PERKINS HISTORY

Ever since Perkins® started as a simple pancake house, there’s always been a drive to provide truly delicious plates and exceptional service. The menu has changed to keep our guest’s taste buds guessing, but our dedication to provide the best possible experience has not. Take a quick walk down memory lane with us.

1958

Matt and Ivan Perkins open their first Perkins Pancake House in Cincinatti, Ohio. They introduce a secret buttermilk pancake recipe. Their delicious product offering, coupled with a personalized approach to service, quickly gains them a reputation for having the best pancakes in town!

1958-1969

Matt and Ivan realize the growth potential for their concept and expand through franchising. Product development includes the introduction of sandwiches and entrees.

1967

Minnesota Franchisee, Wyman Nelson, promotes his newly expanded menu with an aggressive advertising campaign. He develops a growing interest in expanding the brand to other parts of the country.

1969-1978

Nelson garners national attention for the brand by consolidating Smitty’s and Perkins, taking control and renaming it Perkins ‘Cake & Steak,’ Inc. In a quest to grow rapidly, Nelson focuses on opening over 220 Perkins Cake & Steak House restaurants.

1978-1979

Matt and Ivan Perkins decide to retire and sell their final interest in the company. In August 1979, Perkins becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Memphis-based Holidays Inns, Inc. Corporate headquarters are established in Memphis, TN.

1985

Seasoned restaurant entrepreneur Donald N. Smith purchases ownership interest in Perkins, becoming Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the company.

1986

Smith introduces innovation in the form of remodels and in-store bakeries. New omelettes are introduced along with melt sandwiches and salads.

1987

The Company is renamed Perkins Family Restaurants and organized into a master limited partnership with interests publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange.

1988

Perkins celebrates its first international restaurant in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.

1990

Perkins begins a philanthropic relationship with Give Kids The World, contributing both money and free meals to the Florida based charity.

2004

The Company operates or franchises 494 full-service restaurants in 34 states and five Canadian provinces.

2006

Perkins Restaurant & Bakery acquired Marie Callender’s.

2012

Business transformation began with the hire of Jeff Warne as CEO.

2015

Commenced a Store wide Remodel program to be completed December 2018.