History of Marie Callender's in Timeline

Marie Callender's is an American restaurant chain headquartered in Mission Viejo, California. As of September 2025, it operates 23 locations across California, Idaho, Nevada, and Utah. The chain is known for its homestyle meals and baked goods.

1900: Restaurant Decor Theme

The interiors of the chain's earlier restaurants are decorated with antiques circa 1900, providing a theme that is reminiscent of Victorian England as well as early United States.

1907: Birth Year of Marie and Cal Callender

In 1907, both Marie Callender and her husband Cal Warren Callender were born.

September 27, 1927: Donald W. Callender Born

On September 27, 1927, Donald W. Callender, the co-founder of the Marie Callender's chain of restaurants, was born.

1945: Don Callender's High School Graduation

In 1945, Don Callender graduated from Long Beach Poly High School and joined the Merchant Marine for a brief tour at the end of World War II.

1948: Callenders Establish Wholesale Bakery

In 1948, Marie Callender and her husband Cal sold their family car and used the money to set up a wholesale bakery with their son Don.

1948: Don Callender expands pie business

In 1948, twenty-one year old Don Callender expanded the family business by selling pies to restaurants in Long Beach and Orange County.

1951: Callender Family Home Purchase

In 1951, the Callender family purchased a home on Gondar Ave. in the Plaza area of Long Beach, where they did their baking.

1964: First Franchisee Opening

In 1964, the first Marie Callender's franchisee opened in Orange.

1964: First Official Location Opened

In 1964, the first official Marie Callender's location was opened.

1969: Expansion Outside California

In 1969, Marie Callender's expanded to 12 more locations and opened its first locations outside of California in Las Vegas and Houston.

1981: Houston Location Closed

In 1981, the Houston Marie Callender's location closed down.

1984: Death of Cal Warren Callender

Cal Warren Callender, husband of Marie Callender, passed away in 1984.

1986: Sale of Company to Ramada

In 1986, Callender sold the company to Ramada for a reported $80 million, growing the chain to 120 locations nationwide.

1986: Sale to Ramada Inn

In 1986, the Marie Callender's restaurant chain was sold to Ramada Inn.

1990: Sale to Wilshire Restaurant Group

In 1990, Marie Callender's was sold to Wilshire Restaurant Group, Inc.

1994: Sale to ConAgra Foods

In 1994, various product licenses for Marie Callender's shelf-stable and frozen entrees and sides were included in a sale to ConAgra Foods for $140 million.

1995: Death of Marie Callender

Marie Callender passed away in 1995.

1996: Planned Expansion in Houston

In 1996, the company announced plans to open three new restaurants in the Houston area.

1997: Acquisition of East Side Mario's

In 1997, Marie Callender's acquired the East Side Mario's restaurant chain from PepsiCo.

1999: Purchase by Castle Harlan Affiliate

In 1999, Marie Callender Pie Shops, Inc. was purchased from Saunders Karp & Megrue (SKM) by an affiliate of Castle Harlan.

2000: Divestiture of East Side Mario's

In 2000, Marie Callender's no longer owned the East Side Mario's restaurant chain.

2001: Houston Locations Closed Permanently

In 2001, all three remaining Marie Callender's locations in Houston closed down due to being unprofitable.

2006: Merger with Perkins Restaurant & Bakery

In 2006, Castle Harlan merged Marie Callender's with Perkins Restaurant & Bakery, creating Perkins & Marie Callender's Inc. (PMCI).

January 7, 2009: Death of Don Callender

On January 7, 2009, Don Callender, the co-founder of Marie Callender's, passed away due to complications from a head trauma sustained in a fall.

2009: Don Callender's Death

In 2009, Don Callender died at age 81 at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach, due to complications resulting from head trauma sustained during a fall at his home over a year earlier.

2010: Product Recall

In 2010, Marie Callender's cheesy chicken & rice meal was pulled due to a salmonella outbreak.

June 13, 2011: Store Closures and Bankruptcy Restructuring

On June 13, 2011, 58 units were closed, including 31 Marie Callender's and 27 Perkins', due to bankruptcy restructuring. During bankruptcy, the Marie Callender's brand was sold to ConAgra for US$57.5 million.

August 5, 2019: Store Closures and Bankruptcy Filing

On August 5, 2019, 29 Marie Callender's stores were closed and the holding company for Perkins and Marie Callender's filed for bankruptcy. Marie Callender's was then sold to Elite Restaurant Group for US$1.75 million.