Dear Friends of Dick’s Drive-In Restaurants,

Today I am 90 years young! The drive-in restaurant that many people said wouldn’t amount to much will soon turn 60 and now consists of sixDick’s Drive-In locations!

Both milestones are remarkable and would not have been possible without the love and support of my family, the vision and hard work of my co-founders, and our amazing employees.

I know that my family shares with me a deep sense of gratitude for all the special people that have touched and influenced our lives, and all the great memories that have been made along the way.

I want to first say thank you to my late co-founders Warren Ghormley and Dr. B.O.A. “Tom” Thomas, for everything they did to help create and sustain our business during our first 37 years.

Thank you to the thousands of people who have worked at Dick’s over the years. We would never have this wonderful opportunity to celebrate our upcoming 60th anniversary without your hard work and personal commitment to our customers.

Thank you to our customers. We wouldn’t have lasted a week, let alone 60 years without you! Ever since we opened our doors on January 28, 1954, you’ve embraced us with your support and loyalty.

Thank you to my family, and especially my wife of over 58 years, Ina Lou, for your support and understanding.

And finally, I would like to say thank you to all the people who share this beautiful place we call home. We are all blessed to be able to live here, for as much time as God allows.

Dick Spady, President

Visit the website at www.dicksdrivein.com
Join the conversation and fun on Facebook and Twitter
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Seattle – It’s the ultimate Broadway Block Party complete with local Seattle bands, craft brews, and two surprise guests for the biggest posse gathering in the company’s history. Dick’s Drive-Ins announced today that they are closing Broadway Avenue between East John Street and East Denny Way this Sunday, Sept. 8 to celebrate the company’s 60th Anniversary. The event begins at noon with live music from 2:00 p.m. through 10:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

“What better way to say ‘thank you’ to our customers and celebrate Dick’s strong connection to the people and places we love than by throwing the ultimate block party,” said Saul Spady, the party’s emcee, and grandson of Dick Spady, co-founder and president of Dick’s Drive-In Restaurants, Inc.

“No matter your taste in music, the band lineup covers Seattle’s music spectrum from hip-hop, to folk, to alternative rock and includes Motoponyand Don’t Talk To The Cops, and we’ve even got music for the kids with the super-popular, family-friendly band Recess Monkey to kick things off at 2:00 p.m.,” Spady said.

Spady added, “We always have a focus on our fans and on charity and this party is no different. Thanks to the generosity of other great local companies, all beer garden proceeds and water sales will go to our 8 “Change for Charity” organizations that serve the homeless in Seattle and Edmonds,” Spady said.

Dick’s Change for Charity program has raised almost $800,000 through customer donations to help local charities that serve the homeless. A list of charity organizations is available on the website http://dicksdrivein.com/giving

Companies that donated beer include Elysian Brewing Company, Fremont Brewing Company, Georgetown Brewing Company, Hilliard’s Beer, Silver City Brewery & Taproom, and Xpedx Distributors donated the bottled water.

Fans will select Sunday’s 4:00 p.m. act through a Facebook contest between the following bands at https://facebook.com/dicksdrivein. Voting continues until midnight on Thursday.

Broadway Block Party Band lineup in reverse order from the finale band performance to kick-off act:

• Motopony
• Don’t Talk To The Cops
• Tilson XOXO
• Radio Raheem
• Sammy Witness & The Reassignment
• Funky 2 Death
• Dick’s Facebook Block Party Band Winner
• Recess Monkey kicks-off for families at 2:00 PM

Two surprise performance guests, so stay tuned…

Visit the website at www.dicksdrivein.com
Join the conversation and fun on Facebook and Twitter
www.Facebook.com/DicksDriveIn
www.Twitter.com/DicksDriveIns

Seattle – It’s that time of year when senioritis and “all-nighters” give way to graduation celebrations and free cheeseburgers! Dick’s Drive-In Restaurants announced today their 18th annual grad giveaway with a free cheeseburger or regular hamburger, now through June 21, for any high school or college graduates who show up at any Dick’s Drive-In in their cap and gown.

“Graduation season is one of our favorite times of the year,” said Jim Spady, Dick’s Drive-In vice president, “It’s an important milestone and we love seeing all the grads in their colorful caps and gowns. It’s our way of saying ‘congratulations for a job well done.'”

