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A Chain Reaction Challenge
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The first Dairy Queen was opened in 1940 in Joliet, Illinois, by a father/son partnership. Back then, food franchising was all but unheard of, but the potential of the newness of soft-serve ice cream made it a natural for such a system.Today, Dairy Queen is one of the largest fast food systems in the world, with more than 6,000 restaurants in the U.S., Canada and 18 other countries.
* Read a book in which a father and son team up to solve a problem
* Read a book set during WW2
* Read a book by a new-to-you author
DENNY'S:
What is known today as Denny’s first opened in 1953 in Lakewood, California, as a donut shop named Danny’s Donuts. Several years later, to avoid confusion with another local chain, the name was changed to Denny’s, where the Grand Slam was introduced in 1977 in homage to Hank Aaron breaking Babe Ruth’s home run record. Today, there are more than 1000 stores in operation.
* Read a book with at least two words in the title that begin with the same letter
Ex: Gods and Generals; Rainshadow Road; These High Green Hills
* Read a book in which a character plays a sport
* Read a book by an author who writes under more than one name (tell us the names used by the author)
DOMINO'S:
The first Domino’s opened in Ypsilanti, Michigan, in 1960. Today, there are over 10,000 stores – including more than 5,000 outside the U.S.
* Read a book that is an international best-seller (post a link to the list where you found the book)
* Read a book by one of your favorite authors
* Read a book with a cover that is ONLY black and white. (post the cover)
ONE other color, for either the title or author’s name, will be acceptable, but no other exceptions will be made
DUNKIN' DONUTS:
With only an 8th grade education, William "Bill" Rosenberg opened the first Dunkin' Donuts shop in Quincy, Massachusetts, in 1950. Now there are more than 8,000 shops in more than 30 countries worldwide.
* Read a young-adult book
* Read a book in which a character owns a bakery
* Read the shortest book on your TBR list that is over 150 pages (tell us how many pages)
FIVE GUYS:
The first Five Guys opened in 1986 in Arlington, Virginia. The restaurants, done in the classic decor of the 1950s-era diner, was founded by Jerry Murell and his four sons, Tyler, Chad, Matt and Jim. Until 2002, there were only six stores in the Northern Virginia area, but today there are over 750 locations in 40 states.
* Read book #5 in a series
* Read a book set in the 1950s
* Read a book with a male character or by a male author named Jerry, Tyler, Chad, Matt/Matthew/Matty, or Jim/James/Jimmy.
FUDDRUCKERS:
Freddie Fuddruckers first opened in San Antonio, Texas, in 1980. Ownership of the chain changed hands several times, and the name was changed to simply Fuddruckers. The restaurant is known for its Exotic menu, featuring burgers made from exotic meats like ostrich, boar and bison, as well as for its Market Fresh Burger Topping bar, from which customers can choose as many (or as few) toppings as they wish. There are currently 175 locations in the United States, and a handful of locations in Middle Eastern countries like Saudi Arabia.
* Read a book by an author who has continued a series started by a different author (tell us the names of both authors)
Ex: Felix Francis has continued Dick Francis’s books
* Read a book from a series with more than 15 books
* Read a book with a buffet table of food on the cover (post the cover)
HARDEE'S:
The first Hardee’s opened in 1960 in Greenville, North Carolina. As the chain grew, they purchased existing locations from other chains like Burger Chef. When Burger Chef went under, Hardee’s purchased the right to some of BC’s creations, so many Hardee’s now sell a Big Shef burger. Today there are over 1900 stores around the world.
* Read a book with a pun in the title (Big Chef = Big Shef)
* Read a book with a word in the title denoting size (small, large, medium, big, tiny, etc.)
* Read a book from your favorite genre (tell us the genre)
HARD ROCK CAFE:
The first Hard Rock Cafe opened in London, England, in 1971 when Isaac Tigrett and Peter Morton tried in vain to find “a good American burger” while living in London. The rock ‘n’ roll decor came about by accident after Eric Clapton asked Isaac to hang his guitar over his favorite bar stool to “mark his spot.” A week later another guitar arrived in the mail, with a note from Pete Townsend saying “Mine’s as good as his!” And so it began ... There are currently over 175 Hard Rock stores in 55 different countries.
