BENNETT ENTERPRISES IN THE NEWS

For Release 6.22.15

Local Hospitality Leader Bennett Enterprises Celebrating 60th Anniversary

In 1955, brothers David and Milton Bennett, Jr. acquired franchise rights to operate Frisch’s Big Boy Restaurants in NW Ohio.   It is from their first restaurant located in the Country Charm Shopping Center in Perrysburg, that Bennett Enterprises was born.  The novel concept of the drive-in restaurant caught on quickly.  Frisch’s Big Boy became the gathering place for carloads of hungry families: and for teenagers in cars – who repeatedly cruised the canopied curb-service area of the parking lot as the place to be seen.   Milt and Dave’s instincts for success with the Frisch’s Big Boy franchise was spot on, but neither had a clue that the fiberglass statue of the chubby “Big Boy”, dressed in red and white checked overalls, with a slingshot in his hip pocket, would become one of the most recognized icons in North America.

The past sixty-years forged the Bennett namesake company into a key hospitality leader owning and operating hotels and restaurants in 9 counties throughout NW Ohio and SE Michigan.  Likely you have experienced their establishments:  Holiday Inn® French Quarter and Holiday Inn Express® in Perrysburg, Hampton Inn® in Maumee, Quality Inn & Suites® in Monroe, 6 Ralphie’s® Sports Eateries and 13 Frisch’s® Big Boy® restaurants.  The 13 NW Ohio Frisch’s are the largest group of franchised Frisch’s Big Boy locations.  Bennett is also involved in real estate development, owning parcels of land throughout NW Ohio planned for future growth and development, and is the landlord to numerous well-known and respected local businesses.

The Bennett footprint for success came naturally for Dave and Milt.  While working for their father, Milton Bennett, Sr. at his Pak-A-Snak restaurant on Cherry St. in Toledo, the brothers were inspired and encouraged to follow four basic business concepts:  be a good company to work for, be a good company to buy from, be a good company to sell to, and be a good neighbor to the community.

Bennett Enterprises employs over 900 individuals.  In an industry known for high turnover, Bennett proudly employs 180 employees with over 10-years of service, of which 73 employees have more than 20-years of service, 32 employees have over 30-years of service, and 10 employees have more than 40-years invested in Bennett’s longevity.  Bennett’s success is unquestionably due to the dedication of their employees and loyalty of their guests.

In celebration of their diamond anniversary, the weekend of June 26th, 27th, 28th, Bennett employees will be clad in 60th Anniversary t-shirts.  The *Big Boy mascot will visit all 13 Frisch’s Big Boy locations and guests will be offered samples of two classic Big Boy dessert’s.  Ralphie’s will treat guests to samplings of their popular brat burger, and Hotel guests will enjoy an anniversary cake and punch set-up in the hotel lobby.

Thank you Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan for sharing sixty-years with Bennett Enterprises.

*Visit www.frischsnwo.com for complete schedule of Big Boy Mascot appearances.