Lawry’s Top Execs Visit Arcadia Rotary Club

Richard N. Frank, Richard R. Frank, Arcadia Rotary Club president Imy Dulake

By Anne Donofrio-Holter

Arcadia Rotarians served up a tasty program last week when Richard N. Frank, chairman of Lawry’s Restaurants, Inc., and his son, Richard R. Frank, president and CEO, were the club’s keynote speakers.

According to Richard N. Frank, the history of Lawry’s began in 1913 when his father, Lawrence L. Frank, married into the Van De Kamp family. Two years later he and Ted Van De Kamp opened Saratoga Potato Chips on Spring Street in Los Angeles.

Frank’s father, along with his uncle, Walter Van de Kamp, founded the Lawry’s company in 1922, forming an official relationship between Lawry’s and Van De Kamp bakeries. Also that year, the two men opened the Tam O’Shanter, which has the distinction of being Los Angeles’ oldest restaurant operated by the same family in the same location. Back in the day, the restaurant’s regulars included Tom Mix, Fatty Arbuckle, Mary Pickford, John Wayne and Walt Disney.

In 1938, Lawrence L. Frank and Walter Van De Kamp founded Lawry’s The Prime Rib on La Cienega Boulevard in Beverly Hills. For many years, it was unique in that it offered a single entree – roast beef – served “from a large silver cart,” designed by Lawrence, “pushed table to table where the meat is then carved to order.” The restaurant is also known for its Yorkshire pudding and signature “spinning salad,” which is prepared at each customer’s table by a server spinning a large metal bowl of green atop a bed of ice.

According to Frank, Lawry’s was the first restaurant to serve salad before the main meal. It is also said to have originated the” doggy bag.”
“Much of the splendor of the meal was in the way each part of the dinner was prepared and presented,” he said.

Also in 1938, Lawry’s began selling its seasoned salt in retail stores, followed by a large variety of seasonings made available to consumers bearing the Lawry’s name.
In 1956, just prior to the Rose Bowl Game, Lawry’s played host to the two competing teams – the Oregon State Beavers and the Iowa Hawkeyes. This went on to become known as the Beef Bowl and the tradition continues to this day.

According to Frank, through the years, the basic elements of Lawry’s The Prime Rib have remained virtually unchanged.

“It is still a family business, with the second and third generations of Franks and Van de Kamps working side by side in the restaurants’ operation,” he said.

Arcadia Rotary Club President Imy Dulake, Arcadia Rotary Club past-president Laura Freedman, Richard N. Frank, Richard R. Frank

“Modifications and improvements have been made to meet today’s demands, but the meals served remain timeless and still very much Lawry’s.”

Frank joined the company in 1950 and for many years served as president and CEO of Lawry’s Foods, Inc. which includes over 100 products. Under his leadership, Lawry’s Foods, Inc., now owned by the McCormick Company, grew from a fledgling family business into a multi-million dollar company.

Franks’ son, Richard R., serves as president and CEO of Lawry’s Restaurants, Inc. and represents the third generation of the Frank family active in the management of the company. A grandson represents the fourth generation.

“Both father and son have been active Rotarians in the Los Angeles Rotary Club and take pride in their restaurants, which are known for quality and integrity,” said Arcadia Rotarian Eric Barter.

“The Lawry’s story is quite an impressive testament to family and entrepreneurship over several generations,” added club vice president Brad Miller. “We are very pleased that both gentlemen took time out of their busy schedules to visit us this afternoon.”

The company also owns the Five Crowns and Lawry’s Carvery restaurants with Lawry’s The Prime Rib also located in Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas and several international locations.

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