BOUNTIFUL—Utahns love their fry sauce and Arctic Circle – home of the original Fry Sauce – is celebrating its 75th year of serving the community. Founder Don Carlos Edwards and his sons Ralph and J.R. started the first location in Salt Lake City in 1950 as a food stand at Pioneer Days. Since then it’s not only expanded across Utah but into neighboring states as well.

Recently a new Arctic Circle restaurant opened at 2071 Orchard Drive in Bountiful after the old building was razed. 

“Frank Christianson and Gary Roberts owned the location,” said Kasey Christensen, president and CEO of Arctic Circle Restaurants, Inc. “It was 55 years old and they had to make the decision whether to repurpose or sell. It made sense to bulldoze it and build it again.” 

The new Bountiful Arctic Circle. Courtesy photo

 It’s been well received by the community, he said. “We’re glad we hung onto it and could continue our brand. The town has embraced it. Taking a 55-year-old building and making a new and nice one not only helps the community but us too.”

Christensen has been involved with Arctic Circle since he was 6-years-old. “I just turned 60 and I’ve worked in some form with Arctic Circle during that time. In 1971 my mom and dad bought an Arctic Circle in Soda Springs, Idaho. At 6-years-old my job was cleaning the parking lot. My pay was that I got to keep any change I found and I also got unlimited ice cream cones.”

When he graduated from college in finance, Christensen said he didn’t think he wanted to work for Arctic Circle but got back in when a franchise needed a manager. He started on the franchisee side but moved over to the business side and worked his way up to become President/CEO. 

Arctic Circle has become a staple in the quick restaurant space because of its commitment and involvement in the community, said Christensen. “We pay attention to detail with some unique food like our brown toppers (ice cream) black angus beef hamburgers and yellow flesh potato fries. We’re the only ones that have wild Alaskan halibut. Nobody else has that.”

Christensen said Arctic Circle does things a little differently. “We blaze our own trail. We’re innovative.”

 “Congratulations to Arctic Circle Restaurants on 75 remarkable years of serving our Utah communities,” said Utah Gov. Spencer Cox. “From pioneering Utah’s beloved Fry Sauce to providing generations of Utahns with cherished memories and delicious meals, Arctic Circle represents the very best of our state’s entrepreneurial spirit and community values. We celebrate your success and look forward to many more years of Arctic Circle being a cherished Utah tradition.”

As part of the 75th anniversary celebration, the restaurant will be rolling back prices over the coming months like 75 cent ice cream cones, 75 cent beverages and more, along with customer giveaways, merchandise and plenty of legendary Fry Sauce made from the original secret recipe created 70 years ago. 

“We want to be a legacy brand,” said Christensen. “We want to be around for another 75 years. We’re happy to be in the community. We want to be a good neighbor and serve with a smile on our face and be a good partner in the community.”