23-04-2025
From Route 66 icon to auction item: The revived Red's Giant Hamburg is for sale
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Almost six years after reopening in 2019, the revived Route 66 hamburger joint widely considered to be America's first drive-thru, will sell at auction.
Not part of the reimagined nostalgic design, you'll now see a slew of signs advertising a commercial real estate auction on May 15 outside Red's Giant Hamburg on West Sunshine Street.
The biggest sign reads:
Commercial Real Estate Auction
Thursday May 15, 2025 – 1 PM
Historic Route 66 Restaurant
1.39 Acre Commercial Lot
4,550 Square Feet – Facility Built in 2019
Sells complete!
ALL FIXTURES & EQUIPMENT INCLUDED
Selling Separately: Restored 1955 Buick Special
Red's will remain OPEN until May 14th
Ozarks First talked to one worker inside, who said they just found out about the auction on Monday, April 21 and they weren't sure what it meant for their future at Red's.
The restaurant owner said he did not want to comment until after the auction was over.
Ozarks First was at Red's reopening in August 2019 and spoke to owner David Campbell then.
The original Red's is widely regarded as the nation's first drive-thru restaurant.
Back in 1997, when the founder passed away, the original Red's was torn down. Red's wife, Julia, then sold the rights to just about everything the founder once had to Campbell and his partners.
Campbell told Ozarks First in 2019 that he wanted the restaurant to also function as a museum, though it seems those plans never came to life.
The reason for selling remains unclear.
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