December 18, 2019 at 4:32 p.m.
Rhinelander Pizza Ranch restaurant under new management
Rhinelander Pizza Ranch restaurant under new management
Craig Ferger said he was the vice president of the store before Lynne Larsen was trained to take over as general manager.
"When we had a management change, I took over as GM and president," Ferger said. "Now Lynne is the GM. We own three Pizza Ranches, so I'm the district manager for those three."
In addition to Rhinelander, the partners and their investment group own a Pizza Ranch restaurant in Weston. A third restaurant is scheduled to open in La Crosse Feb. 17.
Ferger said one thing he appreciates about the Pizza Ranch brand is its values.
"They're a Christian organization, that was a big one," he said. "They helped us immensely in getting the first one open, as far as financially goes."
The Weston restaurant opened Sept. 15, 2014 and the Rhinelander location opened Oct. 15, 2018.
"Weston's (store) has been very blessed, I still spend 50 hours a week in Weston," Ferger said. "I welded for 38 years for the same company, and she (Nancy) was an insurance agent for 32 years at the same company. So this is kind of our retirement baby."
Ferger said the restaurant's practice of sending pizzas to the scene of fires, to help nourish firefighters, will continue.
"I'm a volunteer firefighter as well," Larsen said.
In addition to being a volunteer firefighter, Larsen volunteers with area schools, and is a "very good partner of the homeless shelter," as well, Ferger noted.
"Our giving tree right now is all set up to donate things back to customers who may be in need," Larsen said. "So she is very involved in the community."
Larsen started working with the Fergers in July 2018, training at the Weston store to be the assistant general manager in Rhinelander. She has since completed training to be the general manager.
Nancy Ferger said the Rhinelander operation may have stumbled a little under the previous manager, and some potential customers wouldn't go there because of that. But those concerns have been addressed.
"We want people to know that Lynn is here, she is very well known in the area, she does a lot of good for everybody," Larsen said. "Craig and I are behind that 100 percent."
As for the decision to open a third store in La Crosse, Craig Ferger said it was a matter of drive time from their home.
"We live 2 hours and 15 minutes south of here, we live in Big Flats, Wis.," Craig Ferger said. "The Weston store is an hour and 15 minutes away and La Crosse is also an hour and 15 minutes away," Nancy added.
With Larsen in place, the Fergers said they expect to spend one or two days a week at the Rhinelander location.
Jamie Taylor may be reached via email at [email protected].
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