Spady added that Dick’s Drive-Ins has made education a cornerstone of their community investments. “We offer our employees up to $22,000 in college scholarship funds over four years, to help them earn associate, bachelor and even graduate degrees. It’s the most important investment we make every year,” said Spady.

The company has given over $1.3 million in college scholarships to employees in the past 21 years. There are currently 59 employees enrolled in the scholarship program. To qualify, employees must work at least 20 hours a week while in college.

For the first time, Dick’s is launching a Best Graduation Photo contest on Facebook. Take a grad picture in front of any Dick’s restaurant and share on Dick’s Facebook page http://facebook.com/dicksdrivein. The winner will receive $100 in Dick’s Dollars. All contest photos must be posted no later than June 21, 2013.

Contest Rules: Dick’s will decide the winner from the photos submitted by June 21. All typical contest rules apply, including no purchase necessary, Dick’s employees are not eligible to win, all photos entered become the property of Dick’s, etc.

Visit the website at www.dicksdrivein.com
Join the conversation and fun on Facebook and Twitter
www.Facebook.com/DicksDriveIn
www.Twitter.com/DicksDriveIns

Seattle – You may have sang the tunes of Bill Haley and The Comets, or Seattle greats Heart, Nirvana, Sir-Mix-A-lot or Macklemore, but for almost 6 decades, Dick’s Drive-Ins has been the classic place to hangout, make memories, and enjoy great burgers, hand-cut fries, and old fashioned shakes no matter who’s on your playlist.

We plan to celebrate by turning back the clock to 1954 with 10-cent Cokes and the customer favorite 2-for-the-price-of-1 cheeseburgers.

FRIDAY, Jan. 25, ALL day 10-cent Cokes or soft drinks – any size

TUESDAY, Jan. 29, 2:00 PM to 6:30 PM, 2-for-the-
price-of-1 cheeseburgers and regular hamburgers
(Offer excludes the Deluxe and Special burgers,
Limit free 3 burgers per customer)

WHERE: All 6 Dick’s Drive-In Restaurants
DicksDriveIn.com

Dick’s first opened its doors on January 28, 1954. 59 years later, Dick’s 100% beef burgers and buns are still made fresh and never frozen; Dick’s fries are still hand-cut daily from fresh, never-frozen, potatoes; and Dick’s shakes are still hand-dipped and individually whipped the old fashioned way.

Many thanks to our loyal customers and great employees for almost 6 decades of great memories and for making Dick’s the hometown burger favorite.

Visit the website at www.dicksdrivein.com
Join the conversation and fun on Facebook and Twitter
www.Facebook.com/DicksDriveIn
www.Twitter.com/DicksDriveIns

Seattle – Dick’s Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. announced today free burgers, fries, and sodas in honor of Veterans Day, Sunday, Nov. 11. Any burger on the menu including the famous, quarter-pound Dick’s Deluxe, plus an order of, Dick’s hand-cut fries and a 16 ounce soda will be served free throughout the day at all 6 Dick’s Drive-In Restaurants to any veteran or active military member as a way to honor past and present military service.

“It’s a full-meal thank you,” says Jim Spady, vice president of Dick’s Drive-Ins and son of namesake and co-founder Dick Spady. “In the past we’ve celebrated Veterans Day with free cheeseburgers, but this year we wanted to do more. Nothing compares to the great sacrifice of our veterans and the level of service expressed by our men and women in uniform. They deserve our recognition and gratitude.”

Beginning at 10:30 a.m. until closing on Sunday, Nov. 11, all veteran and active duty military members who can show any form of military identification or wear their military uniform will receive one free burger, plus fries, and a regular-sized soda at all 6 Dick’s Drive-In Restaurants at the Wallingford, Broadway, Holman Road, Lake City, Queen Anne, and Edmonds locations.

Spady added, “My dad, Dick, served in the Navy in World War II and the Air Force during the Korean War. My mom was in the Navy when she met my dad and now my daughter serves in the Navy. Our family holds a deep respect and admiration for our veterans and service members.”

Visit the website at www.dicksdrivein.com
Join the conversation and fun on Facebook and Twitter
www.Facebook.com/DicksDriveIn
www.Twitter.com/DicksDriveIns

What’s better than a cheeseburger hot off the grill? A FREE Dick’s cheeseburger hot off the grill! Dick’s Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. announced today that they are bringing back the famous 2-for-1 hamburgers and cheeseburgers on Monday, Oct. 22nd, 3:00 to 10:00 p.m. only at all six restaurants.

