Original Famous Dave’s Burns Down

The restaurant that launched the Famous Dave’s barbecue chain has been destroyed by fire in northern Wisconsin.

Dave Anderson opened his first barbecue place on the shore of Round Lake in Hayward in 1994. The franchise has grown to more than 190 restaurants.

CEO for the Minnetonka-based restaurant franchise, Ed Rensi, says the general manager of the Hayward restaurant saw a piece of equipment on fire when he showed up for work early Monday and called 911. Rensi tells the Star Tribune it was a very old building that has been destroyed.

He says Famous Dave’s will do everything it can to rebuild on the site.