* Read a book set in England
* Read a book with a cluttered cover (post the cover)
* Read a best-selling book (post a link to the list where you found the book)
HOOTERS:
The first Hooters opened in Clearwater, Florida, on April Fool’s Day in 1983 when six businessmen decided to open a restaurant they wouldn’t get kicked out of. “Lots and lots” of wood is a large part of their decor, and music from the 50s and 60s is played in most locations. Today there are more than 460 stores in the U.S.
* Read a book originally published in April of any year (tell us what year)
* Read a book with a character who is a troublemaker
* Read a book with a tree or trees on the cover – no other plants, only trees (post the cover)
HOSS'S:
The first Hoss’s Steak and Sea House opened in 1983 in DuBois, Pennsylvania. Hoss’s is still a privately owned chain of family-style restaurants. There are more than 40 restaurants today, all located in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia.
* Read a book set in Pennsylvania
* Read a book between 200 and 300 pages long (tell us how many pages)
* Read a book in which family plays an important part
IHOP:
The first IHOP (International House of Pancakes) opened in Toluca Lake, California, in 1960. There are currently more than 1461 stores across the U.S.
* Read a book in which a character works for the CIA, FBI, ATF or other well-known organization known by an acronym (tell us which organization)
* Read a book that was published at least 50 years before you joined this challenge (tell us when the book was published)
* Read a book with a residential house on the cover – not an apartment or condo, not a commercial business (post the cover)
IN-N-OUT BURGERS:
The first In-N-Out opened in 1948 in Baldwin Park, California. Previously customers at burger stands were serviced by car hops who offered door-side delivery to each car individually. In-N-Out Burgers introduced the first drive-through service, with customers placing their orders via speakers instead of face-to-face. Their 4x4 burger – four slices of cheese and four meat patties – is one of the largest burgers available. There are currently 21 stores open in the U.S.
* Read a book with the word “AND” in the title
* Read a book featuring a first of some kind (tell us what the first is)
* Read book #4 in a series
JACK IN THE BOX:
The first Jack in the Box opened in Long Beach, California, in 1951. In the early 1990s, the chain was hit hard by the death of four children from E. Coli contaminated burgers, but have begun to overcome that. More than half of the chain’s 2200 stores are located in California, with most of the rest in western U.S. states, with only a handful of stores in the eastern U.S.
* Read a book set in a location that begins with a letter in JACK (tell us the location)
* Read a book in which a character dies
* Read a book set in the U.S., west of the Mississippi River (tell us where the book is set)
For the purposes of this challenge, these states count as west of the Mississippi: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming
JIMMY JOHN'S:
The first Jimmy John’s opened in 1983 in Charleston, Illinois, where founder Jimmy John Liautaud took his new business to the college kids, who loved his dirt-cheap prices and his irreverent attitude. Since he couldn’t afford an ice machine, sodas were served at room temperature, but no one seemed to mind. Today there are over 1900 stores across the U.S.
* Read a book set in a warm climate (tell us the location)
* Read a book in which a character is in high school or college
* Read a book by an author whose first and last names begin with the same letter
Ex: Cleo Coyle, Marcia Muller
KFC:
Although Harland Sanders opened his first restaurant, Sanders Court & Cafe, in Corbin, Kentucky, the first actual KFC franchise was opened by Pete Harman in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1952. Today there are more than 15,000 stores around the world.
NOTE: For the required date portion of the challenge, use 1952.
* Read a book with a male character over 60 years old (tell us how old)
* Read a book with a word in the title that is abbreviated or shortened somehow (rockin’, can’t, ‘n’)
* Read a book from one of your favorite genres (tell us which genre)
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message 4: by Chaitra, Co-Moderator (last edited Jun 28, 2014 07:11PM)
Jun 28, 2014 07:07PM
Chaitra (Chaitra_Ganesh) | 6423 comments THE RESTAURANTS, part 3:
LOGAN'S ROADHOUSE:
The first Logan’s Roadhouse opened in 1991 in Lexington, Kentucky. Known for mesquite-grilled steaks, ice-cold longnecks, made-from-scratch yeast rolls, and bottomless buckets of in-shell peanuts, there are now 230 stores in 23 U.S. states and counting.
