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H. Salt Esquire is a Monterey Park, California-based fast food restaurant chain which specializes in fish and chips. The chain joined with KFC in 1969 to expand its operations throughout the United States.
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History
H. Salt Esq. was first opened in California in 1965 under the name Salt's Fish & Chips and was founded by Haddon Salt. The H. Salt Esq. website gives the following historical background of the company:
Haddon Salt operated his fish and chips store in Skegness, in the northeastern corner of England, as his father had before him. Americans passing through were taken by the taste of Salt's "non-greasy" fish & chips. Persuaded by the American enthusiasm for his fish, he and his wife Grace came to the United States and opened their first shop in Sausalito, California, under the name of "Salt's Fish & Chips." The year was 1965. Although the shops were successful, the name Salt's Fish & Chips was not right. When Haddon consulted an advertising firm, it was suggested that he use the initial of his first name and add "Esq." for an English touch. The name of the new operation became "H. Salt, Esq. Authentic English Fish and Chips."[1]
KFC entered a joint-venture with H. Salt in 1969. It sold off the chain in 1980.
H. Salt today
Currently there are 26 independently owned franchise locations throughout southern California and one in northern California (Sacramento).[2]
While there were once 50 or 60 locations in the Toronto, Ontario, Canada, area, all that remains in Canada today are two seasonal outlets that operate for 18 days a year at the Food Building during the Canadian National Exhibition.