Local Steak 'n Shake patriarch dies

“The very first year, one restaurant made about $2,300, and the other lost about $900,” said Gary Leonard, Herb's son. “He thought Springfield had the most opportunity.”

He was right.

In 18 months, Herb Leonard netted a profit on both restaurants, and the franchise now boasts five Springfield locations, run by Gary Leonard.

Herb Leonard, local restaurant owner and community supporter, died Jan. 29 from a head injury sustained in a fall on Jan. 1. He was 90.

When he entered the work force during the Great Depression, it didn't take too long for Herb Leonard to find success as a businessman. He dabbled in farming and the oil business but decided neither was right for him. When Gus Belt, owner of the Goal Post restaurant chain, noticed Leonard's work ethic, he offered him a chance to run a location in Illinois.

The chain later became known as Steak 'n Shake, and as Belt's franchise gained ground, so did Leonard's restaurant. His success caught the eyes of executives, who promoted him to division manager of Illinois and Indiana and, later, to the position of Steak 'n Shake vice president of operations.

In 1973, Herb Leonard was given the chance to purchase Steak 'n Shake restaurants in either Daytona Beach, Fla., or Springfield, or he could open a store in a new area. His decision to tackle Springfield led to his lifelong love of the city, apparent in his dedication to civic organizations and to his customers.

Leonard held leadership positions with the Rotary Club, the Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.

He also was a past president of Springfield/Branson Restaurant Association.

In 1988, he was inducted into the Missouri Restaurant Association Hall of Fame, and he later was named Restaurateur of the Year.

In the last several decades, Steak 'n Shake restaurants in Springfield became the source of public opinion, said chamber President Jim Anderson, who gave the eulogy at Leonard's funeral. Customers often stopped by just to chat with Herb Leonard and Gary Leonard, who filled his father's business shoes in 1990, and both listened to their customers.

“They could tell you what was on people's minds, because they were in touch with their customers,” Anderson said. “They were the pulse of the community.”

Gary Leonard's business philosophy is shaped much like his father's, he said, as he puts his emphasis on customer relations, too.

“He was an incredible people person, always active and visiting with his guests,” Leonard said. “He made people better by acquaintance.”

Still, Herb Leonard's greatest devotion was to his family, Anderson said. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Melba, two children and their spouses, three grandchildren and a sister.[[In-content Ad]]