The story
Frank Gordy of Thomaston, Georgia, opened the restaurant in 1928 under the name The Yellow Jacket. Popular legend says he dropped out of Georgia Tech, but Janice McDonald's history of the restaurant says he transferred. As business grew, Gordy moved to 61 North Avenue, and during the drive-in era the Varsity added curbside service.
The North Avenue branch became the largest drive-in fast-food restaurant in the world. The Varsity also described itself as the largest seller of Coca-Cola in the world. Several U.S. presidents have eaten there, including Bill Clinton.
Everything that was here
- 1928–present · still open
The VarsityRestaurant
Frank Gordy opened it in 1928 as "The Yellow Jacket," and the North Avenue location grew into the largest drive-in fast-food restaurant in the world.
See the map in 1929 →
Did you know?
Connected places
Henry's Hamburgers
Insta-Burger King (First Burger King in Miami)
McDonald's Bar-B-Q (Original McDonald's)
The Pickrick Restaurant
Explore the full web of connections on the map.
Nearby history
Omni Coliseum
Fox Theatre
Georgian Terrace Hotel
Terminal Station
Loew's Grand Theatre
Margaret Mitchell House
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