Zehnder´s of Frankenmuth is the Tops

FRANKENMUTH, Mich., May. 05 /PRNewswire/ --

FRANKENMUTH, Mich., May 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Zehnder's of Frankenmuth, the 1,500 seat family restaurant located in Frankenmuth, Mich., served more guests in 2007 than any other independent restaurant in the country. According to Restaurant & Institutions, a restaurant trade publication, Zehnder's was number one in the country serving 984,190 guests -- up nearly 10 percent from 2006.

Known for its popular all-you-can-eat family-style chicken dinners since 1929, Zehnder's also ranked number one as the largest independent restaurant with 100,000 square feet of hospitality. More than half of the 100 restaurants ranked are located in Chicago, Las Vegas and New York. Zehnder's is the sole Michigan independent representative that qualified for the annual top 100 list; overall Zehnder's ranked number 43 in sales. The restaurant also holds the distinction as having the lowest average guest check at $13.75 among the top 100.

"We couldn't be more pleased to be included again in the top 100 independent rankings," said Zehnder's Chairman and CEO Al Zehnder. "If they ranked restaurants according to best employees, we would win hands-down. Our staff is dedicated to providing consistent quality food and service, and many of our employees have been with us for many years, many over 35 years."

Zehnder's is gearing up for Mother's Day, traditionally one of the busiest days of the year when the restaurant typically serves more than 5,000 meals. All-you-can-eat family-style chicken dinners are the most popular menu item and guests consume more than 840,000 pounds of chicken every year. The restaurant's menu also offers seafood, steaks, fresh baked goods and European desserts. The Z Bakery and Marketplace and Z Chef's Cafe are also located in the main restaurant building.

The Bavarian town of Frankenmuth, 90 miles north of Detroit, is one of the state's top tourist destinations with more than 3 million visitors each year. In addition to Zehnder's 1,500 seat restaurant with a marketplace, bakery and gift store, Zehnder's of Frankenmuth owns and operates Zehnder's Splash Village Hotel and Waterpark, and the 18-hole championship golf course, The Fortress. In 1998, Golf Digest recognized The Fortress as one of the top 450 public golf courses in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Frankenmuth was voted the best day trip in Michigan by Detroit News readers, and Zehnder's was honored as one of the top vacation-stop restaurants in the state. Learn more about Zehnder's at http://www.zehnders.com or call 800-863-7999, central reservations for dining, golf, meetings and lodging.

Contact: John Shelton, Zehnder's of Frankenmuth Vice President of Sales/Marketing (989) 652-0434 Joyce Cusmano (313) 885-8228 Cell: 313-580-0925