PITTSBURGH,None — After 44 years in business, Hartley King is merging his Kings Family Restaurants chain with Unique Ventures Group LLC, which owns franchises for dozens of local Perkins restaurants.
King, 76, announced the pending merger on Thursday, saying it would financially support Kings' continued growth and fund new programs at its 34 western Pennsylvania locations. Unique Ventures had been talking to Kings about buying up to six of the restaurants.
The restaurants, which employ 2,400 people.people, are known for their apple pie and cinnamon ice cream and Frownie brownie desserts
Kings will keep its White Oak headquarters, with about 20 employees. Other details of the merger have not been finalized, but Kings does not anticipate any change to their operation, leadership or supply partners.
"We're very excited about this partnership with Unique Ventures," said King. "This funding will allow us to continue to invest in our restaurants with updated interiors, exciting new menu items and much more."
People who eat there were surprised about the news.
"That is kind of surprising. I worked here when I was a kid in 1974 and I can't believe Hartley is going to give it up," said customer Tony Verrico.
"I've known the family for years, and it's a good family restaurant. We like the food," said customer Shirley Berchok.
The first Kings Family Restaurant opened in 1966 in North Versailles.
Channel 11's news exchange partners at TribLIVE contributed to this report.
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