A restaurant chain that was popular across the UK in the 1980s had a branch right here in Manchester, offering families a variety of meals for a decent price.
Happy Eater was known for its bright yellow branding, creepy-looking red mascot logo and its animal-shaped play areas. The restaurant chain arrived on the scene in 1973, and by the 1980s, it had taken over the UK.
The majority of Happy Eaters were situated next to motorways and main roads, with the Manchester branch being near the A34. Its location made it easy for people to visit on the way home from work and school.
READ MORE:
M any locals and tourists visited the restaurant throughout its time, tucking into a variety of meals which included the Happy Eater Fast Fry, fish and chips and burgers which reportedly cost £2.75. Children’s options included Dog's Delight, Little Porkers and Mr Happy's Ice Cream.
The restaurant also offered milkshakes and cola ice cream floats. If you visited Happy Eater as a child, you may fondly remember being given a cap and badge saying “I’m a Happy Eater” or “Happy Head”.
Happy Eater was so loved by families that Parents Magazine declared the brand as the best restaurant chain for families in 1983. Despite its popularity, the red mascot that featured on the Happy Eater logo received quite a lot of stick, with the Pac-Man-shaped figure seemingly sticking his finger down his throat.
In 1991, the brand became associated with the Prime Minister at the time, John Major. He was seen eating at one of the branches ahead of giving a speech, and it was reported he visited Happy Eater restaurants regularly.
The Happy Eater chain closed in 1995 after it was bought by Granada. The company decided it would focus solely on Happy Eater's sister restaurant, Little Chef, with the majority of Happy Eaters being converted into them.
What are your memories of Happy Eater? Let us know in the comments section below.
Join our Greater Manchester history, memories and people Facebook group here.
Love Greater Manchester's past? Sign up to our new nostalgia newsletter and never miss a thing.
Read next:
-
Inside Manchester's old Smithfield Market in fascinating throwback photos
-
Eerie photos taken inside abandoned Greater Manchester hospital show decaying medical equipment
-
Manchester's lost underground shopping centre was 'only place' to buy skinny jeans in the 1970s
-
Inside eerie abandoned hotel still scattered with deserted belongings and rotting food
-
Lost Manchester TV studio 'haunted' by an actor who died during a live broadcast
