Man who made Marie Callender's into L.A. institution dies

The man behind the Marie Callender's restaurant and pie empire has died, according to the Desert Sun. Don Callender (along with his mother, Marie) created another one of those homespun eating institutions of post-war Southern California. Nancy Luna, the Fast Food Maven blogger, pays tribute:

In 1948, Callender helped turn his mother Marie’s home-based bakery into a wholesale pie business. The first pie and coffee shop later opened in 1964 in Orange.  He eventually sold the chain in the late 1980s. "He was very proud of what he'd accomplished," said Phil Ratner, former chief executive of Mission Viejo-based Marie Callender's. Ratner said he heard about Callender's death from a radio report while driving home Thursday night.  He said Callender was in his 70s when he worked with him several years ago.

--Shelby Grad

Comments

[Steve]

Phil Ratner never meant Don Callender, I am sorry to hear of Don's passing and shocked Phil would act like they "worked together" when they never even meant. Now is not the time...