Who Is Bob Evans? The Man Behind the Famous Restaurant Chain

If you’ve enjoyed a hearty meal at Bob Evans or grabbed their sausage from the grocery shelf, you’ve probably wondered, ‘Who is the man behind the name?’ This article shares the simple, inspiring story of Bob Evans  the farmer and food lover who started it all.

The Early Life of Bob Evans

Bob Evans was born Robert Lewis Evans on May 30, 1918, in Sugar Ridge, Ohio. He grew up in a rural farming community, where he learned the value of hard work and home-cooked meals. His upbringing in a close-knit farming family shaped his values and future career.

After attending Ohio State University, he returned to his roots in Ohio and began working in the meat industry. His strong work ethic and dedication to quality food helped him build what would soon become a national brand.

How Bob Evans Started His Sausage Business

In the 1940s, Bob Evans owned a small 12-stool diner in Gallipolis, Ohio. He wanted to serve high-quality sausage to his customers, but he couldn’t find any that met his standards. So, he began making his sausage using pork from local farmers.

Word spread quickly. Customers loved his sausage, and demand grew beyond his small diner. People would drive from miles away to buy Bob Evans sausage. To keep up, he began shipping it directly to customers and stores.

This led to the creation of Bob Evans Farms, Inc. in 1953, officially turning his sausage-making into a full-scale business.

The First Bob Evans Restaurant

As the sausage business expanded, Bob Evans opened the first official Bob Evans Restaurant in 1962 in Rio Grande, Ohio, near his family farm. The goal was simple: serve farm-fresh, homestyle meals in a family friendly setting.

The restaurant offered country style breakfasts, hearty dinners, and, of course, his famous sausage. Customers loved the warm atmosphere, affordable prices, and home-cooked flavors.

By the 1970s and 1980s, Bob Evans Restaurants were popping up across the Midwest and beyond, becoming a staple in many communities.

Bob Evans: The Farmer, Businessman, and Philanthropist

Bob Evans was more than just a business person. He was a lifelong farmer, passionate about rural America and helping others. He believed in supporting local agriculture, and his business always prioritized using farm-fresh ingredients.

In 1980, he founded the Bob Evans Farms Foundation, which supports education, community development, and healthcare in rural areas. He also donated land to Ohio University and supported 4-H and FFA programs.

Bob Evans passed away in 2007, but his legacy lives on through his restaurants, food products, and charitable work.

What Is Bob Evans Famous For?

Bob Evans is best known for:

• Bob Evans Sausage: Premium pork sausage made from a family recipe.
• Bob Evans Restaurants: Serving classic American comfort food.
• Bob Evans Farms: A brand found in grocery stores across the U.S., offering mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, and more.

His name became synonymous with quality, country-style cooking, and Midwestern hospitality.

Bob Evans Farms Today

Though Bob Evans himself is gone, the brand continues to grow. The restaurant chain and the food products division are now operated separately:

• Bob Evans Restaurants was sold to Golden Gate Capital in 2017 and continues to operate more than 400 locations across the country.
• Bob Evans Farms, Inc., which makes grocery store products, was acquired by Post Holdings, the company behind brands like Honey Bunches of Oats.

Despite the corporate changes, both parts of the business remain true to Bob Evans’ vision: providing delicious, farm-inspired food to families across America.

FAQs 

Final Thought

Now you know the answer to “Who is Bob Evans?” He was a real person with a passion for food, farming, and family values. From a small diner in Ohio to a national restaurant chain and grocery store brand, Bob Evans built a legacy that still feeds millions of people today.