In 1956, Harold and Helen Kite opened Burger Queen in Winter Haven, Florida, with a buzzing mascot — Queenie Bee, a giant cartoon bee representing the brand. In 1961, Louisville-based partners helped the chain expand to over 100 locations across Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee. Then, in 1981, Burger Queen changed its name to Druther’s, and in place of the buzzing Queenie Bee came Andy Dandytale, who appeared on meal boxes and in TV ads.
At its peak, Druther’s had 171 locations in the U.S. and even franchises in England, Canada, Taiwan, and the UAE. But, competition was tough, and by 1990, the company struck a deal to convert most of its restaurants into Dairy Queens. By 1991, Druther’s had all but disappeared — except for one last location in Campbellsville, Kentucky, which still operates today, serving burgers, fried chicken, and a dose of nostalgia.
