April 12 at Lincoln South Rotary - Runza National

Runza is celebrating their 75 year anniversary this year.

 

Becky shared the history of Runza which started when Sally Everett's family  immigrated from Russia to Sutton, Nebraska. Runzas were not a new idea - they are a yeast dough pocket sandwich called bierock or krautburger. They were easy to make, worked well to take into the fields or put in a lunch pail. And, Sally made a great one!

 

When her brother returned from the war, having no job, Sally put her entrepreneurial mind to work. She and her brother opened the first Runza location in south Lincoln. It was a simple cinder block building next to a farm. It was determined that the location is in the parking lot of the current Good Life Fitness.

 

 

He purchased a truck, parked across from the Nebraska football stadium, and sold Runzas before games. It was so popular with fans that Bob Devaney invited him to come inside the stadium and be a part of the concessions. Today they are a staple at all University of Nebraska sporting activities.

  

Over time Runza tried a few different things - different types of venues and menus. They opened the Rock-n-Roll Runza in Downtown Lincoln and ventured into out with a new menu through Braeda. Overall their success lies with Runza and the typical drive-thru restaurant.

 

Becky showed a number of images of Runza over the year - showing the evolution but also demonstrating that they have a brand voice that is fun and playful. As she stated after all, they are selling a cabbage and beef sandwich - how unique is that?

 

There was a collaboration with the 402 Creamery in Lincoln to create a Runza Chili and Cinnamon Roll Ice Cream. They used the Runza spice mix from their chili but then developed the cinnamon roll flavors to best partner with that. They sold out of the ice cream the first day in 45 minutes. They took pre-orders for the next day as well as producing some for general sale. .Again the ice cream sold out in about 30 minutes.

 

Another product was a Runza Chili and Cinnamon Roll candle made by Wax Buffalo. There were 500 candles sold out in 20 days.

 

They added a regular merchandise line as have many restaurants. They will have a whimsical holiday sweater designed especially for their 75 year anniversary. They also other items such as caps and a plush Runza Rex.

 

Becky told us that the Runza Breakfast Sandwich that was available in Lincoln shortly after April 1 is not the first. She said that one of the locations in Hastings has had a breakfast Runza available and, for a while, one of the locations in Lincoln offered them. She did not say that they will become a permanent part of the menu or that hours would change. She shared that the breakfast Runza did not contain cabbage - it was made with eggs, ham, green pepper, onion, American cheese and cream cheese.The event was a kick-off for their Feed the Need month which they hold annually in April.

 

Today Runza has 90 locations. In a week they will open a location in Glenwood, Iowa. And, they will be in Ashland late in May.

 

 

Becky Perrett:

Director of Marketing, Runza National

• Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and Master of Arts in Marketing, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

• Junior Achievement classroom teacher.

• American Marketing Association-Lincoln Chapter member.

• Nebraska Women’s Leadership Network member.

• CEDARS Youth Services Board of Directors member.

• Alpha Xi Delta Women’s Fraternity National Council Vice President and Lincoln Alumnae Association member.

• Communications Council and Development Council member, First-Plymouth Congregational Church.

• Junior League of Lincoln member.

• Chair, Visitors Promotion Committee for Lancaster County.