But there’s a catch. Customers have to say the CODE WORD to get the free burgers. Starting Oct. 16th, customers are encouraged to tune-in EACH DAY, between 2:00 and 3:00 p.m to Facebook and Twitter to gather clues to the CODE WORD.

The Code Word Campaign and 2-for-1 burgers are part of the Holman Road Dick’s Drive-In’s Grand Re-Opening.

Limit 3 free burgers per customer.

In honor of Dick’s Drive-Ins’ President and co-founder, Dick Spady’s 89th birthday, people shared special memories that spanned over 45 years and six decades! We treasure every one of them, but here are a few of our favorites…enjoy a fun run down memory lane!

Bob Blackburn
My dad was the broadcaster for the Seattle Super Sonics, and I graduated from Newport High in 1969. In the early 1970’s I needed a job, and theDick’s in Bellevue was hiring, I had long hair and had to wear a wig at work. It was the year they launched the “Dick’s Special.”
When I moved to Seattle in the mid 1980’s and lived on First Ave. North, my kitchen window faced the back door of the Dick’s on Lower Queen Anne. I still have a Dick’s t-shirt I found in a thrift store in the Seattle area years ago that I wear from time to time.
My dad would have been 88 years old yesterday and my mom turned 85 on Saturday. I live in California now and will be up in a few months to take mom out for a Dick’s Special. Happy 89th Birthday, Dick!

Ashley Tato
Oct. 20, 2011 I stood in line for three hours with Larry and Sheri Yohn, and Jaimie Power at the Edmonds Grand Opening. Little did I know, I would meet an amazing man that night. I thought this boy (Brock M. Gudgeon) that I bumped in to was cute and Jaimie dared me to give him my phone number.
I don’t do things like that, but I did that night, and Brock and I have been inseparable ever since. We now live together, have two dogs, and are one happy family!
We will be back at the Edmonds Dick’s on Oct. 20th, 2012 to celebrate our one-year anniversary together by having a candlelight dinner in the back of the Edge eating Dick’s burgers. I think this will be a tradition for us every year!!! If it were not for your Grand Opening, we would never have met.

Kimberly Yockey
Dick’s has always been and always will be the best place to eat and to work. I had the honor of running the 45th store for many years, and while it was not always easy, I had the time of my life! I want to wish Dick a Happy Birthday and than him for all the support he provided me during my tenure at Dick’s.

Pam Hartman Jussel
I’ve been married for 43 years to a wonderful man whom I met in the parking lot at the Lake City Dick’s in November of 1968! Thank you,Dick’s Drive-In! I don’t know what my life would have been without you!

Jeesup Bangham
The first time I had ever heard of Dick’s was on the Sir-Mix-A-Lot song “My Posse’s on Broadway,” while living in Alaska.
After moving to Seattle in the late 1990’s, I was more formally introduced to the magnificent creation that is a Dick’s Deluxe. Dick’s was there when it was all I could afford for a meal, and Dick’s is still there now when I want to have a great burger, or the best fries and shakes in the city!
I absolutely adore Dick’s and always will.
Signed by a loving fan of a truly great Seattle institution.

Julie D. McQuiston
We go swing dancing just down the way at Century Ballroom, and a night is never complete without a trip to Dick’s!
In fact, I was with a friend at the Pacific Northwest Ballet for the first time last week and I said that we couldn’t go home without a milkshake and fries! She said that the fries were some of the BEST she’s ever had! Thank you Dick’s for helping to start new traditions and to grow friendships!

Many thanks to everyone who shared their special Dick’s memories and who wished Dick a very happy birthday.

Seattle – It’s that time of year when senioritis and “all-nighters” give way to graduation celebrations and free cheeseburgers! Dick’s Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. announced today their 17^th annual grad giveaway, now through June 21, with free cheeseburgers or regular hamburgers for any high school or college graduates who show up at any Dick’s Drive-In in their cap and gown.

“Graduation season is one of our favorite times of the year,” said Jim Spady, Dick’s Drive-In vice president, “It’s an important milestone and we love seeing all the grads in their colorful caps and gowns. It’s our way of saying ‘congratulations for a job well done.”

