Maid Rite Franchise Targeting St. Michael

One of the biggest complaints any St. Michael resident will tell you he or she might have is a lack of local dining options. 

If you want to eat out, you have to pack up the family vehicle and head somewhere else, many point out. 

But that's been a chaning theme in 2011, as the St. Michael and Albertville have welcomed establishements like Patti J's, Neighbors, Pubhouse 19 and the newest addition, Liberty Restaurant and Bar. 

Now, a national franchise is aiming to make St. Michael its latest destination. 

Maid Rite, made famous by its unique, ground-beef sandwiches, has its eyes on brining a diner to St. Michael with the release of its 2011 "growth plan." It needs an investor to make the opportunity a reality. 

"I was impressed byt he opportunity for a Maid Rite restaurant within this community of more than 16,000 residents. There is a real need for a sit-down family restaurant," said Tania Burt, executive vice president of franchise development for Maid Rite. "This could be a fantastic opportunity for a local entreprenuer." 

St. Michael City Administrator Bob Derus said the restaurant would fit in with the community's economic plan. 

"There is a real demand for a restaurant like Maid Rite here. We would weclome a Maid Rite and would be glad to assist in the site selection for an entrepreneur may be interested in that opportunity," Derus said. 

Founded in 1926, the company based its first location in Muscataine, Iowa. Founded by Fred Angell, the company is known for its loose-meat sandwiches, as well as other Americana fare. 

The franchise currently has stores in nine Midwestern states, including two in Minnesota, located in Bemidji and St. Cloud. Maid Rite is based in Des Moines.