* Read a book that is a spin-off from another series (tell us the original series)
* Read a book with a snack food on the cover (post the cover)
* Read a book that includes recipes
LONGHORN STEAKHOUSE:
The first LongHorn Steakhouse opened in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1981. At first, they struggled financially, but in January 1982, a sudden snowstorm trapped the area's commuter population within the city limits and the owner offered $1 drinks to the stranded motorists. This earned high marks within the community and helped turn the restaurant around. The restaurants have a Western/Texan theme and are decorated with oil paintings, photos and Western memorabilia. There are currently over 370 stores in 35 U.S. states.
* Read a book with snow in the title or on the cover (post the cover)
* Read a book that was recommended to you by another reader (tell us who recommended it)
* Read a western
LONG JOHN SILVER'S:
The first Long John Silver’s Fish ‘n’ Chips opened in 1969 in Lexington, Kentucky. Both the name and concept were inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson’s book Treasure Island. Today, Long John Silver has over 1200 stores worldwide.
* Read a book over 400 pages long (tell us how many pages)
* Read a book that has been made into a movie (tell us the title of the movie)
* Read a book that is a classic
McDONALD’S:
The first McDonald’s opened in 1940 in Des Plaines, Illinois. The now-familiar Golden Arches first debuted in 1952, when burgers sold for 15 cents and French fries were 10 cents. Today, there are over 31,000 stores in more than 100 countries across the globe.
* Read a book with a well-known landmark on the cover (post the cover)
* Read a book with a drink/beverage in the title or on the cover (post the cover)
* Read book #10 or higher in a series
THE MELTING POT:
The first Melting Pot opened in Maitland, Florida, in 1975. Its first menu consisted of just three items: Swiss cheese fondue, beef fondue and a chocolate fondue dessert. Today, the menu is far more extensive at over 140 stores across North America.
* Read a cozy mystery
* Read a book that you consider a real treat
* Read a book set in Florida
Mod
The first Olive Garden opened in 1982 in Orlando, Florida. Even though the bulk of Olive Garden devotees are regulars (they lure you in with unlimited salad and bread sticks), a complete revamp of the current 800+ stores has been announced.
* Read a book that sucked you in to the story right from the start
* Read a book whose cover has been revamped since the original publication (post the original cover AND the current cover)
* Read a book with a vineyard, orchard or vegetable garden on the cover (post the cover)
OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE:
The first Outback Steakhouse opened in Tampa, Florida, in 1988. The chain was founded by three restaurant industry veterans, and they brought in the crowds by serving American food in an Australian-themed dining room. The secret to their success? Fat! Steaks are cooked in butter and everything is deep-fried in beef tallow instead of oil. There are currently over 1200 stores worldwide.
* Read a book set in Australia or with an Australian character or by an Australian author (tell us which option you chose)
* Read a book that’s a guilty pleasure
* Read a book that’s part of a trilogy
PANERA BREAD:
One of the fastest-growing chains in the country, Panera Bread got its start in Kirkwood, Missouri, in 1993, when Au Bon Pain purchased the St. Louis Bread Company’s 20 St. Louis-area bakery-cafés and changed the name to Panera Bread. The new company became so successful that in 1999, Au Bon Pain Co. decided to abandon its flagship company and devote all its resources to Panera, a gamble that appears to have paid off, as there are now over 1670 stores in 45 states and Canada.
* Read a book that features characters from two different authors (tell us which authors’ characters are involved in the book)
Ex: First Light, by Philip R. Craig and William G. Tapply, features J.W. Jackson and Brady Coyne
* Read a book set in Missouri
* Read a book by an author who has abandoned or ended a previous series. Book must be published after the previous series has ended (tell us the name of the series that has ended)
Ex: Debbie Macomber has ended her Cedar Cove series, but has not stopped writing
P.F. CHANG'S:
The first P.F. Chang’s opened in Scottsdale, Arizona, in 1993. "P. F. Chang's" is the namesake of Paul Fleming (P. F.) and Philip Chiang (whose surname is shortened to Chang), and is the largest full service, casual dining Chinese restaurant chain in the U.S. with locations across the country. Today there are over 204 stores around the world.
