Restaurant Industry’s Senior Leader Shares Tips for Success

Dorothy Zehnder, co-founder of the family-owned Bavarian Inn Restaurant plans to celebrate her 95th birthday on Thursday, Dec. 1 doing what she does most days--working in the family business. 

Dorothy Zehnder"I like working," she said. "I like to cook, and I like people. What else is there that I would like better?"

Over the years, Zehnder has been involved with all the family's business operations, all located in Frankenmuth – Michigan's Little Bavaria. In addition to the restaurant, they include Bavarian Inn Lodge, Castle Shops, River Place Shops, Covered Bridge & Leather Gift Shop, Frankenmuth Cheese Haus, a specialty line of food products, and online store. She founded the restaurant with her late husband, William "Tiny" Zehnder, after his family purchased the former Fischer's Hotel in 1950. At that time, the Zehnders and their 12 employees served about 50 people a day. Today, the Bavarian Inn Restaurant has 450 employees, serves thousands of people a day in 12 dining…