Exploring Life & Business with Amanda Fulbright of Paul’s Drive In

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Fulbright

Hi Amanda, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Paul’s Drive In began its journey as Ron Stein’s Dog-N-Suds, a beloved local spot in the early 1960s. Known for its classic drive-in experience, Dog-N-Suds was purchased by Paul Rhoades, who envisioned something new for the location. He expanded the menu to include fast food and pizza, renaming it Paul’s Pizza. This marked the beginning of a new era for the restaurant.

In the early 1970s, Paul Rhoades made a pivotal decision to remove pizza from the menu, rebranding the establishment as Paul’s Drive In. During this transformation, the carport was converted into a dining room, and a drive-through was added, laying the foundation for the modern restaurant layout. In the late 1970s, Paul sold the business to a long-time friend, Gary Morgan, who continued the tradition until 1988, when he passed the torch to another close friend, Bob Helton.

For decades, Paul’s Drive In remained a cornerstone of the community, weathering changes in ownership and evolving tastes. However, it faced new challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Enter Scott Shepherd, a seasoned fast-food professional with fond memories of working in the industry as a teenager. He was searching for an opportunity to own a restaurant, and fate led him to the Heltons and Paul’s Drive In. Recognizing the struggles the business faced during the pandemic, Scott saw an opportunity to revive a cherished local institution while allowing Bob Helton and his wife to enjoy a well-deserved retirement.

In September 2021, Scott and his partners officially acquired the restaurant. Committed to maintaining a family-owned atmosphere, Scott enlisted his brother-in-law, Mark Fulbright, as general manager to oversee daily operations. In October 2022, Scott’s sister, Amanda Fulbright, bought out one of the original investors, making Paul’s Drive In a majority family-owned business.

Since taking over, the new ownership team has worked diligently to preserve the quality and charm that have defined Paul’s Drive In since the 1960s. One of their first major successes was reopening the lobby for business, which had been closed in 2020 due to the pandemic and operated solely as a drive-through. Recognizing the importance of providing a welcoming space for customers, Scott and his team reopened the lobby shortly after taking ownership, and it remains open to this day.

While introducing new menu items like chili cheese dogs, the restaurant has remained true to its roots, with signature offerings such as the Big Boy smash burger made from fresh, never-frozen beef, crispy onion rings, and creamy milkshakes and malts. Modernizations include the implementation of a digital point-of-sale system and the replacement of the original letterboard menus with updated printed boards, with plans to upgrade to fully digital menu boards in the near future. Other planned improvements include restroom renovations, dining area updates, and the addition of outdoor seating.

Scott and Amanda are equally dedicated to fostering a sense of community around the restaurant. In November and December 2022, they organized a holiday gift drive for the Community Assistance Council, focusing on providing gifts for tweens and teens, an often-overlooked group during the holiday season. They partnered with the Hickman Mills School District’s high school graphic arts program to create retro-inspired artwork for the lobby and hosted “Pop with a Cop” events to strengthen ties with local law enforcement. Future plans include organizing community swap-and-shop events featuring local small businesses, as well as exploring opportunities for trivia nights, live music, and other family-friendly activities.

As Paul’s Drive In approaches its 65th year, it continues to honor its rich history while embracing modern innovations and community engagement. With a steadfast commitment to quality food and a welcoming atmosphere, Paul’s Drive In remains a cherished gathering place for generations of customers, ensuring its legacy as a community staple for years to come.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Operating Paul’s Drive In has certainly come with its share of challenges, especially in the post-COVID landscape. Like many restaurant owners, we’ve faced difficulties finding and retaining great staff, which has been a widespread issue across the industry. Additionally, increasing crime in the neighborhood has presented its own set of concerns, requiring us to take extra steps to ensure the safety and security of our team and customers.

Another significant challenge is the rising cost of food and labor. Balancing these increases while keeping our menu prices affordable for our customers is a constant juggling act. We’re committed to paying fair wages to our staff and maintaining the high food quality that has defined Paul’s Drive In for decades, but we also understand the importance of providing value that meets the expectations of today’s consumers in the quick-service industry.

Despite these obstacles, we view them as opportunities to grow and innovate. We’ve focused on fostering a positive workplace culture to attract and retain talented staff, and we’re continually exploring ways to streamline operations and manage costs without compromising quality. Ultimately, our goal is to keep Paul’s Drive In a welcoming, community-focused establishment that our customers can count on for great food and friendly service.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Paul’s Drive In?
Paul’s Drive In is a family-owned restaurant that has been a cornerstone of our community since the 1960s. We specialize in serving fresh, made-to-order classic American comfort food with a nostalgic drive-in charm. Our menu features timeless favorites like the Big Boy smash burger, onion rings, and milkshakes, along with other popular items like tenderloins and chili cheese dogs. Everything we serve is made with quality and care, staying true to the high standards set by our founders.

What truly sets us apart is our commitment to both tradition and innovation. While we honor our roots with classic menu items and a welcoming atmosphere, we’ve also introduced modern upgrades like digital point-of-sale systems and updated menu boards to enhance the customer experience. We’re proud to be more than just a restaurant—we’re a gathering place where generations of families have come to enjoy good food and make lasting memories.

One of the things we’re most proud of is how we’ve embraced our role as a community hub. We partner with local schools and organizations, host events like “Pop with a Cop” and holiday drives, and are always looking for new ways to bring people together. We take pride in being a part of the fabric of our neighborhood and strive to create a space where everyone feels at home.

For readers who may not know us yet, Paul’s Drive In is more than a meal—it’s an experience. Whether you’re stopping by for a quick bite or joining us for a family dinner, you can count on great food, friendly service, and a connection to the heart of our community. We invite everyone to come and see why we’ve been a local favorite for nearly 65 years!

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Taking over Paul’s Drive In during the pandemic was, without a doubt, a significant risk. The restaurant industry faced unprecedented challenges, from reduced customer traffic to supply chain disruptions and staffing shortages. But we’ve always believed that with great risk comes great opportunity. For us, the decision to purchase Paul’s Drive In wasn’t just about owning a business—it was about preserving a cherished community institution and breathing new life into it during a time when so many small businesses were struggling.

The biggest risk was the uncertainty. Would customers come back to dine in? Could we rebuild a strong team? Would rising food and labor costs allow us to remain competitive while delivering the quality and value that Paul’s is known for? These questions didn’t have clear answers, but we saw the potential and were willing to bet on the resilience of our community and our ability to adapt.

Taking risks, in our view, is about calculated decision-making. It’s about assessing the challenges ahead and having a vision for how to overcome them. We embraced this risk by reopening the lobby quickly, focusing on customer experience, and maintaining the quality that has defined Paul’s Drive In for decades. We also modernized our operations to stay competitive, like implementing new technology to improve efficiency.

This journey taught us that risk isn’t just about what you might lose—it’s also about what you stand to gain. In taking this leap, we’ve revitalized a beloved local business, connected with our community in meaningful ways, and laid the groundwork for Paul’s to thrive for years to come. For anyone considering taking a risk, we’d say it’s about finding the right balance of preparation, resilience, and belief in your mission.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.paulsdriveinkc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulsdriveinkc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulsdriveinkc