Bob Evans

Introduction: Bob Evans Company History Our Beginnings Bob Evans Farms got its start when our founder, Bob Evans, began making sausage on his farm at Southeastern Ohio to serve at a 12-stool diner he owned in nearby Gallipolis in 1948. "We served a lot of breakfasts, but we couldn't get any decent sausage," Bob recalled. "So I decided to start making my own from hogs raised right on our farm using all the best parts of the hog, including the hams and tenderloins." The restaurant drew many truck drivers who traveled through the region. "You might say the truck drivers did my research for me," Bob said. "They would tell me that this was the best sausage they ever had, and then buy 10-pound tubs to take home." These good reports prompted Bob Evans to go into the sausage business. The building where he made the sausage was built with open ends, at the suggestion of his father, so it could be used as a machinery shed if the sausage business failed, but it didn't fail. In 1953, a group of friends and families recognized the growing demand for Bob's sausage and became business partners by establishing Bob Evans Farms. Entering the Restaurant Business As the reputation of Bob Evans Sausage grew, Bob Evans invited people to his farm in Rio Grande, Ohio. "There were so many people coming to the farm that we finally built a little restaurant in 1962 just to take care of them. It started out with only a dozen stools, just a convenience place," Bob recalled. The Sausage Shop The original Bob Evans Restaurant on the farm was called The Sausage Shop. Although it started with 12 stools, today, the restaurant can seat 134. Farm Heritage Lives On The farm has evolved into a tourist attraction with camping and hiking and events throughout the year. The largest event is our Bob Evans Farm Festival, being held the second full weekend, from Friday to Sunday, in October. We treat strangers like friends, and friends like family.