The Black Entrepreneur Built an Iconic Burger Franchise and Gave Back Through Philanthropy
Fatburger has been serving up big burgers and delighting customers since 1952, becoming a cherished part of American culture. Known for its hand-pressed, never-frozen burgers, crispy onion rings and homemade chili, the brand has grown from a small Los Angeles stand into a global franchise. The legacy fast food franchise is now owned by FAT Brands and continues to expand globally, with more than 200 locations across 20 countries. The visionary behind this iconic burger franchise is Lovie Yancey.
The pioneering Black entrepreneur was born on Jan. 3, 1912, in Bastrop, Texas, and is best known for laying the foundation for Fatburger’s global success.
The Founding of Fatburger
Yancey gave birth to her daughter, Gwendolyn, in 1931 and soon after moved to Los Angeles, according to Travel Noire. During her time in the City of Angels, she collaborated with Charles Simpson, a construction worker, on a new business venture. The partnership worked because of his construction background and her prior experience running a restaurant in Tuscon.
They established a three-stool hamburger stand on Western Ave. in South Central Los Angeles in 1947 and called it Mr. Fatburger. This was a play on words using the 1950s slang where “fat” meant “top of the line” or “the best.” In keeping with the theme, the hamburger stand featured retro-styling, from the menus to the music that was played. The Western Avenue location quickly gained popularity, leading Yancey and Simpson to open three more restaurants between 1947 to 1952.
Their partnership came to an end in 1952, and Yancey retained ownership of the original burger restaurant. According to Travel Noire, she dropped the “Mr.” from the original name and went on to create the blueprint for the Fatburger franchise that remains today.
Yancey was incredibly dedicated to the business, sometimes working 16-hour shifts to ensure that everything ran smoothly. By 1973, she opened a Fatburger on La Cienega Boulevard in Beverly Hills, a major thoroughfare in the Los Angeles metropolitan area that stretches from the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood to El Segundo Boulevard in Hawthorne. The prime location helped attract celebrities like Ray Charles and Redd Foxx.
The Fatburger Franchise
Fatburger began franchising in 1985, expanding to more than 15 locations throughout Southern California. The burger franchise thrived, earning a spot on Entrepreneur’s annual Franchise 500 list for three consecutive years (1985-1987).
The Texas native sold the company’s rights to a group of investors while still maintaining control of the original location on Western Ave. in 1991. Magic Johnson’s Johnson Development Corporation, along with a few other investors, bought the burger franchise in 2001, and Yancey later sold the original location under the condition that it could never be torn down. Magic Johnson and his partners sold most of their steak in the burger franchise to a group led by then CEO Keith Warlick in 2003, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Under new ownership, Fatburger set its sights on international expansion. The burger franchise opened its first Canadian location in 2005, followed by Dubai in 2009. Today, Fatburger is owned by FAT Brands, a holding company of restaurant brands including Marble Slab Creamery, Johnny Rockets, Hurricane Grill & Wings, Great American Cookies, Ponderosa & Bonanza, Buffalo’s Cafe, Elevation Burger, Hot Dog on a Stick, Twin Peaks and Pretzelmaker.
Yancey’s Legacy
Yancey passed away from pneumonia in 2008, but her legacy can still be felt today. Fatburger cemented its place in pop culture, particularly in hip-hop. The brand has been name-dropped in countless rap songs, including Ice Cube’s It Was a Good Day and The Notorious B.I.G.’s Going Back to Cali. According to Eater Los Angeles, Fatburger’s influence in rap culture stems from its deep roots in Los Angeles and its status as a go-to late-night spot for artists and locals alike.
Its cultural impact extended beyond music. According to the Los Angeles Times, popular late night talk show host David Letterman listed Fatburger as one of the “Top 10 Things He Would Miss When Leaving Los Angeles.” The beloved burger franchise became an essential part of the city’s identity, earning praise from celebrities and locals alike.
In 1986, Yancey showed her dedication to giving back by creating a $1.7 million endowment at City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte to support sickle-cell anemia research. She made this promise to her grandson, Duran Farrell, who passed away from the disease at just 22 years old, according to abc news.
As a trailblazing Black entrepreneur, Yancey helped pave the way for future Black business owners. Today, there are more than 3.5 million Black-owned businesses in the U.S., employing over 1.2 million people, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Yancey’s legacy exemplifies how building a culturally significant brand can also make a meaningful impact on people’s lives.
