Zehnder's

Zehnder's
Interactive map of Zehnder's
Restaurant information
Established1856
Food typeChicken, seafood, steak, desserts
Location730 South Main Street, Frankenmuth, Saginaw, Michigan, 48734, United States
Seating capacity
1,500

Zehnder's is a restaurant in Frankenmuth, Michigan, United States. It was founded in 1929. In 2020 it was named an America's Classic by the James Beard Foundation.

Description

Zehnder's is located in Frankenmuth's business district.

The restaurant has seating for 1,500 and as of 2026 serves almost a million diners every year. In the 1980s, it was one of the ten largest restaurants in the United States. As of 2026 it was the largest family restaurant in the US.

The restaurant serves traditional American and German cuisine and specializes in fried chicken dinners served family style.

History

Zehnder's in Spring 2011
The Bavarian Inn Restaurant, also owned by the Zehnder family

Zehnder's was originally built as the Exchange Hotel by Henry Reichle in 1856. Reichle ran the hotel for twenty years, after which it was sold and operated by several different people.

In 1927, William Zehnder Sr. purchased the hotel and remodeled the building, including redesigning its facade to resemble Mount Vernon, and reopened it as Zehnder's on Mother's Day in 1929. After World War II, the business grew rapidly.

In March 1947, the business was turned over to Zehnder's children. 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. 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. 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.

Recognition

In 2011 John Zehnder, the executive chef and food and beverage manager, received the Hermann G. Rusch Chef's Achievement Award from the American Culinary Federation.

In 2020 the restaurant was named an America's Classic by the James Beard Foundation.

References

  1. 1 2 Jeltema, Ryan (February 3, 2026). "Fourth generation takes over Zehnder's of Frankenmuth businesses". WJRT-TV. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Selasky, Susan. "Zehnder's of Frankenmuth becomes 2nd Michigan restaurant to win James Beard Classic award". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
  3. 1 2 Ashlee, Laura R. (2005). Traveling through time: a guide to Michigan's historical markers. Ann Arbor, Mich: University of Michigan Press. p. 382. ISBN 0-472-03066-3.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Hoeffner, Joe (January 31, 2026). "The Largest Family Restaurant In The US Can Seat 1,500 People — Here's Where To Find It". The Takeout. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Nick Shelton takes over as President of the fourth generation Zehnder's". The Detroit News. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
  6. ↑ Swincicki, Christian (February 3, 2026). "Zehnder's of Frankenmuth names new President". WNEM-TV. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
  7. ↑ LaNoue, Mike (1987). Centennial Business Portraits of Michigan: A Collection of Michigan's Oldest Businesses with Written Histories and Art by Albion Cards. Albion Cards. p. 13.
  8. ↑ "Zehnders website". 2008. Retrieved September 29, 2008.
  9. ↑ LaLonde, Pati (August 8, 2011). "John Zehnder receives the Chef's Achievement Award from American Culinary Federation". Saginaw News.
  10. ↑ Burcar, Colleen (2007). Michigan Curiosities: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities & Other Offbeat Stuff. Guilford, Connecticut: Insiders' Guide. p. 62. ISBN 978-0-7627-4111-3.
  11. ↑ "America's Classics". www.jamesbeard.org. Archived from the original on February 26, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  12. ↑ Frederick, Missy (February 20, 2020). "A Michigan Destination for Chicken Dinners Gets a James Beard Nod". Eater Detroit. Retrieved September 15, 2026.

43°19′37″N 83°44′27″W / 43.32694°N 83.74083°W / 43.32694; -83.74083