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The Retro Kmart Restaurant Chain Almost Nobody Remembers By Erica Martinez Nov. 6, 2025 1:00 pm EST

The last time I was in a Kmart, I remember the location having a Nathan's Famous restaurant inside. Prior to that, my childhood memories of shopping at the once-giant retail corporation include being able to get ICEE's inside the stores. Apparently, before the famous premium hot dogs and the cherry-flavored frozen treats, several Kmarts were home to Kmart Chef Restaurants. From 1967 to 1974, the company opened 11 of these eateries across the country, from New Mexico to Pennsylvania.

The first Kmart Chef opened at a store in Pontiac, Michigan, and offered the kind of casual, affordable fare found at fast food joints: Hamburgers, fries, hot dogs, fried chic

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