Chock full o'Nuts is a brand of coffee originating from a chain of New York City coffee shops. Its unusual name derives from the eighteen shelled nut shops founder William Black (ca. 1902-1983) had established under that banner in the city beginning in 1926. When the Depression struck he converted them to lunch counters serving a cup of coffee and a sandwich for 5 cents. In time the brand grew popular, being introduced to the consumer market through grocery stores starting in 1953. Today it is owned by coffee giant Massimo Zanetti Beverage Group, the largest privately held firm in the industry.