Zesto Drive-In

Infobox_Company
company_name = Zesto Drive-In
company_type = Private
foundation = 1952
location = Evansville, IN, USA
key_people = Dan Hardesty-owner/operator
industry = Food
products = Fast food, including hamburgers, french fries, ice cream, banana splits, and homemade/ hand blended milkshakes

Franchise History

Zesto Drive-In restaurants was started by entrepreneur and inventor L.A.M. Phelan, of Broaster Company fame, as a national franchise chain with locations from coast tocoast. The first Zesto in Evansville, IN opened in 1949 on FranklinStreet, the second in Evansville opened on Boonville Highway, and the third Zesto opened on Riverside. The chain was especially popular in big cities such as Atlanta, GA, Columbia, SC, Kansas City, KS, Louisville, KY, etc., but it was also a staple in many small towns, such as Greensboro and Concord, NC and other communities in the south and midwest. Over time, thefranchise vanished leaving several Zesto Drive-Ins around the country, but now they are all locally owned and operated by different people. The franchise died young, but the name lives on.

Zesto on Riverside

Zesto Drive-In’s grand opening was on August 24, 1952. The restaurant is located at 920 E.Riverside in Evansville, IN, which is downtown. It is only a few blocks from the Ohio River and five miles from the Indiana and Kentucky border. It was founded by Harold and Howard Knoles.

After several ownerships, Tom Hardesty bought the restaurant in 1971 and became the new owner andoperator for the next twenty six years. Tom thought that he had lost hisrestaurant on January 6, 1985 when the gas grill’s grease caught on fireleaving the restaurant in flames. With Tom's determination and the help of hisfamily, Zesto reopened as good as new, in the summer of 1985.

Zesto is a family “mom and pop” restaurant, which was great for Tom because hehad eleven children who all worked there. Tom formed a partnership with hisson, Dan Hardesty, in 1986. Twelve years later Tom retired, passing on hisownership to his son in 1998. Dan Hardesty and his family currentlyown Zesto on Riverside and hope to keep the locally popular restaurant of fiftyfive years, and family business of thirty six years, running strongly for many more years tocome.

Originality

Zesto Drive-Ins are typical fast food restaurants of the "50s". To purchase food or treats, you walk up to the outside window and place your order. There are benches and picnic tables located outside around the building, but most people just take the food to go. Sometimes, a dining room is available also.

Menu Items

Zesto serves a wide variety of food. Some of the menu items include quarterpound hamburgers, crinkle cut french fries, cheese sticks, homemade chili, friedshimp, chicken strips, battered onion rings, corn dogs, and fish sandwiches.Although food is served, Zesto is known for its unique icecream. The ice cream is soft served and made with low fat cream. You canorder traditional ice cream cones, have them dipped in chocolate, rolled intwinkle kote (candy coating), or try one of the eight flavors of flavor burst. Zesto is famous for its banana splits, hot fudge or fruit flavor sundaes, and homemade, hand blended milkshakes.

Community

Zesto is known locally around the tri state area and tries to stay active inthe community. Throughout the year, Zesto donates food and treats, to localschools, churches, and organizations. Some schools receive “free ice cream cone”cards to give to their students for good grades.

References

*Evansville Courier and Press. 6 Jan. 1985. Retrieved March 1, 2007.
*Hardesty, Dan. Personal Interview. 2 Mar. 2007. Retrieved March 2, 2007.
*"Zesto's Grand Opening." Evansville Courier and Press. 24 Aug. 1952. Retrieved March 3, 2007.