Frankenmuth in Saginaw County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Zehnder’s
Photographed By Kathy Garman, August 22, 2020
1. Zehnder’s Marker
Inscription.
Zehnder’s. . Frankenmuth´s first restaurant, the Exchange Hotel, opened on this site in 1856. In 1900 John Hubinger built the New Exchange Hotel here. William Zehnder, Sr. and his wife, Emilie, acquired the restaurant in 1928. They remodeled the hotel in an early American theme and opened on Mother´s Day 1929, when they served 312 family-style chicken dinners for one dollar each. Using Emilie´s recipes they built the business around the Sunday chicken dinner served seven days a week. Led by William and Emilie´s son Edwin (1920-1998), Zehnder´s became a Michigan institution and one of the state´s most popular tourist destinations, leading to its recognition as one of the nation´s largest independent restaurants. Between 1929 and 2005 more than 26 million people dined at Zehnder´s of Frankenmuth.
Frankenmuth´s first restaurant, the Exchange Hotel, opened on this site in 1856. In 1900 John Hubinger built the New Exchange Hotel here. William Zehnder, Sr. and his wife, Emilie, acquired the restaurant in 1928. They remodeled the hotel in an early American theme and opened on Mother´s Day 1929, when they served 312 family-style chicken dinners for one dollar each. Using Emilie´s recipes they built the business around the Sunday chicken dinner served seven days a week. Led by William and Emilie´s son Edwin (1920-1998), Zehnder´s became a Michigan institution and one of the state´s most popular tourist destinations, leading to its recognition as one of the nation´s largest independent restaurants. Between 1929 and 2005 more than 26 million people dined at Zehnder´s of Frankenmuth.
Erected 2006 by Michigan Historical Commission - Michigan Historical Center. (Marker Number S695.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.
Location. 43° 19.602′ N, 83° 44.446′ W. Marker is in Frankenmuth, Michigan, in Saginaw County. Marker is on South Main Street (Michigan Route 83)
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0.3 miles north of West Jefferson Street, on the left when traveling north. The marker is mounted to the wall of Zehnder's to the left of the main entrance, south of the crosswalk between Zehnder's and Bavarian Inn. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 730 South Main Street, Frankenmuth MI 48734, United States of America. Touch for directions.
The historical marker is on the left side of the entrance and mounted to the exterior wall of the restaurant.
Photographed By John Garman, August 22, 2020
4. View of Zehnder's from the Crosswalk between Zehnder's and Bavarian Inn
The Historical Marker can be seen to the right of the Zehnder's sign.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 6, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 6, 2021, by John Garman of Rochester Hills. This page has been viewed 244 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 6, 2021, by John Garman of Rochester Hills. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
