For nearly 60 years Little Chef was a familiar and friendly sight on Kent’s motorways and A-roads.

The chain was founded in 1958 by Sam Alper who, inspired by American diners, created the roadside restaurants to cater for legions of travel-weary families, motorists and businessmen.

It was famous for its Olympic Breakfast – its version of a full English – as well as its Early Started and Jubilee Pancakes. Kids – and adults who sheepishly asked – will also fondly recall the red lollipops handed out after a meal.

In its prime the chain boasted 439 branches nationwide but by the turn of the century it had fallen into decline and despite later attempts to save the brand – including a roadside revamp by celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal – it had reached the end of the road.

Little Chef fell into administration in 2007 and five years later the last four Kent locations shut for good before the chain shut its final UK branch in 2018.

Still remembered fondly by many, KentOnline has taken a trip down memory lane and rounded up a list of all 22 former Kent branches to see what has taken their place today…

Dover Eastern Docks

A Little Chef Express opened at Dover Eastern Docks in 1997 inside the Terminal 1 building.

It shut down in the 2000s.

A256 Richborough service station, Sandwich

The Little Chef branch in Sandwich is believed to have opened in 1986 but closed in 2005.

The site has been a Subway since around 2012.

A28 Staines Hill, Westbere, near Canterbury

The branch opened in 1976 and is believed to have shut in 1979.

It then became The Westbere Butts Inn before closing in the mid 2000’s.

The site later opened as Spice Master, and Indian restaurant, however it closed and the building was pulled down for homes to be built.

A299 Thanet Way, Whitstable East

The branch opened in 1987 and shut in September 2012.

It reopened for four years as Buffalo Cafe, and in 2017 Starbucks moved into the building which remains today.

Above: The former little Chef in Thanet Way in March 2009 and the Starbucks that stands today, pictured in September 2023. Picture: Google

A299 Thanet Way, Hernhill, Whitstable West

The westbound Little Chef opened in 1996 and shut in 2008.

The building is now home to a Costa Coffee and a Subway.

A2 Eastbound in Harbledown, between the M2 and Canterbury

Little Chef was built at the small service station in 1984.

It shut in 2005 and became Mickey’s Diner, then Fab’s Diner.

The building was torched by a disgruntled employee in July 2011 and has been derelict ever since.

A2 London bound Gate Services in Dunkirk, between Faversham and Canterbury

The branch opened at the service area in 1983 and shut in 2012.

Sheila’s Kitchen opened in its place in 2013, and was run and bought by the former branch manager.

This ended up shutting in 2019.

Plans to build a Costa at the site were approved in 2022 however the hot drinks company has not yet moved into the building.

Above: The former Little Chef at Gate Services in July 2009 compared to derelict Sheila’s Kitchen in April 2023. Pictures: Google

A259 Seabrook Road, Seabrook, Hythe

This branch opened in 1986 and shut in 2005.

Since closing, it has been a number of restaurants including Down Town Diner and Spice Cottage.

Chameleon Cafe has been at the site since 2020, however is is currently temporarily closed.

Just off the A20 Ashford Road, Cheriton, Folkestone

The Little Chef opened in 1987 and shut in 2001.

Luxfords Hair and Beauty is currently at the former building, near The Range.

Channel Tunnel, Folkestone

There was once a Little Chef at the LeShuttle Terminals at The Channel Tunnel.

The branch opened in 1994 and shut in 2001.

It’s not known exactly where the unit was, but the food court currently has fast food chains such as Burger King, Leon and Starbucks.

A259 Brenzett, near New Romney

The Little Chef here opened in 1989 and shut in 2012.

Skinners Sheds has stood in its place since around 2019.

Above: The former Little Chef in Brenzett in March 2009, compared to the current Skinners Shed in 2021. Pictures: Google

Eureka Leisure Park, Rutherford Road, Ashford

A Little Chef opened here in 2000 and shut in 2005.

It was situated on the bottom floor of the Travel Lodge which still stands today, but shut due to competition on the retail park.

A20 Maidstone Road, Charing

The branch opened in 1996 and shut in 2005.

The building is currently a restaurant – Jasmine House Chinese Cuisine.

A21 Lamberhurst, Tunbridge Wells

The branch opened in 1996 and shut in 2012.

It became a car garage in 2015 and is currently called Route One Car Sales.

A225 Sevenoaks Road, Otford

It opened in 1977 and shut in 1987.

A229 Old Chatham Road, Blue Bell Hill, Aylesford

The Little Chef at Blue Bell Hill opened in 1998 however shut in 2005.

The building was bought by a local man Michael Schembri who opened Mickey’s Diner, which still stands today.

A249 Detling

The Detling Little Chef opened in 1996, after previously being a Happy Eater – its direct competitor at the time.

The restaurant ended up shutting in 2011 and it was turned into Mickey’s Rock Diner.

The building has been home to Detling Diner A249 since 2021.

Above: The former Little Chef in Detling in July 2009 compared to the current Detling Diner pictured in August 2023. Pictures: Google

A249 Stockbury Valley, near Sittingbourne

The Stockbury branch opened in 1996 and shut in 2005.

The site is now Roydens Ltd Prestige Car Centre.

M2 Moto Medway Services

The Little Chef at the Medway service station opened in 1996 and shut in 2008.

A2 Rainham

The former branch in Rainham opened in 1974 and shut in 2003.

Since its closure, it has been a number of car garages: Sparshatts of Kent Ltd, Medway Autos, and Kent Car Supermarket.

It has been a Suzuki garage since 2021.

A2 Cobham North and South

A service station was opened on each side of the road in 1968 and each side had a petrol station and a Little Chef.

The eastbound restaurant shut in 2007 and both the building and the petrol station were demolished.

The westbound Little Chef shut the same year, however the forecourt still remains and there is a Greggs and Hursts Grab & Go on the site.

Both restaurants shut in 2007.

Do you have fond memories of stopping off and eating at any of Kent’s former Little Chef’s listed above? Let us know below.