"Schrafft's is my kind of place...
but everybody says that."
Andy Warhol
From candy to legendary
Frank G. Shattuck and his sisters Katherine and Jane purchased Schrafft’s in 1911 from William F. Schrafft, who over 50 years had developed a successful candy and chocolate business. Under the Shattuck leadership, Schrafft’s grew to a 50-unit restaurant collection that specialized in professionalized American home baking and cooking in dazzling environments. Moreover, these Shattuck family recipes called for the best local, seasonal and familiar fare. This galvanizing spirit passed down generationally saw Schrafft’s become a powerhouse in restaurants, mixology, confections, baked goods, ice cream, coffee, tea, grocery, catering and food service in NYC and, at its height, employed 7000 people. It succeeded so well that Schrafft’s represented the very best American cuisine in every International Exposition and World’s Fair.
A Pause in the legacy
The final chapter of the story started with great expectations when Schrafft’s merged in 1968 with PET, Inc., a conglomerate that wanted to add F&B to their growing business, and looked to Morgan Shattuck, with his formidable reputation and prospering enterprise to lead that new division and take a seat on the holding company board. Tragically, Shattuck died at age 52 shortly after the merger was completed and no replacement was found who understood the nuances of this beloved brand and its ambitions in hospitality. By the mid-1980s, Schrafft’s had effectively ceased operation, to the dismay of all who loved it. Schrafft’s is now back in family hands, having been reacquired, and is now reenergized with the same affection and respect for a customer who, like us, loves great food and superlative service.
