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Schreiner’s History
Schreiner's Restaurant, now in its 5th location, owes its existence to humble beginnings on Main Street, Fond du Lac, during the shadows of the Great Depression.
The Schreiner's restaurant of today traces its history to The Grill, a North Main Street restaurant opened by Regina and Albert Schreiner. Funded by a loan from Regina's father, when Albert lost his factory job due to economic downturn, The Grill opened its doors on July 13, 1938. Total revenues from their busy first day of operation came to $65. An early photo of The Grill shows window signs mentioning a plate lunch for 25 cents and dinners for 30 cents.
The success of The Grill soon prompted Albert and Regina to relocate, and Schreiner's Home Cooking was opened at 237 South Main Street in 1940. By 1946, seating at this location had expanded to 190, and the line of customers often extended out the door and down the block. It was during these years that Regina worked at developing and refining many of the recipes she was known for. A trip out East inspired her to experiment with clam chowder recipes, and Schreiner's Famous New England Style Clam Chowder was born.
In 1953 Albert and Regina sold their restaurant and embarked upon retirement. Their son Bernard, who had been helping with the family enterprise, moved to Marinette, WI. There Bernard, and his wife Maureen, opened Schreiner's Restaurant, which they operated until 1968. This restaurant, and every Schreiner's location through the years, was located on US Highway 41.
In 1955 Albert and Regina were lured out of retirement when a motel developer convinced them to open a restaurant to complement his motel at the intersection of Highway 41 and Grove Street. The 40-seat dining room was expanded to 90 seats, and the Schreiner's trademark light-blue-and white color scheme was adopted.
Albert passed away in 1960, and in 1968 Bernard moved back to Fond du Lac to relieve his mother of some of her duties. The Schreiner's Restaurant in Marinette was sold and the new owner soon changed the name of his restaurant.
In 1971, when property became available at the intersection of Highways 41 and 23, Bernard knew the time was right for one more relocation. He was instrumental in the planning and design of the current Schreiner's Restaurant, which opened on March 15, 1973. Grandma Schreiner, as Regina became known, retired in 1976, and continued to live in Fond du Lac until her death in 1990.
In 1992, Bernard made the decision to sell the restaurant and retire. Long-time manager Paul Cunningham, along with his wife Joan, became the first and only non-family owners of Schreiner's Restaurant. Paul, who began his Schreiner's career in 1969 as a 15-year-old busboy, remains dedicated to maintaining the quality and consistency Schreiner's Restaurant has been known for since its beginning.
 The current management team consists of the Cunninghams, General Manager Michael Schaefer, and Assistant Managers Marcia Haupt and Nathan Haupt. This management team is active in the National Restaurant Association, The Wisconsin Restaurant Association, The Lake-to-Lake chapter of the WRA, and numerous civic and service organizations.
Schreiner’s Restaurant has received the State of Wisconsin Governor’s Exemplary Employer Award, the Fond du Lac Visitor’s and Convention Bureau Award for Excellence in the Hospitality Industry, along with numerous other statewide and local awards. In 2005 Paul Cunningham was honored to receive the Wisconsin Restaurant Association’s Restaurateur of the Year Award, a traveling award which had been received by Bernard Schreiner back in 1976.
Today Schreiner's Restaurant is recognized as one of the busiest and most successful restaurants in Wisconsin. 150 skilled employees serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner to an average of 1700 guests per day, or 600,000 per year.
These loyal customers travel from all over Wisconsin, and beyond, to enjoy fresh bakery products and homemade soups and entrees. The location has changed over the years, but guests continue to visit Schreiner's Restaurant for food that's as good as Grandma (Grandma Schreiner, that is) used to make. |
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168 North Pioneer Road, Fond du Lac, WI 54935 • (920) 922-0590 • eat@fdlchowder.com
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