The Col. Sanders of Metro Detroit, John Sobeck, Dies at 92

Facebook photo

John Sobeck, 92, who founded Chicken Shack on 11 Mile Road in Royal Oak in 1956, along with his wife Iola, only to see the franchise grow to 20 outlets, died on Saturday after a five-month battle with cancer, the family announced on Facebook and the company website. 

A World War II veteran, Sobeck, who was like the Col. Sanders of Metro Detroit, died surrounded by his family at his home in Berkley, the announcement said. He had been married for 69 years.

The story goes that Sobeck returned from the war in 1946 and started working at a tool and die shop, according to the company website. He rented a room from the Jesswein family in Madison Heights, and he began dating one of the daughters, Iola, who was working as a secretary. In 1947, they married.

Sobeck saw co-workers getting laid off at the factory, and wanted to become self-employed. He got into the frozen custard business in Lexington, Mich. While successful, he wanted a year round business.

So on June 6, 1956 Sobeck and his wife, Iola, opened the first Chicken Shack in Royal Oak.

Over the years, they opened up more shops, peddling food that included some of his secret recipes for marinades and sauces.

The company website says that today "there are four generations of Sobeck’s working to keep Chicken Shack the best tasting food in America and to carry out John and Iola’s legacy of great customer service."

The family statement on Saturday said:

John’s passing will be a great loss, not only for his family, but for all the lives he touched in the community. He was a parishioner of National Shrine of The Little Flower Basilica and supported the church and its leaders in their causes. John also greatly influenced many of the past and present employees of Chicken Shack instilling in them a great work ethic and business foundation that has carried many of them to success today. Customers, vendors and all who met John will feel the loss of his kind spirit and endless generosity.

Sobeck is survived by his wife, Iola; his four children, four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. 

Visitation and funderal arrangements are as follows:

Monday, August 15th
Visitation: 2-8 pm with a prayer service at 7pm
A.J. Desmond and Sons Funeral Home
32515 Woodward Ave.
Royal Oak 48073

Tuesday, August 16th
Funeral: National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica
2100 Twelve Mile Rd.
Royal Oak, MI 48073
Lying in State in St.Therese Chapel at Mass at 10:30 a.m.