KENOSHA, Wis. — One of Kenosha’s most recognizable restaurants is getting new ownership, as Pablo and Diana Escribano prepare to take the reins of Franks Diner, America’s oldest continuously operating lunch-car diner. The ownership transfer is expected to become official at the end of July, ending nearly 17 years of ownership by Kevin Ervin and Julie Rittmiller.
For the Escribanos, the purchase is about far more than buying a restaurant. It’s about preserving a Kenosha institution that has served generations of families since 1926 while ensuring that customers continue to find the same food, atmosphere and traditions that have made Franks famous.
Pablo is hardly a newcomer to Franks. After spending more than three years working alongside the restaurant’s staff, he said he developed a deep appreciation for what makes the diner special and eventually realized he wanted to become its next caretaker.
“I honestly had the desire to be the next caretaker of the diner early on when I started working there,” Pablo said in an interview with Visit Kenosha. He explained that after leaving a decades-long career in information technology, the opportunity to purchase Franks slowly evolved from casual conversations into a serious business plan.
Pablo said his goal isn’t to reinvent Franks. In fact, he repeatedly emphasized that customers should expect virtually no changes. “NO CHANGES!” he said when asked what loyal customers should expect. “Staff will remain the same.” He also joked that Franks’ homemade bread, cinnamon rolls and famous Garbage Plate aren’t going anywhere.
He said one comment from a longtime customer perfectly captured his philosophy. “Don’t even dust the shelves.” That simple remark, Pablo said, reflects his commitment to protecting the character of the diner rather than changing it.
Pablo credits his wife, Diana, as an equal partner in taking on the responsibility of preserving one of Kenosha’s best-known landmarks. Together, they say they hope to build upon Franks’ century-long history while keeping the atmosphere that has made it a destination for both locals and visitors.
Before joining Franks, Pablo spent more than 30 years in corporate information technology, including time at UW-Parkside. He said he first came to Kenosha through his wife’s family and eventually realized the community had become home. He said raising his family here—and later returning after a brief move to North Carolina—cemented his love for the city.
The Escribanos will become just the sixth owners in Franks’ 100-year history and only the third ownership group outside the Franks family.
The outgoing owners, Kevin Ervin and Julie Rittmiller, announced they are stepping away after nearly 17 years, saying it was simply time to pass the torch to the next generation. In a statement released through Visit Kenosha, Ervin said he believes Pablo and Diana have “the right attitude, energy, and personality” to continue the restaurant’s legacy.
Franks Diner opened in 1926 after being transported to Kenosha by rail and hauled into place by six horses. The historic lunch-car diner has become one of the city’s signature attractions, drawing visitors from across the country while remaining a favorite breakfast stop for generations of Kenosha residents.