* Read a book written by two authors (only TWO authors, no more)
* Read a book set in Asia or by an Asian author or with an Asian character (tell us which option you chose; if the book is set in Asia, tell us which country)
For the purposes of this challenge, use this list to determine which countries constitute Asia
* Read a book by an author who uses initials rather than a first name
Ex: J.K. Rowling
PIZZA HUT:
The first Pizza Hut opened in Wichita, Kansas, in 1958, when two brothers opened a pizzeria so small that their sign had room for only 9 letters. It wasn’t until 1980 that the thicker crust “pan pizza” was introduced. Since then Pizza Hut's menu has expanded to include wings, cheesy bites, and pastas. There are currently over 11,130 stores around the world.
* Read a book with a 9-letter or 9-word title
* Read a book with a round object on the cover (post the cover)
* Read a book featuring at least two brothers (tell us the names of the brothers)
PLANET HOLLYWOOD:
Planet Hollywood, a theme restaurant inspired by the popular portrayal of Hollywood, was launched in New York City in 1991, with the backing of Hollywood stars Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, Demi Moore, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Modeled after Hard Rock Cafe, Planet Hollywood features Hollywood memorabilia and rock music, but the company has gone bankrupt twice. Nearly 100 stores have closed worldwide, leaving about 8 Planet Hollywood restaurants currently open.
* Read a book written by a celebrity who is NOT an author by trade (tell us what the celebrity is best-known for)
* Read a book by an author who has had a long lapse (at least four years) between books (tell us how long the lapse is)
* Read a book that seems to imitate the style and/or story of another book you’ve read (tell us the book that’s been “imitated”)
PONDEROSA:
The first Ponderosa Steakhouse opened in Westport, Connecticut, in 1963. The name of the restaurant is derived from the classic TV series Bonanza, which was set at a place called Ponderosa Ranch. There have been several reorganizations and even bankruptcy over the years, but there are currently 21 stores located in the U.S.
* Read a book that has been made into a TV show (at least one full season) or a book that is based upon a TV show (tell us the name of the TV show)
* Read a book with a rancher or cowboy in the story
* Read a book set in New England (tell us where the book is set)
For the purposes of this challenge, these states constitute New England: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont
POPEYES LOUISIANA KITCHEN:
The first Popeyes opened in 1972 in Arabi, Louisiana. Al Copeland, founder, claims that the chain was named after the fictional detective Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle in the movie The French Connection and not the comic and cartoon character Popeye the Sailor. Copeland would claim facetiously that he was "too poor" to afford an apostrophe. Today there are more than 1,800 restaurants in more than 40 U.S. states over 22 countries worldwide. According to a company press release, Popeyes is the second-largest "quick-service chicken restaurant group" in the world.
* Read book #2 in a series
* Read a book set outside the USA (tell us where the book is set)
* Read a book featuring a character who is very poor
QUAKER STEAK & LUBE:
The first Quaker Steak & Lube opened in Sharon, Pennsylvania, in 1974. The chain’s founders bought a vacant automobile service station and converted it into a restaurant and bar appropriately named Quaker Steak & Lube. With over 62 locations throughout the United States and Canada, “The Lube” still rescues muscle cars, vintage cars, trucks and a vast selection of custom and antique motorcycles, giving them good homes hanging from the walls and ceilings in each restaurant. The chain has won the title of “Best Wings USA,” and has hundreds of local, national, and international awards for their sauce recipes.
* Read a book with a car, truck or motorcycle on the cover (post the cover)
* Read a book that has won an award (tell us the award)
* Read a book set in Pennsylvania
QUIZNOS:
The first Quiznos, specializing in toasted submarine sandwiches, opened in 1981 in Denver, Colorado. At the end of 2013, the chain had about 2100 locations in the U.S. and around the world, but in March 2014, Quiznos filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. Quiznos said it would continue operating while it restructured its debt and made operational improvements.
