Long before the golden arches dominated the American roadside, Massachusetts had its own hometown hamburger chain that earned a loyal following one burger at a time. For generations of residents, Kemp’s Hamburgers wasn’t just a place to grab a quick meal—it was where families shared an affordable dinner, teenagers gathered after school, and friends met over burgers and milkshakes. Join us as we turn back the clock with another retrospective on things gone by.
The early 1960s saw an explosion in the fast-food industry. Though the market was already becoming crowded with competition, there were still entrepreneurs who saw opportunity. One of them was Boston business executive Lawrence Laskey, who founded Kemp’s of America in 1963. The company’s first restaurant opened in Saugus, Massachusetts, in 1964, introducing a new regional hamburger chain that quickly caught the public’s attention.
Expansion came rapidly. Soon, Kemp’s restaurants opened in Saugus, Medford, Fall River, Brockton, Worcester, Burlington, and Nashua, New Hampshire. By the end of 1964, Kemp’s was recognized as one of the fastest-growing hamburger chains in the country, an impressive accomplishment in an era when new fast-food concepts seemed to appear almost weekly.
Kemp’s became an immediate hit with children and families. The company actively supported local communities by sponsoring youth baseball teams, sweetening every victory with free hamburgers and milkshakes for players after each win. It was the kind of hometown promotion that helped build customer loyalty and made Kemp’s more than just another fast-food restaurant.
Lawrence Laskey became the public face of the growing company, confidently promoting Kemp’s ambitious future. He predicted the chain would expand to more than 100 locations by the end of 1966, including a second Cape Cod restaurant in Falmouth. Those ambitious plans, however, never materialized. While Kemp’s experienced impressive early growth, it remains unclear exactly how many restaurants the chain operated at its peak.
Kemp’s became known for serving simple, satisfying meals at prices families could afford. Many longtime customers still remember when a hamburger cost just 15 cents and a thick, creamy milkshake was only 20 cents—prices that seem almost unimaginable today but reflected a time when a handful of change could buy a memorable meal.
For Fall River residents, the chain’s most famous location stood at Globe Four Corners on Broadway, one of the city’s busiest intersections. Its distinctive sign and steady stream of customers made it a neighborhood landmark. Whether stopping by after a football game, grabbing lunch during a shopping trip, or meeting friends on a summer evening, Kemp’s became woven into the fabric of everyday life.
Despite its popularity and solid business, Kemp’s could not withstand the rapid expansion of national fast-food chains. On Cape Cod, the competitive landscape changed dramatically when McDonald’s opened on Route 132 in Hyannis in 1969, less than a mile from Kemp’s. Soon afterward came Wendy’s, Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Jack in the Box, Burger Chef, and other national brands. With larger advertising budgets and growing franchise networks, these companies steadily eroded the customer base that regional chains like Kemp’s had worked so hard to build.
The Hyannis Kemp’s closed in 1973, and two years later the building became home to Mr. Donut. After the restaurant closed, former Kemp’s manager Ray Cadrin remained in Hyannis, opening the popular Ray’s Sub Shop on Center Street. Cadrin operated the business until his retirement in 1995, becoming a local success story in his own right.
Elsewhere, Kemp’s restaurants gradually disappeared from communities across Massachusetts. Determining which location was the last to operate has proven difficult. A Boylston Street restaurant in Boston was still serving customers as late as 1978, although Kemp’s of America was officially dissolved in 1980, marking the end of one of New England’s most memorable regional hamburger chains.
Today, the famous Broadway location at Globe Four Corners in Fall River is home to a car wash, and little remains to remind passersby that it was once one of the city’s favorite places to enjoy a hamburger and milkshake. Yet for those who remember it, the memories remain vivid—the smell of burgers sizzling on the grill, the taste of a frosty shake, and the excitement of gathering with friends at one of the city’s most popular eateries.
Vintage photographs, menus, advertising pieces, and the stories shared by former customers continue to preserve Kemp’s legacy. They remind us that hometown restaurants often become more than businesses—they become part of the communities they serve.
As we turn back the clock, Kemp’s Hamburgers stands as a reminder of a simpler time, when 15 cents bought a hamburger, 20 cents bought a milkshake, Little League victories were rewarded with free treats, and a stop at Kemp’s was a family tradition. Though the restaurants have long since disappeared from the landscape, their place in Massachusetts history—and in the memories of those who enjoyed them—remains as satisfying as ever.
