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.
Don Callender posts
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