Yocco's
TypePrivate
IndustryRestaurant
FoundedAllentown, Pennsylvania (1922 (1922))
FounderTheodore Iacocca
Headquarters,
U.S.
Number of locations
6 stores (2024)
Area served
Lehigh Valley
ProductsHot dogs, cheesesteaks, pierogis, french fries, other
OwnerGary Iacocca
Number of employees
100-299
Websiteyoccos.com

Yocco's Hot Dogs is a regionally famous hot dog and cheesesteak establishment with six restaurants, each located in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania. Yocco's was founded in 1922 by Theodore Iacocca, uncle of Lee Iacocca. Its corporate headquarters is located on East Minor Street in Emmaus.

History

20th century

Yocco's on PA Route 100 in Fogelsville in March 2014

Yocco's was originally established in 1922 at its former location at 625 Liberty Street in the center city section of Allentown. Its original name was the Liberty Grill.

From the 1970s through the end of the 20th century, Yocco's opened five additional restaurants in Allentown and its suburbs. The first was at 2128 Hamilton Street in Allentown, followed by locations in Emmaus, Fogelsville, Trexlertown, and Hanover Township.

21st century

In 2016, the Liberty Street location closed,[1] and a sixth location opened in South Mall in Salisbury Township.[2][3]

The company currently operates six locations in the Lehigh Valley, including three in Allentown, and one each in Emmaus, Fogelsville and Trexlertown. In December 2023, the company announced the closure of its Trexlertown store on Facebook, effective December 22nd, 2023.[4]

Yocco's is currently run by Gary Iacocca, the third generation owner. The company's corporate headquarters is located in Emmaus.

The name Yocco's was derived from the name "Iacocca," after the family who owns the establishment. However, because the Pennsylvania Dutch could not pronounce Iacocca (an Italian name) and said Yocco instead, the name was changed to reflect their pronunciation.[5]

Locations

Zippy the Pinhead

Yocco's has made several appearances in Zippy, a nationally syndicated comic strip featuring the character Zippy the Pinhead.[5]

References

  1. WFMZ-TV. "Landmark Yocco's location closing in Allentown". 69 News. WFMZ. Retrieved 2017-11-04.
  2. Falsone, Nick (18 August 2016). "Yocco's to open 6th hot dog shop in Lehigh Valley, report says". Lehigh Valley Live. The Express-Times. Retrieved 2017-11-04.
  3. "Hot diggety dog! Yocco's to open sixth Lehigh Valley eatery,", The Morning Call, August 18, 2016, retrieved November 30, 2018.
  4. "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  5. 1 2 Sheehan, Daniel Patrick. "Simple fare has made Yocco's a top dog". The Morning Call. Retrieved 2007-05-06.

40°32′19″N 75°29′01″W / 40.538669°N 75.48356°W / 40.538669; -75.48356

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