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This is Fred Ball, Zions Bank, speaking on business.
Recently, The Utah Restaurant Association posthumously honored one of the giants of the restaurant business in the state of Utah. Norm Slaymaker, founder of the Slaymaker Restaurant Group, was honored for his tireless effort and great success in the food service industry in the Intermountain West.
The Slaymaker Group have the Tony Romas's, T.G.I Fridays, Wingers and Tucci's restaurants from Logan to St. George. Norm started his food ventures in 1963 when along with three friends he opened Scott's Drive Inn in Granger. This little fast food restaurant is still operating in West Valley City, although it has different owners. In the early 1970s, Norm purchased the franchise rights for Sizzler Restaurants in Alaska and built his first sit-down restaurant in Anchorage. Eventually, he had six Sizzler's in Alaska. Soon, there were four Sizzler's in Wyoming and then he started the Chi-Chi franchises in Salt Lake City, Provo, Layton and Logan. Stores soon were opened in Idaho Falls and Anchorage.
The family eventually sold off the Sizzler stores in Alaska and Wyoming and the Chi-Chi outlets so they could concentrate on growing the company with other names and products.
In 1987, the first Tony Roma's was built in Midvale followed quickly by others in Trolley Square, Logan, St. George and Layton. Norm's son Eric started the idea of Wingers and the new concept became an instant hit, and company-owned stores and franchised outlets soon spread throughout the Mountain States. T. G. I. Friday's also opened and flourished throughout the state. Tucci"s was later added to the mix.
Norm died in February, 1995, after a long, courageous battle with cancer. But the company continues to flourish under the leadership of Don Morehouse as well as the Slaymaker family—Barbara, Scott, Eric, Suzy and her husband Stefano. They all continue to grow the company and honor the memory of their father Norm.
It was good for The Utah Restaurant Association to honor Norm R. Slaymaker. He was a pilot, soldier, athlete, friend, father and businessman that Utah could be proud of.
For Zions Bank, I’m Fred ball. I'm speaking on business.
