Bill Knapp's

Infobox_Company
company_name = Bill Knapp's
company_
company_type = Private
foundation = 1956
defunct = 2002
location = Battle Creek, Michigan, USA
key_people = Clinton B. Knapp, Founder
industry = Casual dining restaurant
homepage =

Bill Knapp's was an American family restaurant chain. It was founded byClinton B. Knapp (March 13, 1907 – October 15, 1974), in Battle Creek, Michigan in 1956. The chain operated in Michigan, Ohio, Florida, and Indiana, with more than 60 locations at its peak. After a revamp of the chain's core business model in the early 2000s, the restaurant chain filed for bankruptcy in 2002 and was shuttered. [ [http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3190/is_22_36/ai_86762987 Midwest's Bill Knapp's files for Chapter 11 - News Digests] FindArticles. Retrieved on August 2, 2007]

The Menu

Bill Knapp's featured a menu primarily filled with typical family dining items. The menu included a limited breakfast, sandwiches, baskets, luncheon and dinner plates. A children's menu, featuring meals named for animals, was also offered. Recipes for their fried chicken, bean soup, vegetable soup, onion rings, au gratin potatoes, and chocolate cake (later purchased by Awrey Bakeries) [ [http://www.meijer.com/about/pr_pages/2003/052903.asp Bill Knapp's signature cakes exclusive at Meijer] Meijer. Retrieved on August 2, 2007 ] were also featured. Locations replenished inventory on a daily basis with their own fleet of trucks.

Downfall

In 1998, in reaction to this aspect of their reputation, Bill Knapp's instituted a "That Was Then, This Is WOW" marketing campaign, as well as an overall revamp of the chain's image. The changes included revising old building exteriors with newer, hipper color schemes, and further changes, including the installation of video games in restaurants. [ [http://archive.lib.msu.edu/MMM/LA/01/g/LA01g007.jpgBill Knapp's old building] Retrieved on August 2, 2007 ] [ [http://americajr.com/pictures/BillKnapps.jpgBill Knapp's new building] Retrieved on August 2, 2007] This overhaul of the chain's demographics proved unsuccessful, however.Fact|date=June 2008 In 2001, Bill Knapp's tried to reverse course by announcing that "The Tradition is Back", but by then it was too late. By 2002, the chain's last restaurant had closed. [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20020924155616/familydining.com/ An open letter to Bill Knapp's guests from Jamie Brown] The Internet Wayback Machine. Retrieved on August 2, 2007.]

Footnotes

References

*cite web|url=http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040830/LIFESTYLE08/408300303&SearchID=73188250548953|title=Bill Knapp's is gone, but it isn't forgotten
*cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20000301113738/http://www.billknapps.com/|title=That Was Then, This Is WOW
*cite web|url=http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1241822|title=Bill Knapp's
*cite web|url=http://www.ourmidland.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=5113006&BRD=2289&PAG=461&dept_id=472542&rfi=6|title=Bill Knapp's closes restaurants without notice