* Read a book with a “sandwiched” letter in the author’s first or last name
Ex., Susan ConAnt, DaNa Stabenow
* Read any book that is part of a series
* Read a book by an author who has died (tell us when the author died)
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message 5: by Chaitra, Co-Moderator (last edited Jun 28, 2014 07:10PM)
Jun 28, 2014 07:08PM
Chaitra (Chaitra_Ganesh) | 6423 comments THE RESTAURANTS, part 4:
RED LOBSTER:
The first Red Lobster opened in Lakeland, Florida, in 1968. Two years later it was purchased by General Mills, who expanded it into a five-unit chain, and from there, the chain continued to grow. While the chain gives off a very distinct "New England" vibe, there are surprisingly only four locations in all of New England, and they’re all in western Connecticut. Today there are more than 705 stores throughout the U.S.
* Read a book with a 5-word title
* Read a book set in New England (tell us where the book is set)
For the purposes of this challenge, these states constitute New England: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont
* Read a book set in or near a body of water (tell us which body of water)
RED ROBIN:
The first Red Robin opened in 1969 in Seattle, Washington. The owner, known as Sam, had previously called it Sam’s Tavern. He was a barber shop quartet singer, and sometime in the 50s renamed it to Sam’s Red Robin. The burger chain began when Gerry Kingen bought the restaurant and dropped Sam’s name off of the front of the title. He added burgers to the menu, which is what the chain is now known for. There are over 420 locations in the U.S. and Canada today.
* Read a book with a bird in the title or on the cover (post the cover)
* Read a book featuring a musician
* Read a book whose title begins with a letter in ROBIN
ROMANO’S MACARONI GRILL:
The first Macaroni Grill opened in Leon Springs, Texas, in 1988. In addition to the restaurants featuring Italian-American cuisine, the brand also features a line of packaged food products based on dishes offered by the restaurant. There are currently over 200 stores around the world.
* Read a book with an apostrophe in the title
* Read a book set in Texas
* Read a book from within your comfort zone
ROY ROGERS:
The first Roy Rogers opened in 1968 in Falls Church, Virginia. The chain of US fast-food family restaurants was named after cowboy movie actor Roy Rogers. There are currently 49 stores located in the U.S.
* Read a book with a horse on the cover (post the cover) or in the story
* Read a book with a character or author named Roy or Roger/s
* Read a book featuring a singer
RUBY TUESDAY:
In 1972, Sandy Beall opened the first Ruby Tuesday (named after the Rolling Stones song of the same name) in Knoxville, Tennessee, near his University of Tennessee campus. Today there are over 790 stores throughout the U.S.
* Read a book with a day of the week in the title
* Read a book whose title is also a song lyric or title (ex: The Day the Music Died, by Ed Gorman)
* Read a book set on or near a college campus
SONIC:
The first Top Hat restaurant, the precursor to today’s Sonic, opened in 1953 in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Troy Smith, the founder, installed an intercom and carhop system, allowing customers to remain in their cars while getting service. In 1959 Smith was forced to change the name due to trademark issues. Top Hat was renamed Sonic Drive-In, as their motto was “service at the speed of sound.” Today, the franchise is one of the few drive-ins to still offer the carhop system, and some still have roller-skating servers! There are over 3560 stores in 43 U.S. states.
* Read a book with a beverage of some sort in the title or on the cover (post the cover)
* Read a book with a 5-letter word in the title
* Read a book with a car or roller skates on the cover (post the cover)
STARBUCKS:
In 1971, Starbucks opened its first store in Seattle, Washington, in the Pike Place Market. By 1987, there were 17 stores, but that number has jumped to over 16,630 stores today.
* Read a book, fiction or non-fiction, featuring coffee
* Read a book with some sort of sea creature, real or imagined, on the cover (post the cover)
* Read a book set in the Pacific Northwest (tell us where the book is set)
For the purposes of this challenge, these states constitute the Pacific Northwest: Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Washington and Wyoming
Mod
What we know as Subway today was originally named Pete's Super Submarines. The chain was founded in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in 1965 by a 17-year-old student who borrowed $1,000 to open his first store, hoping to earn enough money to help pay for his college education. The original menu consisted of seven cold sandwiches with 11 ingredients: meat, bread, onions, tomatoes, green pepper, olives, oil, and seasonings, plus cheese. There are currently over 41,800 stores in over 100 countries around the world.
* Read a book that you got for free
* Read book #7 in a series
* Read a young-adult book
TACO BELL:
The first Taco Bell opened in Downey, California, in 1961. One of its most memorable advertising campaigns featured a Spanish-speaking chihuahua who claimed “¡Yo quiero Taco Bell!” There are now more than 5,600 stores in the U.S. alone.
