A once popular fast-food chain is hoping to bring its restaurants back to Kent high streets.

Before the time of McDonald’s and Burger King, Wimpy would be where friends and families would turn for their hamburger fix – now the diner is “harking back to its heritage” after revamping one of its most popular restaurants in the county in a bid to welcome back customers.

A recent £300,000 investment into its Maidstone branch in Gabriel’s Hill has seen it take on a fresh new look.

It remained closed for nearly six months while a major refurb was underway and opened its doors to foodies last week.

The changes, which have come under a new franchisee, have seen the site stripped down and fitted with new floor and wall coverings, ceilings and electric plumbing.

There are new booths sporting the diner’s iconic red, and fresh coffee, shake and ice cream machines.

UK General Manager for Wimpy Chris Woolfenden: “Realistically, the overall investment was to build a new restaurant.

“It's a much softer feel – you don't feel like you're in some kind of huge canteen.”

Wimpy had once been the place to be – it was one of the founders of franchising in the UK and its popularity skyrocketed during the 60s and 70s.

But with newer fast-food chains arriving on the scene, its diner numbers dwindled soon after – though it has maintained some dedicated fans over the years.

Currently, there are only six branches left in Kent.

In April, KentOnline reported how one of its remaining franchises in Ashford would be changing hands after 30 years and would reopen later this year but with “no firm date set”.

So what does this latest investment mean for its surviving restaurants and how will it keep up against competitors in 2024?

Chris said: “It's a very competitive marketplace to be in but when we do something, we want to do it well.

“Our service levels are very different, our offerings are different – our franchisees and their staff actually get to know their customers.

“If you're coming into a Wimpy, you'll be taken to your seat, you'll be seated, we take your order, and it's delivered.

“We still use crockery, real knives and forks, if you want a cup of tea it'll be delivered in a teapot.

“So, there's that hark back to Wimpy's heritage, but we're doing that in a modern environment.”

Since making changes at the Maidstone franchise, the manager says they have had “encouraging comments” from customers who are “absolutely over the moon” with its new look.

It is hoping to focus on what the brand was originally built upon while continuing to expand like it once had in its glory days.

Chris added: “We want to bring Wimpy back to high streets and back into towns that maybe we've traded in or maybe we haven't traded in the past.

“As far as Wimpy Restaurants Group is concerned, there is growth and availability in Kent, and nothing would please me more but I am also looking at other areas.”