Our history · 1969 – 2026
How it all began…
Happy Day Corporation’s story began in 1969 with a leap of faith, plenty of determination, and a little help from family. Fresh out of the University of Idaho with degrees in education and business, Bruce Finch and his wife, Joy, decided to open Lewiston’s very first Taco Time. Neither of them had any restaurant experience, but Bruce’s father, Charles Finch, believed in their dream and helped make it happen. Together, they opened the first location, then two more, planting the seeds for what would become the Lewis-Clark Valley’s most recognizable local restaurant group. By the late 1970s, Bruce had purchased his father’s share of the business and officially founded Happy Day Restaurants.
Throughout the 1980s, the Finches continued growing with successful Taco Time and Arby’s locations across the Quad Cities. But they weren’t content with stopping at quick-service restaurants. They wanted to create places where people could gather, celebrate, and make memories. That vision came to life in the late ’80s with Zany Graze, a playful Hollywood-themed diner that quickly became a local favorite. Its success sparked decades of creativity and expansion, leading to beloved restaurants like Main Street Grill, Southway Pizzeria & Deli, Tomato Bros., and Mystic Café. What started as one small family business has grown into a collection of restaurants that have become part of the community’s story. Take a stroll through the timeline below to see the milestones, memories, and moments that helped shape Happy Day into what it is today.
-Happy Day History
-On the 1982 Lewiston Arby’s opening
Year by year
Lewiston Taco Time was Happy Day’s very first restaurant, opening its doors in 1969. At the time, there was no drive-thru and no back prep area, everything was made by hand and fully visible to guests.
Pullman Taco Time became Happy Day’s second restaurant when it opened in 1970. Locals still remember its European-style drive-thru, often described as “flipped” or “unusual,” but unmistakably memorable.
Founded in 1973, Moscow Taco Time quickly made a name for itself with an abstract drive-thru mural by local artist Jon Dawley. Over the years, it became known for something even more unexpected; beer on tap, a true rarity in fast food.
Clarkston Taco Time opened in 1979 in what was once a KFC building along the river. In the early years, guests enjoyed an outdoor patio and playground; features that eventually evolved into the solarium so many love today.
That first Saturday? They did $10,000 in sales on $1.49 sandwiches. And it didn’t stop there. In its very first year, they even ran an Arby’s booth at the fair.
Behind the Moscow Arby’s, there used to be a stage. Employees formed a band and played ‘70s and ‘80s soft rock, think James Taylor. The “Go West” theme tied into the expansion push, and for a while, Arby’s wasn’t just serving roast beef, it was serving live music.
When Zany Graze first opened its doors in 1987, it was a much smaller operation than the lively restaurant we know today. The original dining room seated only about 30 people and shared a building with a frozen yogurt shop called Lulu’s and a busy Godfather’s Pizza location.
Catering was originally ran out of Zany's. At the time, there weren't any local caterers so when people needed catering, they called the restaurants! After doing this enough, they invested in better equipment and officially became Happy Day Catering!
From day one, they emphasized spotless stores. If you took a lunch break, you brought a towel with you. Why? In case you saw a dirty table on your way back. High standards weren’t introduced later, they were built in from the beginning.
As part of the investment deal with Cyrus, Bruce was able to bring the concept to the Valley. So, 6 months later, Clarkston had its own Tomato Bros. One long-standing local rumor claims that the concept for Tomato Bros was stolen from Spokane’s Tomato Street. Historical records, however, point to a much more intertwined story.
Orchard's Arby's opens after Happy Day won a free franchise for winning Store of the Year... twice!
A&W opened in the Lewiston Center Mall and in Moscow, where the second Moscow Arby's was previously. When the opportunity to bring A&W to the LC Valley under different ownership presented itself, It didn’t just look like a business opportunity. It was a chance to bring a beloved brand back under local ownership and invest in its future.
Main Street Grill started as a small burger joint under the name ‘Who’s on First?’ and has since grown into a full-service restaurant with an extensive menu, cozy atmosphere, and a beautiful outdoor patio. Time comes with change, and like most businesses, Main Street Grill has undergone quite a few, including the quiet remodel they went through from January to May of 2026!
Southway opened under the name, "Big Cheese Pizza" but changed their name in 2006.
Southway opened under the name, "Big Cheese Pizza" but changed their name in 2006.
The Clarkston Event Center opened in 2010. The building has two rooms. The Safari Room, which is the smaller of the two, has a private bar, intimate setting, and seating for 80-100. The Grand Room has a dance floor, full bar, and seating for 200!
in 2012, Ken King and Bruce Finch started Vet's Lunch. It started as a Veteran's Day lunch, and they decided to make it a monthly tradition.
In 2014, Mystic Cafe was opened in the old Morgan Bros building. Only half the building didn't stop them from hosting live music nights, though! They remodeled in 207 into what we now know and love.
Zany's was remodeled in 2015. This opened up the other half of the building, creating what is now the Z pub and sushi bar. (They also got their liquor license this year.)
Every 10 years, our franchises are required to remodel. This year, it was Clarkston Arby's and Orchards Arby's.
Big moves were made in 2022. Happy Day purchased the Distribution Warehouse, marking the beginning of Happy Day Local. The mission to bring local food into our kitchens, and now into yours.
The Happy Day Local butcher shop opened in partnership with Big Canyon Beef to provide local beef to our restaurants. Local Beef is now available for commercial buy on Happydaylocal.com.
Southway on Thain opened in 2014. Fun fact, When the owner of Savannah Mall (where Southway on Thain lives) sold the property, he actually put in a clause that if Bruce Finch ever wanted a space there, he could!
In 2025, the Happy Day Local website launched and local beef became available for sale to the public!
Happy Day Local opened its bakery. Now buns, breads, and desserts made locally with locally sourced ingredients are being served in Happy Day restaurants.
Following the Regional Growers Summit, 20+ producers signed on to partner with Happy Day Local. Now, we have fresh, home grown produce and goods in our restaurants!
Where we are today…
From one Taco Time to fourteen locations, from no restaurant experience to our own butcher shop and bakery. Every chapter of this story has brrn driven by the same thing: love for this community and the people in it.
