The parking lot was full and the new Bob Evans restaurant in Chardon was busy on a Wednesday morning following the famous eatery’s opening last Monday.
The nation-wide chain restaurant Chardon diners have been anticipating has been serving a steady stream of customers since it opened, said Kyle Mathieson, assistant general manager.
Monday’s customer count was 689, he said, adding by Wednesday, the number had climbed to 769.
“We continue to grow every single day,” Mathieson said. “We’ve heard lots of positivity. Everyone loved the new style of Bob Evans.”
Ron Huff, who managed the Mentor Bob Evans for about 15 years, is now general manager of the Chardon Bob Evans at 295 Meadowlands Drive. He lives in Painesville.
Bob Evan’s opened at 6 a.m. Jan. 26 to the public following two restaurant previews on Jan. 21 and 23.
Funds raised by those previews are earmarked for Nick Walczak, a survivor of the Chardon High School shooting, to help him purchase a service dog for $8,000 so he can achieve greater independence and mobility, according to a corporate press release.
“We’re really happy to be part of the community,” Mathieson said, adding the restaurant has 80 to 85 part-time employees.
According to the company website, Bob Evans wants to be a contributing member of the Geauga County community.
“A tradition started by founder Bob Evans, community fundraising events are important to each restaurant by giving back to their community by serving families delicious, home-style food and donating proceeds to local charities and events. Last year, more than $500,000 was donated to local charities through the company’s Community Fundraiser program,” according to the release.
Hours for the Chardon restaurant are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day, but it will be closing at 7 p.m. on Superbowl Sunday.