate with their customers, Lion’s Choice has broken ground on a 26th location. The new restaurant will be located at 4520 Highway K in O’Fallon, Missouri, and is slated to open in early 2018.
