Bob Evans 1918-2007- An Appreciation

HE was born in a small town in Ohio, Sugar Ridge, outside of Toledo. His family moved to Gallia County, in southeast Ohio in 1929, where he and his two sisters learned the hard work ethic that would sustain him through the years.

When Robert Evans opened a restaurant in the county seat of Gallipolis- right on the Ohio-West Virginia border. he did so to help pay off his mortgage on the farm he owned. But that 12-seat, 24-hour restaurant he and his wife, Jewell, operated would become so popular- mainly for the breakfasts that would oftentimes satisfy hungry truck drivers- would soon grow to an empire that today, has almost 600 restaurants in 18 states. And it all started with the popular sausage that everyone- from the truckers, on down to townfolk- would ask for. That sausage begat a business from his farm, beginning in 1948. Before long, Evans began selling his famous sausage in groceries and meat markets.

In 1964, when hog prices spiked, it had an alarming effect on the company profits, so Bob Evans turned to something he already knew about- operating a restaurant. By the early 1970s, Evans' restaurants- with the familiar red-and-white Stemaboat Victorian design- began showing up all over Ohio. By the late 1970s, they would be seen in neighboring states (Kentucky; Indiana; Michigan;Pennsylvania; and West Virginia). By 1983, there were 100 restaurants.

Today, there are 579 Bob Evans, and 115 Mimi's Cafe restaurants (Bob Evans' Restaurants group bought Mimi's in 2004). The company also bought Texas-based Owens Foods; and Owens Country Sausage in 1987.

Evans was honored three times by the National Wildlife Federation; a strong supporter of the 4-H Club; and even after retiring from his positions as director and president in 1986, remained an active farmer.



Bob Evans passed away yesterday in Cleveland. He was 89.

Being from Ohio, I would visit Bob Evans' restaurants. My memories of eating there bring back the succulent taste of the sausages and bacon. The sweet buttermilk pancakes; and well cooked eggs- be it scrambled, or over easy; or over medium. The service at the restaurants was always down home, everyone was friendly. Never talked down to you. Any visit at any Bob Evans was always like eating a home cooked breakfast. At always reasonable prices, and the best home cooked food. Bob Evans always emphasized quality- and it always showed in his products.

One more thing: that jingle. Bob Evans Farms would always air ads for meats and restaurants, the person speaking always with a soothing, and inviting tone. At the end of the commercials, a singer- often male would sing this two line jingle,
Bob Evans/Down on the Farm.

The man is gone, but the business that Bob began over 60 years ago will definitely live on.

See other stories at http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/primenewswire/121825.htm, and also at the WBNS-TV site at http://10tv.com/?sec=home&story=sites/10tv/content/pool/200706/360343731.html

Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved