While there are many pie shops, few have risen to the heights of Marie Callender's. Of course, part of the success came from the scrumptious food.
Another key was Don Callender's business smarts. Don Callender was the son of Cal and Marie -- who started a wholesale bakery.
Unfortunately, he died the past week. He was 81 years old.
Started in 1948, Marie Callender's grew slowly, despite the tremendous hard work. Don, however, saw a big opportunity. Why not turn the wholesale business into a restaurant?
This was in the mid 1960s. It was perfect timing as America underwent a growth spurt.
But Don also realized he needed to be highly disciplined with costs as well quality. And it worked. By the mid 1980s, Don grew the business to 120 locations and then sold out to Ramada for about $80 million.
He didn't stop there. He continued to invent new restaurants, such as Babe's Barbecue and Brewhouse.
Tom Taulli is the author of various books, including The Complete M&A Handbook
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-13-2009 @ 5:46PM
ERIC G said...
PIE GOOD, FIRE BAD.
1-13-2009 @ 6:06PM
IrishLiza said...
Will the Ramada continue to supply the entree under the Marie Callander name? Already in Alaska we can't get the croutons (sigh), and I've noticed that frozen items are in short supply.
1-13-2009 @ 6:10PM
OC54 said...
Too bad when he sold, the quality went with his oversight. Used to be one of THE better shops--good soups/sandwiches..started with tuna, ham stack and hamburger and chili with their corn brad and honeybutter..AS the "grew" , the quality disapated and now NEVER get a pit at holiday time especially for the mass baking evidently truly can NOT handle and the pies can come even "half baked" in their rush to mass produce !!
1-13-2009 @ 6:48PM
Paula said...
Sure, Marie Callander is great food but have you ever looked at the sodium and fat content? It's not healthy. One portion has the sodium equivelant of several days worth and the fat and calories are outrageous. I used to eat Marie Callander all the time until I read the nutricinal content. Weight Watchers and Stoffers are just as good but healthier and less expensive.
1-17-2009 @ 10:56AM
nonny2t said...
When we were stationed in Ca in the 70's Marie Callender's was my favorite restaurant. When we were in Vegas a couple years ago, we went there and it was disgusting. The decor was tacky and worn, the staff acted like they could care less and the food was not just sub par it was truly awful. I had so looked forward to a bowl of their yummy chili only to find it now was like something out of a can. Too bad Ramada let it all go to the devil. I know we will never go in one again.
1-17-2009 @ 11:58AM
evil said...
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1-17-2009 @ 2:01PM
bessone said...
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B