Elvis was born in this town. (Tupelo again.) Couldn’t tell from this. Another one of those shots that suggests business wasn’t all that great. Don't blame the pink and blue decor; it was perfect.

Why did they think that an acre of empty hot concrete would bring in the paying customers?

In a peculiar turn of events, the property was run by another chain for a while - a HOJO, I think. And then I look at the Google Street View today: the brand has returned triumphant.