OTD 1980: Wimpy launch ‘computerised snack bar’ in Birmingham

ATV Today report on how The Wimpy Organisation opened Birmingham’s first computerised snack bar, which aimed to provide the customers requirements in about four and a half minutes. The new-look Wimpy on Corporation Street was an attempt to change to a more youthful image. John McLeod interviews Wimpy boss Peter Smale about the growing need from the consumer for a snack bar where they can order, eat, and leave in under fifteen minutes.

While once a well-known brand in the UK – having launched in 1954 as a ‘waitress service restaurant’ – with the arrival of stateside offerings McDonalds and Burger King the Wimpy name in the 1990s all but vanished from the high street, despite the 1980 revamp which saw the chain attempt to compete in the market. Wimpy however with new-look restaurants currently operate 66 outlets across the UK. Sadly, the Birmingham site isn’t one of them. It’s now a building society outlet.