Runza (restaurant)

Runza National, Inc.

Runza logo (2017–present)
Runza restaurant in Omaha, Nebraska, July 2022
Trade name	Runza
Company type	Private
Industry	Fast food
Founded	1949 (1949) in Lincoln, Nebraska
Founder	Sarah "Sally" Everett Alex Brening
Headquarters	Lincoln, Nebraska , U.S.
Number of locations	93 (as of September 2024)
Area served	Nebraska Iowa Colorado Kansas
Key people	Sally Everett, Alex Brening & Donald Everett, Sr.
Products	Runza sandwiches, chili and cinnamon rolls, hamburgers, chicken strips
Services	Fast food
Website	runza.com

Runza Restaurant—previously known as Runza Drive-Inn and Runza Hut—is a fast food chain based in Lincoln, Nebraska, recognized for its distinctive runza sandwich.

History

The brand was established in 1949 by entrepreneur Sally Everett. Expansion accelerated under her son Donald Everett Sr. starting in 1966, with franchising efforts launching in 1979. By November 2020, Runza had grown to encompass 86 outlets spread across Nebraska, Iowa, Colorado, and Kansas. The company continues as a family-run enterprise, now led by Sally’s grandson Donald Everett Jr. as President. Its menu features the signature runza sandwich alongside chili, cinnamon rolls—a regional favorite—as well as hamburgers and chicken strips.

During the late 1980s, the company sought to extend its reach beyond its traditional Midwest base. One notable venture involved discussions to export frozen sandwiches to the Soviet Ministry of Agriculture for possible distribution in Latvia; however, political upheaval prevented this international expansion. Within the United States, efforts to establish a presence in locations such as Las Vegas and Illinois malls through food court outlets were relatively brief due to insufficient customer demand.

Runza’s strategy centers on cultivating strong regional brand loyalty and distinguishing itself within the fast food sector by offering unique menu items.

Promotions

Runza serves as a concessionaire at Memorial Stadium, home field of the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team. In 2017, the Omaha Storm Chasers, Omaha’s Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals Major League Baseball club, temporarily adopted the name "Omaha Runzas" as part of a promotional partnership. Their uniforms showcased a cartoon depiction of a runza sandwich and incorporated the chain’s signature green and yellow colors. From 1991 until 2004, Runza operated a 1950s-themed Rock n' Roll Runza venue in downtown Lincoln that featured vintage cars, memorabilia, and roller-skating carhops.

Nebraska Union controversy

The Runza location inside the Nebraska Union closed its doors in 2018 after serving patrons for ten years. The contract was awarded instead to a joint venture between two other vendors (Steak 'n Shake and Chick-fil-A franchisees). This decision provoked significant backlash from students who regarded Runza as an emblematic Nebraskan brand deserving continued presence at the university’s primary campus.