[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 67 (Wednesday, April 25, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2434-S2435]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING SMITTY'S PANCAKE AND STEAK HOUSE

 Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, as you may know, small businesses 
make up a significant portion of the retail and food services economy, 
both in my home State of Idaho and around the country. In Idaho, small 
businesses employ 67 percent of workers in the food services sector. As 
chairman of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, I am 
proud to recognize Smitty's Pancake and Steak House as the Small 
Business of the Month for April 2018. Located in Idaho Falls, Smitty's 
Pancake and Steak House has provided exceptional service and quality 
food in a welcoming environment for decades.
  Like many small restaurants, Smitty's began as just one location 
within a larger franchise network. However, in 1971, Leo and Cleo 
Werner left their jobs to buy the franchise license, thus changing the 
structure of the restaurant. Right away, the Werners knew that, in 
order to build a successful restaurant and leave a positive legacy, 
they would need to build customer loyalty by emphasizing customer 
service and creating an environment that makes their customers feel at 
home. When the Smitty's chain rebranded, Mr. and Mrs. Werner decided to 
strike out on their own as independent owners. The Werners decided that 
they should continue focusing on the values at the center of their 
business, rather than sacrifice their restaurant's charm for the 
relative stability of being part of a chain. These values live on in 
the restaurant today, as the business is led by Mr. and Mrs. Werner's 
granddaughters, Katrina Lott and Amanda Rosenberg. They have kept the 
restaurant in the family, taking over when their mother, the Werner's 
daughter Darlene, retired.
  The Werners were eager to lead their team of employees by example, 
taking up any task that needed to get done around the restaurant, no 
matter how big or small. Their attention to customer service created 
strong loyalty among their customers, which is one of the many reasons 
people return. The Werners know that their customers are coming back in 
part for the family atmosphere cultivated by their friendly staff. 
Smitty's is known for serving a high volume of people at all times of 
the day, with some people lining up before 6 in the morning in order to 
get a taste of their hand-cut steaks and buttermilk pancakes. They have 
truly lived up to their motto of ``everybody's favorite.''
  The restaurant enjoys strong customer loyalty not only because of the 
superb service, but also because of the tasty breakfast and dinner 
offerings, which remain largely unchanged from when Leo and Cleo Werner 
took control of the restaurant over 46 years ago. Whether you are 
looking for a traditional American breakfast or a homestyle steak-and-
potatoes dinner, visitors and native Idahoans alike know they can find 
it at Smitty's.
  Smitty's Pancake and Steak House has become a landmark in the Idaho 
Falls community by having the friendliest service in town and 
maintaining a menu of favorite items that keep customers coming back 
for more. Mr. and Mrs. Werner knew what it would take to build a small 
business in the food service industry and ensured that their values 
have been passed down to their children and grandchildren, who maintain 
these values today. Smitty's embraces the values of loyalty, service, 
and hard work and serves as an example for all entrepreneurs.
  With great pleasure, I extend my congratulations to the Werner family 
and all of the employees of Smitty's Pancake and Steak House. I wish 
you well as you continue serving the people of Idaho Falls, and I look 
forward to

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watching your continued growth and success.

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