Frank Cunetto, owner of Carl’s Drive-In ( 9033 Manchester Road) for 30 years has sold the business, according to St. Louis Magazine. The sale was finalized March 23.
The new owner is Mike Franklin, longtime customer and owner of a local leasing company and two manufacturing companies. Franklin and Cunetto started talking about the deal about a year and a half ago.
Franklin plans to be active at Carl’s. He worked at a drive-in near Belleville when he was in high school, and owned bars in the Kansas City area when he was in his 20s.
Nothing will change at Carl’s, Franklin told St. Louis Magazine. “There’s continuity and a flawless reputation, a culture and quality that Frank has nurtured over the years,” he said. The existing employees will stay.
Read the full article in St. Louis Magazine.
What a terrific institution of eating & enjoying those tasty burgers all these years. I remember all the wonderful people you meet while you are there, especially while in my senior year in high school. Keep up the great work, Mike, that Frank has worked so hard to keep each customer coming back, time, after time, after time !!
I have eaten there most of my life. Will not change now.
Long live Carl’s.
Frank, what a great 30 years. My dad brought me to Carl’s for my first time and I brought my boys to Carl’s for their first time. What a wonderful St. Louis tradition. All the BEST to Mike. We are glad it has been passed to someone that understands what a special place Carl’s is. See yo soon!