* Read a book with a dog in the story or on the cover (post the cover)
* Read a book set in California
* Read a book with a 2-word title
TEXAS ROADHOUSE:
The first Texas Roadhouse opened in 1993 in Clarksville, Indiana. The chain is known for its free buckets of peanuts at each table, but are even better known for their rolls. Their mascot is an armadillo named Andy, and most restaurants offer entertainment in the form of line dancing. The waiters and waitresses learn line dances to popular country songs and perform line dances throughout the night. There are currently over 400 stores locations in 46 states across the U.S.
* Read a book featuring someone who bakes
* Read a book with a character whose first name begins with a letter in ANDY
* Read a book with dancing somewhere in the story
TGIFRIDAY'S:
TGIFriday’s history dates back to 1965, when Alan Stillman was living in Manhattan’s Upper East Side and noticed that there were no female-friendly bars where the hordes of young women flocking to the neighborhood could hang out. Stillman wanted to open a place where both sexes could meet and mingle in a cocktail party-atmosphere, and in doing so he created what’s widely credited as the first singles bar. The chain is also credited with being one of the first to introduce a “ladies’ night,” but they switched the focus from singles to families in the 1990s. Today there are over 920 stores in the U.S. and around the globe.
* Read a book with a striped object on the cover (post the cover)
* Read a book featuring a character who is single
* Read a book by a female author
WAFFLE HOUSE:
The first Waffle House opened in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1955. It was named Waffle House because waffles were the most profitable item on the 16-item menu. The fragile nature of waffles also made the point that it was a dine-in, not a carry-out, restaurant, but it confused patrons as to meal availability other than breakfast. There are currently over 1700 stores in 25 states in the U.S.
* Read a book that is outside the author’s usual genre
Ex: Debbie Macomber usually writes romance/women's fiction but has also written a cookbook
* Read a book set in the U.S. South (tell us where the book is set)
For the purposes of this challenge, these states constitute the U.S. South: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia
* Read a book whose title begins with a letter in HOUSE
WENDY'S:
The first Wendy’s opened inside an old car dealership in 1969 in Columbus, Ohio. The chain, founded by Dave Thomas and his business partner, Phil Clauss, was named for Thomas’ 8-year-old daughter, Melinda Lou, nicknamed “Wendy” by her siblings. The second Wendy's location featured the first modern-day pick-up window. Today there are over 10,000 stores around the world.
* Read a book with a red-headed character
* Read a book by an author or with a character named Dave/David or Phil/Philip
* Read a book with a window on the cover (post the cover)
WHATABURGER:
Harmon Dobson began his small hamburger stand in Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1950 with the goal of making a large hamburger that made his customers exclaim, “What a Burger!” Whataburger has almost 700 locations in the U.S. today, but is located mainly in the southern United States. Only 10 states feature Whataburger locations, and many locations are clustered around a single metro city in the state instead of spread across it.
* Read a book with a punctuation mark in the title
* Read a book by an author who writes ONLY stand-alones
* Read a book whose title contains at least one compound word (ex: fireplace, underbelly)
WHITE CASTLE:
The first White Castle opened in Wichita, Kansas, in 1921, to the tune of $700. In 2011, the famous drive-in known for its five-hole burger — which the company maintains cooks the patties "faster and more evenly" — celebrated its 90th anniversary. There are currently 420 stores located around the U.S.
* Read a book with a castle in the title or on the cover (post the cover)
* Read a book that is set at least 90 years before you started this challenge (tell us when the book is set)
* Read a book with a square object on the cover (post the cover)
You must complete the following five tasks for ALL restaurants listed:
♦ Read a book by an author whose first AND last initials can be found in the name of the restaurant as indicated in bold type.
♦ Read a book published in the year in which the first restaurant opened. The year is included in the blurb in italics under the name of each chain.
♦ Read a book in which the first letter of EVERY word in the title (all words count) can be found in the name of the city in which the first restaurant opened (titles must be at least 3 words long). This information is also included in the italics section under the name of the restaurant.
