Zehnder received the Robert H. Albert Lifetime Community Service Award from the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce at its 2012 Community Leadership Awards Nov. 9, 2012. The award is given in recognition of civic accomplishments as well as achievements in a candidate’s chosen field. The Chamber also selected Zehnder based on his sound moral character and his inspiration to the community.
“It is an honor to receive this award,” said Zehnder, a lifelong resident of Frankenmuth. “I’m proud to be part of a family that places service at the center of everything we do: Service to God, our customers, the community and each other.”
Since 1980, Zehnder has served as President of Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn, Inc., and Managing Partner of Frankenmuth River Place. For most of his life, Zehnder has been a leader in the community, giving his time to the Jaycees, the Michigan Restaurant Association, the Rotary Club, the Michigan State University Alumni Association and the Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber award is in its 48th year. In 1991, William (Tiny) Zehnder and Edwin Zehnder were co-recipients of the Lifetime Community Service Award. Tiny is the late father and Edwin the late uncle of William A. Zehnder.
This month’s other honor is for The Bavarian Inn Restaurant itself, which was selected as a Corp! Magazine Michigan Food & Agriculture Award Winner. The award was presented Nov. 15, 2012, at Schoolcraft College in Livonia, Mich.
The Bavarian Inn Restaurant is also being honored as the overall winner in the Retail category for making Michigan’s Food and Agriculture industry a source of pride and economic growth. The restaurant is one of the largest single consumer of Michigan’s food basket, serving a wide variety of Pure Michigan dishes and desserts. During the course of a year the Bavarian Inn will serve 1.5-tons of whitefish, 2,650 gallons of sauerkraut, more than 70 tons of Blue Hubbard squash, 125-tons of potatoes and enough dark beer to float a battleship. And that’s just a small sample of the Michigan products used in Bavarian Inn’s kitchen.
“I tell everyone to buy Michigan,” said Zehnder. “Everything produced in our state is on par or superior to what you’ll find around the world. Consumers can directly and positively grow our state’s economy by purchasing Michigan made and Michigan grown products. It keeps the state’s residents working and spending, and our businesses thriving and hiring. It makes good sense all around.”
Agriculture represents the second largest industry in the state, employing 1 million Michigan residents and adding roughly $60 billion to the state’s economy.
More than a restaurant, Bavarian Inn has become a Michigan landmark. Generations of diners, lodgers and tourists from around the globe have discovered true Bavarian hospitality thanks to Dorothy and her late husband William “Tiny” Zehnder. Guests experience the old-world European charm of the Bavarian Inn – whether it’s the famous chicken dinners, fresh baked goods, or Michigan’s greatest selection of German beer. Today, against the backdrop of authentic German architecture, a variety of shops and other fun activities, a trip to Frankenmuth would not be complete without a visit to the Bavarian Inn. Learn more at www.bavarianinn.com.
Corp! magazine was founded in 1998. Corp! in print and online is a B-to-B publication which features success stories, best practices and strategies that CEOs, business owners, executives and managers can use directly. It also provides business features, news and profiles with a Michigan emphasis.
Media contact:
Sue Voyles
734-667-2005
sue (at) logos-communications.com
