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E. W. Kelley | |
|---|---|
| Born | Estel Wood Kelley March 24, 1917 Coatesville, Indiana, U.S. |
| Died | July 4, 2003 (aged 86) Plainfield, Indiana, U.S. |
| Resting place | Sharpsville Cemetery Sharpsville, Indiana, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman; franchisor |
| Years active | 1939–2000 |
| Known for | Purchasing, and "founding" Steak 'n Shake |
Estel Wood "Ed" Kelley (1917–2003) is considered the "modern-day" founder of Steak 'n Shake, a chain of sit-down, old-fashioned style restaurants known for their Steakburgers and hand-dipped milkshakes. In 1981, E. W. Kelley & Associates, a group led by E. W. Kelley, bought controlling interest in Steak 'n Shake, and grew the company from a small chain to the more than 450 location chain it is today (2006).