About the Sales Family - Our History

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In 1923 Louise Sales, a young widow with two boys, opened a lunch counter at the Puyallup Fair, serving a hearty breakfast on porcelain plates, as well as grilled sandwiches, roast dinners, stews, and pies. Mrs. Sales’ Lunch counter built a loyal following with its in-ground stool seating, friendly atmosphere, and great food.  Over the years, her two sons, Jim and Hugh, as well as Jim’s wife Lila, helped in the operation and the family business became a mainstay at the Fair year after year. 

Later, the famous fair onion burger was born, a hand-pressed burger patty with grilled onions.  In 1970, fire destroyed the concession area and the Grandstand necessitating a major rebuild by the Fair. Jim expanded the business by building three new trailers featuring his new product: a hand-dipped hot dog on a stick.  He worked with Continental Mills, makers of the famous Krusteaz pancake mix, to develop a special dog batter, exclusive to us, and the Krusty Pup was born.  The Krusty Pup was such a hit that Jim expanded by adding another dog trailer, as well as an additional hamburger stand. With the help of his wife and five daughters, the family business became one of the largest food operations at the Fair.  Lila continued to run the business for many years with her daughters after the early passing of Jim. 

In the late 1980s, the five daughters (Sheila, Leslie, Mary, Jami, and Char) took over operation of the thriving business. They made several upgrades to the stands including the addition of the stainless-steel sided stands and an expansion to the main stand’s Garden Room eating area. In 2006, the family added its 8th location to the mix, selling kid-sized Krusty Puppies.  Sales Lunch employs over 200 people during the Spring and Fall Fairs.  

In 2012, the fourth generation (Mike) took over operations. In 2014, a devastating fire in the Fair’s Evergreen Building destroyed our main stand, but we rebuild each Spring and Fall Fair. We are proud of Sales Lunch, one of the largest family run businesses at the now Washington State Fair with third, fourth, and fifth generation family members active in the business.

The famous fair onion burgers (no longer hand pressed) can be found at three of our locations and you can find a hand dipped Krusty Pup at every stand!

To our wonderful customers: thank you for your years of loyalty!