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Frank’s History

It was the year 1964 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, when Frank Dedman, Sr. using his experience gained at Hopper’s Drive-In, opened Blue Bird Drive-In on Airline Highway service fast food and homemade ice cream. Within two years he expanded to 3 locations.

In 1972 He decided to sell two locations and convert the drive-in business on Airline Highway to Frank’s Restaurant, serving only breakfast and lunch, as eating habits were changing and “drive-ins” were closing and going out of style. It truly became a “family run” operation with Carolyn, wife of Frank, Sr., as well as their four children, working daily to build the business.

Frank Dedman, Jr. began working in the restaurant washing dishes at the age of seven. After Graduation from high school in 1980, Frank Jr. made the decision to go into business with his father and mother. Frank’s reputation and business was growing steadily and they realized they had outgrown the old Blue Bird building and started searching for a new location; they found a lot across the highway from their old location. They built a rustic building with a wide front porch, with seating for 115 diners, which opened in 1984. They decided in 1990 to add a second dining room to the front of the building, which doubled seating to 230. At the same time the lot next door was acquired to provide the much needed additional parking.

Also, in 1991, Frank’s Smokehouse was born which has grown to catering their great food as well.

Frank Dedman, Sr. retired in 1999 leaving Frank Dedman, Jr. and his wife, Catherine, to continue service the legendary cuisine of “good old American food” with a “down-home country feeling.”

Frank’s newest adventure is the birth of their second location also located on Airline Highway but in Prairieville, Louisiana. Through the years the growth of Baton Rouge has reached the area of South Baton Rouge and surrounding areas. With this in mind, Frank Jr. and Cathy decided to purchase property in Prairieville to provide the good ole “neighborhood” feeling and great food to a growing area.

Frank’s Baton Rouge will continue to service this well-established area. Frank’s Prairieville will have a restaurant and catering hall (Cypress Hall) and outdoor pavilion on a three-acre tract of land.

Frank and Cathy’s children Jennifer, Frank III, and Ross, as well as Jennifer’s husband Brent Guerin, are working hard to be ready to provide the leadership needed to continue the traditions of “good food and good service” for which Frank’s is known.

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