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Big John Steak & Onion facts for kids
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| Private | |
| Industry | Fast Food Restaurants |
| Founded | 1963/1973 |
| Founder | John E. Klobucar |
| Headquarters |
Mt. Morris Township, MI
,
USA
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Number of locations
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16 |
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Area served
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Mid Michigan |
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Key people
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John D. Klobucar |
| Products | submarine sandwiches |
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Number of employees
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75 |
Big John Steak & Onion is a popular restaurant chain famous for its delicious submarine sandwiches. People sometimes call it BJs & Onion or just Steak and Onion. The founder, John E. Klobucar, got the nickname "Big John" from his friends, and that's how the restaurant got its name! It's a very well-known place in the Flint Area.
Contents
History of Big John Steak & Onion
How It All Started
The story of Big John Steak & Onion began with John E. Klobucar. In 1963, he opened the very first Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant in Flint, Michigan. This was the first KFC outside of the Detroit area. His business was officially named Slick-Chick, Inc. in 1967.
The Birth of Big John
About ten years later, in 1973, John Klobucar started something new: Big John Steak & Onion. This was the first restaurant in the Flint Area to serve submarine sandwiches. The very first Big John location opened on Dort Highway, and it's still there today!
The first menu was simple. It featured the famous Steak and Onion sandwich, plus two other subs and a Koegel hot dog. John's brother, Joseph "Joe" Klobucher, also opened a Big John Chicken & Sandwich Factory in Caro, Michigan, that same year.
Changing the Name
On September 16, 1975, Slick-Chick, Inc. officially changed its name to Big John Steak & Onion, Inc. John Klobucar later opened another KFC in Owosso, but he sold the original Flint KFC location.
Growing the Chain
By May 2011, Big John Steak & Onion had grown into a chain of 15 restaurants. These stores were spread across Mid-Michigan. When John Klobucar passed away in 2011, his brother Joe Klobucar took over the company. Joe became the Chairman, President, and CEO.
What's on the Menu?
Big John Steak & Onion is known for a few special items that customers love.
- Steak and Onion Sandwich: This is their most famous sandwich. It often comes with banana peppers, which many people enjoy.
- Red Sauce: This unique sauce is a bit sweet and a bit spicy. It's like a special cocktail sauce. The recipe for this sauce is credited to John Kish, who owned a well-known restaurant in Downtown Flint called Uncle Bob's Diner.