[3] Zip's was originally a drive-in created to serve scientists and workers coming to the Tri-Cities to work at Hanford and other nuclear industry companies, using the motto "Thrift and Swift".

Zip's attracted so many customers, that Zuber decided to build another store, this time in Spokane, Washington near the Gonzaga College campus where it became quite popular among students.

[3][1] In the 1960s, Zip's was a typical American drive-in restaurant, where the business model entailed customers driving up to a phone or table to place an order for a carhop to bring out, but by the 1970s many drive-ins across America were closing in the face of faster competition from fast food restaurants.

Zip's is not a franchise and the menu can differ slightly depending on the owner and location; hours also vary, with some serving breakfast.

Zip's is known locally for its wide use of tartar sauce on its menu items, for which the Inland Northwest is said to have a peculiar taste,[5] as well as its shakes.