Spady added that Dick’s Drive-Ins has made education a cornerstone of their community investments. “We offer full and part-time employees up to $22,000 in college scholarship funds. It’s the most important investment in someone’s future we can make,” said Spady.

The company has given over $1.2 million in college scholarships to employees in the past 20 years. There are currently 59 employees enrolled in the scholarship program including 10 from the new Edmonds drive-in. To qualify, employees must work at least 20 hours a week.

Dick’s employees Shiloh Swainson and Blaine Wynn share what Dick’s scholarships mean to them on the Dick’s Drive-In Facebook pagewww.facebook.com/DicksDriveIn/videos

Share your graduation photos at Dick’s Drive-Ins’ Facebook page at http://facebook.com/dicksdrivein

Douglas “Stringtie” Creson: The 80’s Buzz Scooter Club

Every Sunday at noon we would meet at Dick’s on Broadway for lunch while we planned our day’s ride.

Every week 20-30 Vespa and Lambretta scooters would lineup in the parking lot for our weekly ride to a local landmark such as Hat and Boots, Jimi Hendricks grave, Gasworks Park, Georgetown Steam Plant, or a scenic drive along Lake Washington Blvd, or Kerry Park on Queen Anne hill.

We always created quite a spectacle roaring down Broadway as we scooted off.

John Keister did a segment on us for Almost Live and the Rocket Magazine had a full page spread of our club. We even had our own fanzine.

Louise Uriu: Post 80’s Wedding Anniversary Burger Run

After a posh 50th wedding anniversary in Seattle, my husband and I decided to hit Dick’s on the way home. As we pulled into the parking lot, imagine our surprise when we realized that my mom, my brother, and my aunt all had the same idea!

Brian Pierce: Never Buy Fewer Than 3 Deluxes…

After closing the Anacortes McDonalds at 11 p.m., we would cram 7 very large crew members in to a tiny Hyundai Hatchback and rocket down the highway towards The U District, leaving sparks on the highway with every slight bump we hit and trying to remember exactly which exit we needed to take (we could never all agree).

When we finally DID make it to Dicks, usually with about 20 minutes to spare before they closed for the night, we would pull up and start unloading portly McDonalds crew members in their full work uniforms from our little hatchback clown car. Thank goodness this was in a time before cellphone cameras and the Internet, can you imagine the absolute SCANDAL of it all? We were each buying giant orders, too… I personally would order a bag of 20 Dicks Deluxes so I would have enough for every meal over the course of the next week, and everyone else in the car I know was ordering at least 10 Deluxes each! We usually attracted quite a bit of attention, lots of questions, lots of “Is it legal for you guys to eat here?” type of comments… it felt like we were celebrities!

Our Manager, Todd, taught me that you NEVER buy less than three Dicks Deluxes at a time; one to eat right away, one to leave on the dashboard o your car and one for in your pocket while you walk around because you never know when you’ll wish you had a Deluxe with you. And then when you get back to the car, you have a Deluxe sitting on your dashboard, cooking for the drive home!

To this day, I still buy no fewer that 3 Deluxes at a time…

Favorite Dick’s Memory:

It’s an 80’s Flashback contest! If you lived through big hair, Max Headroom, and the sage advice of Ferris Bueller and Alex Keaton, then share with us your favorite Dick’s Drive-In memory and win some fun prizes. We’re going Back to the Future with SIFF Cinema as they gear up for their special Uptown Theater event March 31st.

Tell us in 50 words or less why your 80’s flashback beats the rest.

Email your entries to [email protected] flashback contest

Contest deadline is 8 PM Thursday, March 29th. We’ll post the winners on Friday March 30th.

Prizes: $20 worth of Dick’s Bucks, t-shirt and SIFF Cinema tickets

Big Hair Contest:

Mouse it, jell it, spike it to the max. We want your biggest big hair to pay homage to that 80’s over-the-top, glam rock style.

WHEN: Saturday, March 31st 10:00 PM
WHERE: Queen Anne Dick’s Drive-In

Prizes: $20 worth of Dick’s Bucks, t-shirt and SIFF Cinema tickets

Come early for the SIFF Uptown Theater event with actor Lea Thompson and the Pacific Northwest DeLorean Club

WHEN: 8:30 PM Queen Anne Avenue in front of the Uptown Theater. The DeLoreans will be on display in the Dick’s Queen Anne parking lot.