Swensons Drive-In is an Ohio and Indiana drive-in restaurant chain with locations in the Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Youngstown areas, along with the Indianapolis area. Swensons' signature hamburger is the Galley Boy, a double cheeseburger prepared using two sauces,[1][2] and the restaurant also purveys 18 different milkshakes.[1]
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Fast Food |
| Founded | 1934 in Akron, Ohio |
| Founders | Wesley T. "Pop" Swenson |
| Headquarters | Akron, Ohio |
Number of locations | 20 (2023) |
Area served | Greater Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus and Youngstown, Ohio as well as Greater Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Products | Burgers |
Number of employees | 800 |
| Website | swensonsdriveins |
History
editWesley 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 Avenue in Akron, near West 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 (1996), Seven Hills (2001), North Canton (2003), University Heights (2017), North Olmsted (2018), Avon (2018) and Willoughby (July 2021[4]).[5][6] Expansion of the chain into the Columbus area is complete with locations in Dublin, New Albany, Columbus, and Hilliard.[7][8] Swensons expanded to Indiana, opening in Avon in February 2023.[citation needed]
Reception
editIn popular culture
editOn an episode of The Food Network's series Food Feuds entitled Beef Feuds, Swensons was pitted against the Skyway drive-in in the Akron suburb of Fairlawn for best double cheeseburger in the Akron area.[10] Celebrity fans include Black Keys drummer Patrick Carney, actor Matt Lanter, and basketball player LeBron James.[11]
References
edit- ^ a b 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.
- ^ Thompson, Lynne (2001-10-23). "A day at the drive-in". Smart Business. Cleveland, Ohio: Smart Business Network, Incorporated.
- ^ Hlavaty, Kaylyn (July 19, 2021). "Swensons Drive-in brings its signature galley boy and milkshakes to Willoughby". News 5 (WEWS-TV). Cleveland, Ohio: Scripps Media.
- ^ "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.