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Ponderosa Steakhouse co-founder dies

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By Jennie Szink, Staff Writer Updated 4:31 PM Tuesday, March 10, 2009

John A. "Jack" Roschman, co-founder of Ponderosa Steakhouse and founder of the Rax Roast Beef chain that began in Springfield, died Thursday after a long battle with Alzheimer's. He was 80.

Roschman landed in Ohio after marketing his first restaurant chain the Burger Chef around the country and secured developing it in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. By 1969, he had developed about 150 Burger Chefs and created Jax Roast Beef in Springfield, which later changed to Rax. It was Roschman's innovative drive that inspired McDonald's founder Ray Kroc to say "Jack is the best fast food man in the world."

By the end of Roschman's career he had opened 2,000 restaurants and became heavily involved in Florida real estate. His sons took an interest in his restaurant business, building and opening more than 200 themselves. Roschman frequently said, "That sounds like a good idea, we should do it."

Roschman is survived by his wife Betty; son Jeff and wife Kerry Anne; son Robert and wife Lorrie and his grandchildren Taylor, Logan, Caroline and Virginia. In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to 4Kids of South Florida: 2401 W. Cypress Creek Road, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 33309.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2000 or jszink@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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