The history of King Kong RestaurantŪ encapsulates the idea of the American dream. Owner and founder, Nick Triantafillou emigrated from Greece in the 1970s. Led by his entrepreneurial spirit, Nick opened up several restaurants in Nebraska from Kearney and Grand Island to Omaha which he called Nick's Gyros . Although he eventually sold off most of these businesses, he retained ownership of the Nick's Gyros in Omaha on 44th and Dodge. Nick soon introduced a large half-pound beef patty hamburger onto his menu and sought a suitable name for it. Inspiration struck when he watched one of the early film versions of King Kong. He felt the titular ape was the perfect comparison to his large burgers and amply portioned dishes. So, in 1994, he not only dubbed his burger the King Kong but also renamed his business after it. Nick obtained the trademark for the gorilla logo and the King Kong name as well as Double KongŪ and Triple KongŪ which are the names of the one pound and two pound burgers on the King Kong menu.

In 2001, a second King Kong RestaurantŪ was opened in Omaha on 72nd street. This store became the archetype for all future King Kong restaurants with stone gorilla statues, jungle motif decoration, and merchandizing of t-shirts and plush toys. Additional branches were opened in Lincoln in 2004 and again in Omaha across from the Rosenblat Stadium near the Henry Doorly Zoo this past spring.