Golden Skillet began in Richmond in 1964. The first Golden Skillet fried chicken was served in the downtown Richmond Thalhimer’s department store. A gentleman named Clifton Guthrie developed the recipe and, as the story goes, served his fried chicken at a Richmond Planning Commission meeting. A Thalhimer’s executive was there had the chicken added to the Richmond Room menu. When Thalhimers turned a railroad dock into a restaurant, it became the moneymaker for that location. The chicken was featured in Women’s Wear Daily. 
The first free standing location opened in 1968 with the signature yellow roof and giant pan-shaped sign.
By 1981, there were over 220 stores and had gone international. Roy Clark, a native of Virginia, was hired to be the pitchman for the company in its advertising.
Mr. Guthrie passed away in 1981 and the fate of the chain was sealed. The family sold the company to International Dairy Queen, who eventually sold the chain to a franchisee.
Today, most of the franchised locations have closed and there are only a handful of locations left open. However, former Golden Skillet locations can still be found due to the signature giant pan.
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