Sambo’s Restaurant – Picture Story Series – Postcard Unposted #7

Sambo's was a family restaurant chain that originated in Santa Barbara, California, in 1957. The name was derived from the first names of its founders, Sam Battistone and Newell "Bo" Bohnett, and initially used imagery from the children's book Little Black Sambo. At its peak, Sambo's had over 1,100 locations across the United States. However, the use of the Little Black Sambo imagery led to controversy and protests, ultimately contributing to the chain's decline and bankruptcy in 1981. The last remaining Sambo's restaurant, in Santa Barbara, was eventually renamed Chad's in 2020.