Big John Steak & Onion
Company
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Big John Steak & Onion, aka BJs & Onion or Steak and Onion[2] and formerly Slick-Chick, Inc., is a regional sub sandwich chain.[1] The name came from a nickname that the founder, John E. Klobucar, had received from his friends. The chain is considered a restaurant icon of the Flint Area.[3]
| |
Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Fast Food Restaurants[1] |
| Founded | 1963/1973 |
| Founder | John E. Klobucar |
| Headquarters | , USA |
Number of locations | 16 |
Area served | Mid Michigan |
Key people | John D. Klobucar[1] |
| Products | submarine sandwiches |
Number of employees | 75[1] |
| Website | www |
History
John E. Klobucar opened Flint, Michigan's first Kentucky Fried Chicken in 1963, the first outside of the Detroit area.[3][4] He incorporated his business on August 16, 1967, as Slick-Chick, Inc.[5] A decade later in 1973, Klobucar started Big John Steak and Onion,[3][4] the first restaurant to serve submarine sandwiches in the Flint Area.[3] The first location was opened on Dort Highway, near Court Street, and is still operating there. The original menu was the Steak and Onion plus 2 other subs and a Koegel hot dog.[6] His brother Joseph "Joe" Klobucher opened Big John Chicken & Sandwich Factory franchise where he lived in Caro in 1973.[3][6] On September 16, 1975, Slick-Chick changed its name to Big John Steak & Onion, Inc.[7] Klobucar later opened a KFC in Owosso, but sold the Flint location.
The restaurant grew into a chain of 15 stores across Mid-Michigan by May 2011, when Klobucar died.[3] Then Joe Klobucar took over as Chairman/President/CEO.[6]