Racine, Wisconsin may have a fancy art museum, but it is also home to a Kewpee. Open since 1923, Kewpee is one of the earliest franchises of hamburger fast-food restaurants. In the 1920s there were over 200 restaurants in the Midwest and East; and by World War II the number doubled to 400. Now there are just 5 are left. This is the only one left in Wisconsin. The chain is named after the Kewpie doll, which was created in 1909 by artist Rose O’Neil for Ladies’ Home Journal. By the 1920s, the big-eyed, often naked cartoon-like drawing came to life as a toy doll, and its image appeared on everything from books to soap boxes.
The inside of the Racine location has a collection of everything Kewpie-related. There are about 300-400 dolls on display. Although some might find it nearly impossible to eat with those things looking over you, I didn’t have that problem. Maybe I’m not easily creeped out as some people. And to show that everything is connected in some way, Dave Thomas, the founder of Wendy’s, said in an interview that as a child he lived near a now-defunct Kewpee in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He said it was what inspired him to go into the fast food business. So if you like to eat at Wendy’s, remember to thank a Kewpie doll next time you see one.
