The only thing is it appears that the same family owns Zehnders, and 2 other restaurants in town as well as the hotel in which we stayed which means if you didn't know that, you end of with the same items on the menu across all restaurants - good food. “My grandfather bought and transformed the building, now known as Zehnder’s. Judy Zehnder’s father, known as Mr. Frankenmuth, taught his children that hard work and passion is the key to creating a successful business that spans generations. I have a cookbook called "From Grandma, With Love" written by Chef John Zehnder, but it is cookies, cakes, brownies, etc. Please read our Privacy Policy for more information on the cookies we use. Bavarian Inn Lodge Family Fun Center. “We believe that this type of food in this location is going to make this a destination,” Burtka said, adding that the brewery will also focus on traditional, German-style beer. Anyone who’s visited Frankenmuth will tell you that there are actually two restaurants with almost identical menus, Zehnder’s and the Bavarian Inn. (In general, I enjoy all the sides more than the chicken) What's really good is the prime rib at Zehnder's. While today the two are friendly competitors, (Zehnder’s is now owned by Judy’s cousins) until the 1980s, both restaurants were owned by Judy’s parents and grandparents. [4][5], Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}43°19′37″N 83°44′27″W / 43.32694°N 83.74083°W / 43.32694; -83.74083, "John Zehnder receives the Chef's Achievement Award from American Culinary Federation", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Zehnder%27s&oldid=998044188, Buildings and structures in Saginaw County, Michigan, Tourist attractions in Saginaw County, Michigan, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Articles with unsourced statements from July 2017, Official website different in Wikidata and Wikipedia, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 3 January 2021, at 14:54. One of the most memorable times around the dinner table was when my dad, through tears, shared news that one of the staff had been diagnosed with cancer. “Do you want to stay with people who are unhappy and not getting along? Zehnder's was originally built as the Exchange Hotel by Henry Reichle in 1856. Owner and head chef Dorothy Zehnder is a beast. Covered Bridge Gift Shop. We make our own homemade signature creation cheese spreads and flavored chocolate cheese. Audit. Dorothy is joined by son William A. [2], In 1984, Zehnder's and the Bavarian Inn became separate corporations with friendly competition between relatives. In 1955, William Zehnder Jr. (manager of the Bavarian Inn Restaurant) and Edwin Zehnder (manager of Zehnder's Restaurant) purchased the interests of Zehnder's, Inc. from their brothers and sister. They were part of the emigration from Europe to America in the early to mid and late 1800s,” says Judy Zehnder, whose family owns the Bavarian Inn and has long ties to the community. Find 2 listings related to Zehnders Bakery in Frankenmuth on YP.com. Successfully leading a business into its fourth generation of management is no easy feat (most family businesses don’t succeed past the second generation), but Judy says her father taught her some great lessons, starting with this one: your team members are family. 69 with $14.9 million in annual sales and an average check of $18 per guest, the magazine said. She says conducting business like this not only makes work more enjoyable but has a positive impact on the guests’ experience. As you can see, Judy has a real passion for her business — no doubt inspired by the generations that came before her. She’s also president of the Frankenmuth Gift Shops Inc., Frankenmuth Cheese Haus, and The Cheese Trap food truck. No. They know there will always be a place for them here, but they have to want it and enjoy it as much as I do.”. Bavarian Inn Lodge. HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS. Recently, I had the opportunity to talk with Judy Zehnder Keller, the granddaughter of the restaurant’s original owners. Bavarian Inn is not far behind at No. Bavarian Inn's headquarters is in Frankenmuth, Michigan, and was founded in 1950. There's not a lot of difference, since the Zehnder family owns both of them. [1] They re-decorated the restaurant in a Bavarian theme after visiting Bavaria on vacation, and the annual Frankenmuth Bavarian Festival began during their week-long grand re-opening celebration. The business became a corporation, and in the 1950s the Zehnders bought Fischer's Hotel located across the street, renaming it the Bavarian Inn in 1959. Judy says that another really great lesson she learned from both of her parents was the importance of a strong work ethic. The Station 100. “They can’t get by because they’re the owners’ kids. While today the two are friendly competitors, (Zehnder’s is now owned by Judy’s cousins) until the 1980s, both restaurants were owned by Judy’s parents and grandparents. On the contrary, more is expected of them because of who they are. “I’ve told my children, ‘You need to be the hardest working people here,’” Judy said. Judy explains that it was strategic. They’d tell us, if you don’t feel good, put on your best outfit, do your hair — whatever you need to feel better and power through. “When you visit the Bavarian Inn, we consider you a guest in our family home,” Judy said. Most of what you see and experience in Zehnder’s Lower Level is the result of a massive expansion that happened in the early 1970’s. And there are many others. 775 S. Main Street Frankenmuth, MI 48734 (989) 652-2902 He laughed with them, he cried with them, and he treated everyone with respect.”