History

In 1949, Jay Adolph and Henriette Olsen opened the original PICK-QUICK Drive In, offering grilled burgers, fresh fries, and creamy milkshakes to the Fife area.  The hand scooped ice cream, fresh milkshakes, and bottled soda pop made the burger stand an instant hit.  Each day, 300 to 400 pounds of potatoes were hand cut to meet the demand for fresh fries.

Today, one of PICK-QUICK’s current owners is Betty Burgi, who worked for the Olsen’s in 1952.  She was often the only employee on shift, scooping the chilled ice cream and serving the hungry Fife crowds.

In 1953, Andy and Victoria Boitano took over for the Olsen’s.  The Boitano’s sold the drive in to the Schorno and Marty families in 1958.  After several years of the partnership, the Schorno’s took over the daily operation of the drive in.  After 22 years and countless hours of serving up burgers, fries, and milkshakes, the Schorno’s sold the business to Joe & Betty Burgi and Joe & Joyce Imhoff.  In 1998, the Imhof’s sold their interest to the Burgi family.

Today, the Burgi Family – Joe, Betty, son Greg, son-in-law Dan and his wife, Cindi (Burgi) Nelson – own and operate the original PICK-QUICK Drive In.  Joe, Greg, and Dan run the day-to-day operations, while Joe and Betty’s grandchildren, Emily Nelson and Dominic & Hannah Burgi, prepare for the future of PICK-QUICK.

Despite changes of ownership and partnerships, PICK-QUICK has remained in business for more than 70 years with a menu similar to the one that the Olsen’s originally established in 1949.

Timeline

1949:

Jay Adolph & Henriette Olsen opened PICK-QUICK Drive In.

1953-1958:

Andy and Victoria Boitano own and operated the drive in.

1958:

In a new era of PICK-QUICK development, Paul & Ida Schorno and Ernie & Rosena Marty purchased the drive in.

1960s:

Ernie & Rosina Marty moved back to Switzerland.  Paul & Ida Schorno acquire sole ownership.

1980:

Paul & Ida Schorno sell PICK-QUICK to Joe & Betty Burgi and Joe & Joyce Imhof.

1998:

Joe & Joyce Imhof sell their share to Joe & Betty Burgi, who continue to own and operate PICK-QUICK Fife with the help of their family.

2007:

PICK-QUICK Drive In owner Joe Burgi and ICON (www.icon.com) founder Gerard Centioli form PICK-QUICK Development Company LLC to develop the concept beyond Fife.

2011:

PICK-QUICK Drive In No. 2 opens in Auburn.

2016:

PICK-QUICK Drive In No. 3 opens in SoDo.

2020:

Brad & Janice Herron take responsibility for day-to-day operations of PICK-QUICK No. 2 and No. 3.  Their sons, Broderick & Bradford, join the PICK-QUICK team and the Herron Family forms PICK-QUICK Operating Company LLC, which is today the majority owner of the Auburn and SoDo drive ins in partnership with PICK-QUICK Development Company LLC – the Burgi Family and ICON.