What happened to the Little Chef? KentOnline revisits every roadside restaurant spot

For almost 60 years, Little Chef was a familiar and friendly sight on the motorways and country roads of Kent.

The chain was founded in 1958 by Sam Alper who, inspired by American diners, created roadside restaurants to cater to legions of travel-weary families, motorists and businessmen.

He was famous for his Olympic breakfast – his version of a full English breakfast. – as well as its Early Started and Jubilee pancakes. Children – and adults who timidly asked – will also fondly remember the red lollipops handed out after a meal.

At its peak, the chain had 439 branches nationwide, but by the turn of the century it had fallen into decline and despite subsequent attempts to save the brand – including a roadside revamp by celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal – she had reached the end of the road.

Little Chef fell into administration in 2007 and five years later the last four Kent sites closed permanently before the chain closed its last UK branch in 2018.

Still a fond memory for many, KentOnline has taken a trip down memory lane and put together a list of all 22 of Kent’s former branches to see what has taken their place today…

Dover East Docks

A Little Chef Express opened at Dover Eastern Docks in 1997, inside the Terminal 1 building.

It closed its doors in the 2000s.

A256 Richborough Service Station, Sandwich

The Little Chef branch in Sandwich is believed to have opened in 1986 but closed in 2005.

The location has been a Subway since around 2012.

A28 Staines Hill, Westbere, near Canterbury

The branch opened in 1976 and reportedly closed in 1979.

It later became The Westbere Butts Inn before closing its doors in the mid-2000s.

The venue later opened as Spice Master and Indian Restaurant, but it closed and the building was demolished for the construction of houses.

A299 Thanet Way, Whitstable East

The branch opened in 1987 and closed in September 2012.

It reopened for four years as Buffalo Cafe, and in 2017, Starbucks moved into the building that remains today.

Above: The former Little Chef on Thanet Way in March 2009 and the current Starbucks, pictured in September 2023. Photo: Google

A299 Thanet Way, Hernhill, West Whitstable

The westbound Little Chef opened in 1996 and closed in 2008.

The building now houses a Costa Coffee and a Subway.

A2 eastbound at Harbledown, between the M2 and Canterbury

Little Chef was built in the small gas station in 1984.

It closed its doors in 2005 and became Mickey’s Diner, then Fab’s Diner.

The building was set on fire by a disgruntled employee in July 2011 and has been abandoned since.

A2 to London Gate Services at Dunkirk, between Faversham and Canterbury

The branch opened in the service area in 1983 and closed in 2012.

Sheila’s Kitchen opened in its place in 2013 and was managed and bought by the former branch manager.

It ended up closing in 2019.

Plans to build a Costa on the site have been approved in 2022, but the hot drinks company is yet to move into the building.

Above: Former Little Chef of Gate Services in July 2009 compared to abandoning Sheila’s Kitchen in April 2023. Photos: Google

A259 Sandgate Esplanade, Hythe

This branch opened in 1986 and closed in 2005.

Since its closure there have been a number of restaurants including Down Town Diner and Spice Cottage.

Chameleon Cafe has been on site since 2020, but is currently temporarily closed.

Just off the A20 Ashford Road, Cheriton, Folkestone

Le Petit Chef opened in 1987 and closed in 2001.

Luxfords Hair and Beauty is currently located in the old building, near The Range.

Channel Tunnel, Folkestone

Once upon a time there was a little boss at the LeShuttle terminals of the Channel Tunnel.

The branch opened in 1994 and closed in 2001.

It’s unclear where the unit was located, but the food court currently has fast food chains such as Burger King, Leon and Starbucks.

A259 Brenzett, near New Romney

Le Petit Chef opened in 1989 and closed in 2012.

Skinners Sheds has taken its place since around 2019.

Above: Brenzett’s former Little Chef in March 2009, compared to the current Skinners Shed in 2021. Photos: Google

Eureka Leisure Park, Rutherford Road, Ashford

A Little Chef opened here in 2000 and closed in 2005.

It was located on the ground floor of the Travel Lodge which still exists today, but closed due to competition on the business park.

A20 Maidstone Road, Charing

The branch opened in 1996 and closed in 2005.

The building is currently a restaurant – Jasmine House Chinese Cuisine.

A21 Lamberhurst, Tunbridge Wells

The branch opened in 1996 and closed in 2012.

It became a car garage in 2015 and is currently called Route One Car Sales.

A225 Sevenoaks Road, Otford

It opened in 1977 and closed in 1987.

A229 Old Chatham Road, Blue Bell Hill, Aylesford

Blue Bell Hill’s Little Chef opened in 1998 but closed in 2005.

The building was purchased by a local man, Michael Schembri, who opened Mickey’s Diner, which still exists today.

A249 Detling

Detling Little Chef opened in 1996, having previously been a Happy Eater – its direct competitor at the time.

The restaurant eventually closed in 2011 and was transformed into Mickey’s Rock Diner.

The building has been home to Detling Diner A249 since 2021.

Above: The former Little Chef at Detling in July 2009 compared to the current Detling Diner photographed in August 2023. Photos: Google

A249 Stockbury Valley, near Sittingbourne

The Stockbury branch opened in 1996 and closed in 2005.

The site is now Roydens Ltd Prestige Car Centre.

M2 Moto Medway Services

Le Petit Chef at Medway Service Station opened in 1996 and closed in 2008.

A2 Rainham

The former Rainham branch opened in 1974 and closed in 2003.

Since its closure, these have included several car garages: Sparshatts of Kent Ltd, Medway Autos and Kent Car Supermarket.

It has been a Suzuki garage since 2021.

A2 Cobham North and South

A service station was opened on each side of the road in 1968 and each side had a service station and a Petit Chef.

The eastbound restaurant closed in 2007 and the building and gas station were demolished.

The westbound Little Chef closed in the same year, but the forecourt still remains and there is a Greggs and Hursts Grab & Go on the site.

Both restaurants closed in 2007.

Do you have any fond memories of stopping and dining at one of the old Kent Chefs listed above? Let us know below.