Swensons
Swensons Drive-In is a regional drive-in fast food restaurant chain with locations throughout Greater Akron, Greater Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati 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]
Type | Private |
---|---|
Industry | Fast Food |
Founded | 1934Akron, Ohio | in
Founders | Wesley T. "Pop" Swenson |
Headquarters | Akron, Ohio |
Number of locations | 16 (maybe 2021) |
Area served | Greater Akron and Greater Columbus, Ohio |
Products | Burgers |
Number of employees | 800 |
Website | swensonsdriveins |
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), North Olmsted (2018), and Willoughby (maybe 2021).[4][5] Expansion of the chain into the Columbus Area is complete with locations in Dublin, New Albany, Columbus, and Hilliard.[6][7]
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
- 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.