NOTE: For these restaurants only, you may use the name of the city AND state:
Applebee’s
Burger King
Chili’s
Chipotle
Dunkin’ Donuts
Hard Rock Cafe
KFC
Longhorn Steakhouse
Outback Steakhouse
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
Quiznos
Waffle House
♦ Read a book whose cover is at least 50% one or more of the predominant colors in the restaurant’s logo, as shown below. Colors don't have to match exactly, but they should be close. Please don't try to match a lime green book cover with a forest green logo or a navy book cover with a royal blue logo!
♦ Read a book whose total number of pages includes at least one number from the number of stores today, as indicated in the italics under the name of each restaurant.
In addition to the above tasks, you must choose a level for the rest of the challenge:
FOR THE ONCE-A-MONTH LEVEL: Choose 20 restaurants, complete all 3 tasks for each
FOR THE ONCE-A-WEEK LEVEL: Choose 40 restaurants, complete all 3 tasks for each
FOR THE NEARLY-DAILY LEVEL: Complete all 3 tasks for all 60 restaurants
APPLEBEE’S:
The first Applebee’s, called Applebee’s Edibles and Elixirs, opened in November 1980 in Atlanta, Georgia. Today it's the largest casual-dining concept in the world with 1,990 restaurants.
* Read a book with a character who works as a bartender
* Read a book set in the fall
* Read a book with consecutive double letters in the title or in the author's name
Ex: Steve BeRRy, DeBBie Macomber, The Undomestic GoDDeSS
ARBY’S:
The first Arby’s opened in 1964 in Boardman, Ohio. With over 3,400 stores across the world – but no stores in Vermont or Rhode Island! – it is the second-largest quick-service sandwich chain in the U.S.
* Read a book set in Vermont or Rhode Island (tell us where the book is set)
* Read a book with a “sandwiched” letter in the title
Ex: sIster, theRe
* Read a book with a one-word title
ATLANTA BREAD CO:
The first Atlanta Bread Co. opened in 1993 in Sandy Springs, Georgia. There are now 99 stores in 24 states across the U.S.
* Read a book with soup or sandwich/es on the cover (post the cover)
* Read the first book in a series by a new-to-you author
* Read a book with the letters A, B and C in the title – in that order, but they do not have to be consecutive
Ex: Carbs & Cadavers, Dispatches from a Public Librarian
AUNTIE ANNE’S:
The first Auntie Anne’s opened in 1988 in a farmer’s market in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. From 1999 through 2009, Auntie Anne’s and its franchisees partnered to donate more than $4.5 million to local children’s hospitals across the country through the Children's Miracle Network. Today there are more than 1200 stores in the U.S. and more than 23 countries across the globe.
* Read a book with a twisted plot
* Read a book set in a small town
* Read a book with a main character under the age of 12
BOB EVANS:
The first Bob Evans opened on a family farm in Rio Grande, Ohio, in 1961. There are currently nearly 600 stores in 19 states, primarily in the Midwest, mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions of the U.S.
* Read a book in which a main character owns his/her own business
* Read a book in which family is important to the plot
* Read a book set in the USA, east of the Mississippi River (tell us where the book is set)
For the purposes of this challenge, these states count as east of the Mississippi: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin
BONEFISH GRILL:
Bonefish Grill is a chain of American casual dining seafood restaurants. The first restaurant was opened in 2000 in St. Petersburg, Florida, by Tim Curci and Chris Parker. Today, there are 151 stores across 28 states in the U.S.
* Read a book with a major body of water on the cover (post the cover)
* Read a book with a character named Tim or Chris (will accept Timothy, Timmy, Christopher, Christine, Chrissy)
* Read book #1 from a new-to-you series.
BUFFALO WILD WINGS:
The first Buffalo Wild Wings, originally called Buffalo Wild Wings and Weck, was opened by friends Jim and Scott in 1982 in Columbus, Ohio. A “weck” is a specialty sandwich made of thin-sliced roast beef and horseradish on a salt and caraway seed-studded roll called a kimmelweck, but the wecks disappeared from the menu a long time ago. While today’s stores show sporting events, they originally showed music videos instead. Today there are 600 stores around the U.S.