. i will see what I can find out, if anything. “Like so many family businesses, it was mostly dinner conversation. We specialize in an abundant selection of imported and domestic cheese. Bavarian Inn is a top competitor of Zehnders. In 1927, William Zehnder Sr. purchased the hotel remodeling the building, including redesigning its facade to resemble Mount Vernon. The restaurant seats 1500 folks while the Bavarian Inn seats 1200- no wonder the parking lots are so large! He remembers back in 2009 when the Bavarian Inn decided to sign up and then missed out. Like Zehnders, Bavarian Inn also works within the Recreational Services sector.   Zehnder's Splash Village offers 178 deluxe accommodations with rooms featuring queen beds, and a redesigned bedding package providing a more … Check out our site today and see if you're ready to give us a swig. Tiny’s family purchased Fischer’s Hotel in 1950. In 1927, William Zehnder Sr. purchased the hotel remodeling the building, including redesigning its facade to resemble Mount Vernon. A 20 minute and 40 minute Carriage tour is available on a first come first served basis. Wondering why a family would operate restaurants a crosswalk away? Reichle ran the hotel for twenty years, after which it was sold and operated by several different people. Your best piece of business advice: Learn from your mistakes and move on. The Bavarian town of Frankenmuth, 90 miles north of Detroit, is one of the state’s top tourist destinations with more than 3 million visitors each year. Well, my cousins across the street at Zehnder’s were a little bit more aggressive on that time and they got into it,” he said. She believes in properly training and rewarding staff, regardless of their position within the company (both hourly and salary employees go through extensive training and are bonus eligible), but she also wants her team to recognize that they’re valued. She encourages staff to treat each other in this same manner — asking about someone’s day or helping them with a task when time permits. “As far back as the story goes, there were two buildings,” Judy said. And there are many others. ... Bavarian Inn Restaurant. I'm going to Frankenmuth tomorrow and will be having lunch at Zehnder's. They frequently meet with local businesses (including their competitor across the street) and look at what the town needs to succeed. So, after my mother offered to run the kitchen, my family made the leap and bought the second restaurant — it was at that point that the business really started to take off.”. 2021 Plante & Moran, PLLC. Tiny left farming, and he and his young wife, Dorothy (a former waitress at Fischer's), became the managers of the new business. (Take a second to ponder the challenges of opening a restaurant in a German-settled town during prohibition.). The Bavarian Inn was for many years the Fischer Hotel, longstanding competitor of Zehnder’s restaurant. Judy says she still follows this advice today and she’s tried to instill that same work ethic in her children. Bavarian Inn Lodge. After World War II, the business grew rapidly. Here are a few other interesting take-a-ways from my discussion with Judy: Anyone who’s visited Frankenmuth will tell you that there are actually two restaurants with almost identical menus, Zehnder’s and the Bavarian Inn. 2,929 Reviews Frankenmuth, MI . “There were no formal lessons on running the business,” Judy said. Contact. Across the street, where Bavarian Inn now sits, was Fischer's Hotel, another well-known establishment where my mother was a waitress. Tiny left farming, and he and his young wife, Dorothy (a former waitress at Fischer’s), became the managers of the new business. COUPON (2 days ago) COUPON (13 days ago) Bavarian Inn Frankenmuth Dinner Coupons September 2020. couponone.org offers Bavarian Inn Frankenmuth Dinner Coupons plus a variety of Bavarian Inn Coupon Code and Coupon for your online shopping at bavarianinn.com. Earlier this week Michigan picked up Jared Davis as a Preferred Walk On from my hometown, and new football hotbed, Frankenmuth! After World War II, the business grew rapidly. In 1950, the Zehnders bought Fischer Hotel and William “Tiny” Zehnder, Jr. along with his wife, Dorothy, “crossed the street” and began managing the eatery. The Infamous Tunnel Between Zehnder’s and Bavarian Inn. You want to feel welcomed by happy, cheerful people. The leadership quality you most admire in others: About an hour north of Detroit, you’ll find the small, German-settled town of Frankenmuth. The carriage company located in Bavarian Inn's Parking lot for those who would love a restful ride through the most beautiful part of Frankenmuth. The William (Tiny) Zehnder, Jr. family owns the Bavarian Inn of Frankenmuth. The style and food, according to Burtka, would be similar in style and price point of Zehnders and the Bavarian Inn in Frankenmuth. I want them to have other experiences. By Chef John Zehnder, CEC, ACE, HGT, AAC. It’s my goal that my team — my family — embody these attitudes every day.”. Wealth Management. Today, she’s president and owner of Frankenmuth’s Bavarian Inn Lodge, a seven-acre resort featuring 360 guest rooms, multiple pools and waterslides, a mini golf course, and a 150 video game arcade. Bavarian Inn has the better chicken of the two, but neither version is really all that great. Most will tell you that the Zehnder family put this quaint town on the map when they opened a restaurant in the 1920s. “My parents were never afraid of hard work and did whatever it took to get the job done. Every year Zehnder's serves almost a million people. He didn’t look at his staff like employees; he saw and treated them as family. Even though he was a businessman, he was also a farmer at heart and our first visit was to his former farm and petting zoo. Zehnder's is a large restaurant in Frankenmuth, Michigan. The William (Tiny) Zehnder, Jr. family owns the Bavarian Inn of Frankenmuth. Do you think at family picnics, after a few too many steins of Hofbrau, the family recipes get revealed? (Bill), President, his wife, Karen and daughter, Amy Zehnder Grossi, Co-General Managers. “I’ve told my children, ‘You need to be the hardest working people here.’ They can’t ‘just get by.’ On the contrary, I expect more.”. Save up to 30% with Discount Code and Voucher Code listed below, … “We found out that the cap had been reached. It has seating for 1,500 people and features all-you-can-eat family-style chicken dinners, seafood, steaks, fresh baked goods and European desserts. What you look for when you hire: A positive attitude and ethics  Besides turning the Bavarian Inn into one of the largest restaurants in the U.S., Zehnder and her late husband, Tiny, helped change the look of Frankenmuth, located 80 miles north of Detroit. The Zehnder family owns the and Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth which is famous for it’s all you can eat chicken dinners. Judy says she’s tried to emulate this throughout her career. Cookie Notice: This site uses cookies to provide you with a more responsive and personalized service. He was devastated. The restaurant tours that, , I’ve been in business for 80 or a hundred years, and I know some really good ones that continue to do it around the state and, and, and people that I really respect, , Zehnders and Bavarian Inn some of those, but you don’t see as many of those now, I think because it’s, it’s more. The lesson in the overall success of Frankenmuth, not just the success of their business, is something that Judy and her family continue to focus on. [2], Zehnder's was originally built as the Exchange Hotel by Henry Reichle in 1856. To compliment your cheese selection we have a selection of crackers, meat, mustard and sauces. [citation needed], John Zehnder, the executive chef and food and beverage manager at Zehnder's, received the 2011 Hermann G. Rusch Chef's Achievement Award from the American Culinary Federation. Judy has been a part of the Bavarian Inn Corporation since childhood. Bavarian Inn generates 257% of Zehnders's revenue. The restaurant seats 1500 folks while the Bavarian Inn seats 1200- no wonder the parking lots are so large! To be an effective leader, you cannot… be dishonest with your staff or customers. “It’s amazing to think that my mom has worked in the same building since she was a teenager — and at 96, she’s still in our kitchen working six days a week.”. Frankenmuth is of course known for anything but football, which is why it's interesting that he'll be the 2nd current UM football player from Frankenmuth, a town of 4,898 people. Your leadership approach: Lead by example. By using this site you agree to our use of cookies. The Bavarian Inn can serve upwards of 1200 people at a time, throughout their 12 themed dining rooms. Judy says that the Frankenmuth story that’s not told enough is her mom’s role in its success. After all, Judy’s dad was known as Mr. Frankenmuth — and we think he’d be pretty proud of the job Judy and her family have done in filling his shoes. Frankenmuth Brewery is the Oldest Brewery in Michigan, rich with history and beer. Upon returning from an influential trip to Bavaria, the brother's designed the restaurant in a Bavarian theme. The late Tiny Zehnder is credited with building the tourism base and workforce for generations by his investment in many businesses, restaurants and hotels including the famous Bavarian Inn and Zehnders restaurant. Chances are you’ll forget about what ails you.”. Tax. Often referred to as Michigan’s “Little Bavaria,” Frankenmuth is known for its unique shops, extensive selection of German beers, gigantic Christmas store and — above all else — their famous chicken dinners. In 1955, William Zehnder Jr. (manager of the Bavarian Inn) and Edwin Zehnder (manager of Zehnder's Restaurant) purchased the interests of Zehnder's, Inc. from their brothers and sister. Mortgage Banking, Consumer, and Specialty Finance, Senior Living Development Consulting (Living Forward), Second Draw PPP Loan: Your top questions answered, December COVID-19 relief bill provides grants for shuttered venue operators, Substantiating loan necessity for the Paycheck Protection Program. Come meet and learn to love our wonderful horses and employees. All rights reserved. [3], In March 1947, the business was turned over to Zehnder's children. Consulting. The Zehnder family owns the and Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth which is famous for it’s all you can eat chicken dinners. It’s important to understand that from a young age.”, “It’s amazing to think that my mom has worked in the same building since she was a teenager — and at 96, she’s still in our kitchen working six days a week.”, Judy continues, “I’ve encouraged my kids to first get an education and then work outside the family business before committing to a career here. Tiny's family purchased Fischer's Hotel in 1950. Reichle ran the hotel for twenty years, after which it was sold and operated by several different people. Premier Northern Michigan Resort located in Boyne Falls known for offering ski, golf, spa, dining, retail, and real estate options. Many Franconians first jobs were at one of Zehnder’s properties in Frankenmuth, both of my parents worked at Zehnder’s and The Bavarian Inn, as well as my sister who worked at The Fortress, a champion-class 18-hole golf course located in Frankenmuth, also owned by Zehnder’s since 1984. A positive “I can, I care” attitude “It was my mom that pushed for the family to buy the second restaurant — and that was a real turning point for us,” Judy says. Tiny & Dorothy’s daughter, Judy Zehnder Keller, is President of the Bavarian Inn Lodge. They can take those experiences and go their own way, or if they decide it’s what they want, they can take what they’ve learned and bring it back to our family business.

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