More guests served than any other independent US restaurant in 2013
FRANKENMUTH, MI – October 20, 2014 – Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth, the 1,500 seat family restaurant located in Frankenmuth, Mich., was ranked number one in the number of people served among all independent restaurants in the US according to Restaurant Business magazine’s Web site, www.restaurantbusinessonline.com. The popular family restaurant served 967,636 guests with a guest check average of $14 in 2013. Additionally, Zehnder’s was one of the top 100 grossing independent restaurants in the country last year.
“We employ more than 800 people, of whom 265 are servers, who all are committed to our hospitality standards,“ said Zehnder’s Chairman and CEO Al Zehnder. “We strive to provide both great food and service to maintain our high standard of a family dining experience.” Zehnder’s opened on Mother’s Day in 1929 when it served 312 chicken dinners at $1 each.
Known for its popular all-you-can-eat family-style chicken dinners, Zehnder’s was named an American icon by Nations Restaurant News (NRN), another major restaurant trade publication in 2010. According to NRN they focused on the 50 restaurants nationwide that “stole our hearts and stood the test of time.” Not only did Zehnder’s make the nationwide list as one of the top 50 restaurant icons, it was the only Michigan restaurant chosen by NRN editors.
During an average year Zehnder’s guests consume 900,000 pounds of chicken, 640 tons of cabbage, 180,000 pounds of mashed potatoes, 130,000 pounds of assorted vegetables, 40 tons of locally grown squash, 17,800 pounds of Michigan-roasted coffee, 26,000 gallons of ice cream, and 150,000 loaves of bread made in the Zehnder’s bakery.