* Read a book from a series in a which a major character is no longer part of the story
* Read a book in which music is important to the plot
* Read a book with two male main characters (tell us the characters’ names)
BURGER KING:
The first Burger King opened in Miami, Florida, in 1954, when it was called Insta-Burger. At the time, burgers and shakes sold for 18 cents each. Today there are 12,000 stores worldwide.
* Read a book with a royal character or a royal word (king, queen, prince, princess) in the title
* Read a book by an author who has written more than 18 books
* Read a book with fire in the title or on the cover (post the cover)
CARRABBA'S ITALIAN GRILL:
The first Carrabba’s opened in 1986 in Houston, Texas, founded by Johnny Carrabba and Damian Mandola. Many of the recipes on their menu came from Damian’s mother, Grace, and his sister, Rose. There are currently over 200 stores throughout the U.S.
* Read a book in which a main character owns a restaurant
* Read a book in which a main character is a mother
* Read a book with an Italian character or a book set in Italy (tell us which option you’ve chosen)
CHECKER'S/RALLY'S:
Rally’s first opened in 1985 in Louisville, Kentucky, while the first Checker’s opened in Mobile, Alabama in 1986. In 1999, the two merged. Although they still operate as separate entities, modern restaurants of the two chains are identical except for the name on the sign. There are now over 800 stores (the two chains combined), including several international branches.
* Read a book written as a collaborative effort by more than two writers. This can be a collection of short stories, a non-fiction collaboration, etc. (tell us the writers’ names)
* Read a book between 150 and 200 pages long (tell us how many pages)
* Read a book set in the 1950s or 1960s (tell us which decade)
CHEESECAKE FACTORY:
The first Cheesecake Factory opened in Los Angeles, California, in 1972, decades after Evelyn Overton opened her first cheesecake shop in Detroit, Michigan. With two small children at home, she had to close her shop and set aside her dream until the children were grown. With close to 170 stores open today, the brand has far surpassed Evelyn’s wildest dreams.
* Read a book in which a character who does NOT own a restaurant/bakery is known for his/her cooking
* Read a book with a dessert of some kind on the cover (post the cover)
* Read a book by an author whose first novel was published after you joined this challenge (tell us when the book was published)
CHIK-FIL-A:
The first restaurant that would later become Chik-Fil-A opened in Hapeville, Georgia, in 1946. Due to the strong influence of the founder’s Southern Baptist beliefs, all Chik-Fil-A stores are closed on Sundays. Today there are over 1,700 stores in 38 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.
* Read a book in which a character’s faith is important to the story
* Read a book with a hyphenated word in the title
* Read a book with an animal larger than a dog on the cover (post the cover)
CHILI'S:
The first Chili’s opened in 1975 in Dallas, Texas. The casual-dining concept was still in its infancy at the time, but the idea soon took off, with most restaurants done in a Southwestern decor. Today the 1400 stores are currently undergoing an extensive rebranding.
* Read a book set in the U.S. Southwest (tell us where the book is set)
For the purposes of this challenge, these states constitute the U.S. Southwest: Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Utah
* Read a book in which a character has a baby under 2 years old (either born during the story or before the book started)
* Read a book that has been re-issued (published again) since its original publication
CHIPOTLE:
The first Chipotle opened in 1993 in Denver, Colorado, where Steve Ells lived during his high school years. It took a year of planning and an investment of funds by his father, but the wait and the cost paid off. Today there are over 1000 stores across the U.S.
* Read a book set in the state where you lived while in high school, or the country where you lived, for our international friends (tell us the state/country)
* Read a book that’s been on your TBR list for more than a year (tell us when you added it)
* Read a book that was expensive (explain to us what makes it expensive)
CRACKER BARREL:
Cracker Barrel is an American chain of combined restaurant and gift stores with a Southern country theme. The first location opened in Lebanon, Tennessee, in 1969. Today there are 620 stores in 42 states across the U.S. Each restaurant features a front porch lined with wooden rocking chairs, a stone fireplace, and artifacts from the local area.
* Read a book set in the U.S. South (tell us where the book is set)
For the purposes of this challenge, these states constitute the U.S. South: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee,Texas and Virginia
* Read a book with a rocking chair or fireplace in the title or on the cover (post the cover)
* Read a lesser-known book by a bestselling author
Ex: one of John Grisham's chapter books for kids