#29: Bill Knapp’s
Bill Knapp’s was a family-style restaurant that served American food, often named after animals. The founder, Clinton “Bill” Knapp, started his restaurant with the intention of “providing decent food” at a “reasonable price” and with “friendly service.” Knapp’s opened its first branch in 1948, and it grew quickly.
At its peak, Bill Knapp’s had over sixty locations. It had locations in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Florida, though its first location was opened in Battle Creek, Michigan. The company always had big birthday deals and celebrations, and that became somewhat of its gimmick. Sadly, Bill Knapp went out of business in 2002.