Date: July 16, 2001
Runza^® Restaurants Opens Second Location in Bellevue

LINCOLN, NE- On July 12th, the 63rd Runza® Restaurant opened in Bellevue, Nebraska. This second Bellevue location is on the east side of 36th Street at Highway 370 in the Daniell Crossing Development.

A private, pre-opening party was held the evening of July 11th for stockholders, business vendors, employees and civic leaders. Mayor Jerry Ryan and several members of the Bellevue City Council and Chamber of Commerce were present for the ribbon cutting. Chamber President Tom Richards presented General Manager Jeff Kunkle with a framed "first dollar."

Renee Sjulin, Vice President of Runza® National, spoke about Runza®'s history in the Omaha and Bellevue communities and commented on the great local support represented at the event. "Runza® Restaurants strive to be good community partners. With this impressive show of support, I am confident Jeff will find it easy to be involved."

Approximately 250 guests enjoyed their favorite Runza® Restaurant menu items at the opening party. Runza® characters, including Runza® Rex, entertained the children.

Members of the Daniell family were present as well. Richard W. Daniell was the "Daniell Crossing" forefather as well as a Cornhusker Commonwealth hall-of-famer. Daniell came to Sarpy County in 1867 to farm 520 acres, still known as the Daniells farm. The Daniell family had a well known "show herd" that won hundreds of medals at the Nebraska State Fair year after year. The most famous of the herd was "Samson" the bull ox who weighed 2200 lbs. Samson Way, where the new Runza® Restaurant is located, is named after this animal who was the forefather of many of the farm work animals in Nebraska. Runza® Restaurants is very proud to now own a piece of Nebraska's founding history.

Jeff Kunkle, former manager trainee at Papillion and manager of the Bellevue East location, is the managing partner at the new Bellevue West store. "With the growth and expansion in the area, I am confident this store will be successful," said Kunkle. Runza® Restaurants is excited to open a new location in this growing part of Bellevue. Members of the Kunkle Family have been long time residents of the Omaha/Bellevue area.

Runza® Restaurants - famous for the Runza® Sandwich with its delicious blend of ground beef, cabbage, onions and secret spices baked inside homemade bread; fresh ground hamburgers; and onion rings - operates and franchises 63 restaurants in Nebraska, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas and South Dakota.


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