The Willam (Tiny) Zehnder, Jr. Family owns the Bavarian Inn of Frankenmuth. Tiny & wife Dorothy purchased the restaurant in 1950 from the Fischer Family. (Click here for history) Tiny had a passion for transforming the restaurant so that the authentic German heritage would be reflected in the buildings and costuming of the staff. He spent nearly 50 years of his life assisting and encouraging other Frankenmuth businesses to either build or remodel their buildings in the Bavarian style. Due to poor health, Tiny resigned from active management of the Bavarian Inn Restaurant in 2004. He remained Chairman of the Board of Bavarian Inn, Inc. until his death May 23, 2006. Dorothy has a passion for cooking and teaching others to cook and continues working, usually six days a week.
Three generations of the Zehnder family now are actively involved in the day-to-day operations. At the restaurant Dorothy Zehnder is joined by son William A. (Bill), President, his wife, Karen and daughter, Amy Zehnder Grossi, Co-General Managers. Tiny & Dorothy's daughter, Judy Zehnder Keller, is President of the Bavarian Inn Lodge and Gift Shops, Inc. Judy's son, Michael Keller Zehnder, has joined her as Manager at the Bavarian Inn Lodge and her husband, Don Keller, is the Corporate Treasurer.
Bavarian Inn Restaurant Address
One Covered Bridge Lane Frankenmuth, MI United States