Swensons
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Fast Food |
| Founded | 1934 in Akron, Ohio |
| Founders | Wesley T. "Pop" Swenson |
| Headquarters | Akron, Ohio |
Number of locations | 12 |
Area served | Greater Akron and Greater Columbus, Ohio |
| Products | Burgers |
Number of employees | 500 |
| Website | swensonsdriveins |
Swensons Drive-In is a regional drive-in fast food restaurant chain with locations throughout Greater Akron and Greater Cleveland, Ohio. Swensons' signature hamburger is the Galley Boy, a double cheeseburger prepared using two sauces,[1][2] and the restaurant also purveys 18 different milk shakes.[1]
History
Wesley T. "Pop" Swenson started selling hamburgers at Buchtel High School out of a station wagon in 1933. In 1934, he opened a restaurant on South Hawkins in Akron, near Market Street. Swenson sold the restaurant in 1949 to Robert Phillips, who began expansion in 1952 with a second location in North Akron on East Cuyahoga Falls Avenue.[3] Other locations include: Stow (1987), Montrose (1995), Jackson Township, Seven Hills (2001), North Canton, University Heights (2017), and North Olmsted (2018).[4][5] Expansion of the chain into the Columbus Area is complete with locations in Dublin, New Albany, Columbus, and Hilliard.[6][7]
Reception
In popular culture
On an episode of The Food Network's series Food Feuds entitled Beef Feuds, Swensons was pitted against Skyway for best Juicy Double Cheeseburger in the Akron area.[9] Celebrity fans include Black Keys drummer Patrick Carney, actor Matt Lanter, and basketball player LeBron James.[10]
References
- ^ a b Eaton, Dan (December 4, 2017). "Swensons to Columbus? There is a site near Dublin - Columbus". Columbus Business First. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
- ^ Stern, J.; Stern, M. (2014). Roadfood: The Coast-to-Coast Guide to 900 of the Best Barbecue Joints, Lobster Shacks, Ice Cream Parlors, Highway Diners, and Much, Much More, now in its 9th edition. Potter/TenSpeed/Harmony. p. pt512. ISBN 978-0-7704-3453-3. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
- ^ "A day at the drive-in". Smart Business. Cleveland, Ohio: Smart Business Network, Incorporated. 2001-10-23.
- ^ "Story | Ohio Drive-In Established in 1934 | Swenatics". Swensons Drive-In. Retrieved 2018-10-05.
- ^ Sega, Lauren (December 6, 2017). "Akron's Popular Drive-In Swensons Eyes Columbus for New Location". Columbus Underground. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
- ^ Malone, J. D. (July 16, 2018). "Swensons plans second central Ohio drive-in near Ikea at Polaris". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
- ^ Corvo, Kevin (June 5, 2018). "Developers hope to open Swensons near J.W. Reason in Hilliard". ThisWeek. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
- ^ "Swensons Cheeseburger | Galley Boy | Akron, Ohio Drive In Restaurant". Swensons Drive In Restaurants. Retrieved 2011-07-20.
- ^ Symon, Michael (2010-12-02). "Beef Feuds". Food Feuds. Season 1. Episode 8. Food Network. Retrieved 2017-12-27.
- ^ Eaton, Dan (November 30, 2016). "Fans of a northeast Ohio drive-in chain getting some good news". Columbus Business First.