Pumper Nic (or just Pumper) was a popular chain of fast-food restaurants in Argentina during the 1980s. It is currently considered by many Argentinians to be a cult classic. Its name is derived from the German pumpernickel, a type of bread. The signature sandwich was the Mobur, a sandwich with an egg in between.
It was founded by Tito Lowenstein in 1974, also an ex-owner of Quickfood, founder of the renowned Argentine beef hamburger supplier, "Paty", and the "Las Leñas" tourist complex in Argentina.
Pumper Nic's name and logo was a based upon Burger King's, before the latter started operating in Argentina. When Burger King and McDonald's started business in Argentina, Pumper had to change its logo due to a lawsuit by Burger King and started losing money, eventually going bankrupt. Pumper Nic became defunct in 1999.
The franchise had a mascot, a green hippo called "NIC".