The Purple Cow Restaurant
The Purple Cow is an American regional restaurant chain headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas. Founded in 1989 by businessman Ed Moore and Chef Paul Bash, the chain is modeled after classic 1950s diners and is known for its signature purple vanilla milkshakes.
| File:Purple cow store.webp | |
| Private | |
| ISIN | 🆔 |
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Genre | 1950s Retro Diner |
| Founded 📆 | 1989 |
| Founder 👔 |
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| Headquarters 🏙️ | , Little Rock, Arkansas , |
Number of locations | 6 (Arkansas) |
Area served 🗺️ | Arkansas and (Formerly Texas 1998-2014) |
Key people | Ken Vaughan (CEO) |
| Products 📟 |
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| Members | |
Number of employees | |
| 🌐 Website | ilovepurplecow |
| 📇 Address | |
| 📞 telephone | |
The peak location count for The Purple Cow Restaurant was 9 locations operating simultaneously (briefly reached in 2010).
The chain currently operates 6 locations across Central and Northwest Arkansas.
History
Founding and expansion
The original Purple Cow location was opened on Cantrell Road in Little Rock, Arkansas, on December 1, 1989, by Ed Moore and Chef Paul Bash. Designed to combine nostalgic 1950s diner aesthetics with upscale casual menu items. Following the success of the initial location, the company expanded throughout Central Arkansas, opening additional restaurants in North Little Rock, Chenal Valley, and Conway. The chain later established a presence in Northwest Arkansas with a location in Bentonville.
Regional operations and Texas market exit
During the 2000s and 2010s, the parent company explored interstate growth, expanding operations into north Texas, including locations in Dallas and Plano. However between 2012-2014, citing market saturation, operating overhead, and strategic reprioritization toward core Arkansas operations, the company eventually shuttered all of its Texas locations to consolidate its regional market presence.
Menu and concept
The Purple Cow operates under a retro diner concept characterized by bright neon lighting, chrome accents, and distinct purple color schemes.
The menu emphasizes classic American diner fare, including hand-pattied gourmet burgers, grilled sandwiches, and french fries. The soda fountain segment features traditional hand-dipped ice cream, malted milkshakes, and the chain's trademarked purple-colored vanilla milkshake, made using a proprietary flavor blend.
References
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