Pal's Sudden Service
The Tennessee drive-thru with giant burgers on the roof and a national quality award.
About Pal's Sudden Service
Fred “Pal” Barger went to a restaurant convention in Chicago in 1955, met Ray Kroc and Fred Turner, and studied how the first McDonald’s was being built and equipped. A year later he opened the first Pal’s in Kingsport, Tennessee. The chain has stayed close to home ever since, concentrated in the Tri-Cities region.
Pal’s is famous far beyond its size for two things. Its bright blue drive-thrus carry huge sculptures of burgers, hot dogs and drinks on the roof, added in 1985. And in 2001 it became the first restaurant company to win the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, thanks to a training culture of flashcards, quizzes and more than 200 hours of instruction per employee.
About 30 drive-thrus in northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia, around the Tri-Cities.
Burger menu
Signature burgers first. Only burgers and sandwiches, no sides.
Where to find Pal's Sudden Service
27 locations on the map. Tap a pin for directions.Loading the map…
Locations as mapped by OpenStreetMap volunteers, updated October 2026. The count can trail the chain’s own figures; check the chain’s store finder before you travel. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
If you like Pal's Sudden Service
Chains whose signature burgers are built the same way.- Back Yard Burgers (United States, since 1987). A Mississippi Delta drive-thru that grills its burgers over an open flame, like at home. Also built on beef and a double stack.
- Sonic Drive-In (United States, since 1953). Order through a speaker from your car and a carhop brings the burger. Also built on beef and a double stack.
- Jack's (United States, since 1960). Alabama’s home-grown fast-food chain, where biscuits share the menu with the Big Jack. Also built on beef and a double stack.
- Checkers & Rally's (United States, since 1986). Two names, one menu, double drive-thrus and fries everyone argues about. Also built on beef and a double stack.
Not affiliated with Pal's Sudden Service. Trademarks and logos belong to their owners. Descriptions are my own; nutrition figures come from the chain’s published information, checked September 2026.