Charlie Brannon is ready for something new after 47 years in the food industry (2024)

ROCHESTER — After 47 years of ownership, Charlie Brannon has sold his shares of Charlie’s Eatery and Pub to his two other business partners.

Brannon first made his way to Rochester after graduating college in 1975. He began working for Bridgeman’s Ice Cream and stayed with them for 11 years. Since moving, he has been the proprietor or co-owner of six restaurants in the Rochester area.

“So I looked around, I was a management graduate,” said Brannon. “Bridgeman’s came along. I’d never been in the food business before and the reason I got into it was they offered me the most money. Simple, most of the salaries were like $550 but Bridgeman's has offered me $600 a month. That 50 bucks doesn't seem like a lot today, but back then it was. So that's how I got started.”

While with Bridgeman’s, Brannon held a multitude of management positions and responsibilities. When he finally left in 1986, he was a zone manager responsible for managing six operations.

That same year, Brannon became the proprietor of Crown Restaurant & Lounge, located in the Blondell Motel across from St. Marys. He changed the business's name to Charlie’s Eatery and Pub in 2012 and they moved out of the Blondell Motel and into their current location in the Hillcrest Shopping Center in 2016.

After 47 years, Brannon is finally ready to take a step back from ownership and enjoy the smaller things in life, like going golfing and sleeping in on the weekends.

“I got pretty good health, you know, and so it's just time,” said Brannon. “Now it's time, and people know that. It's time to enjoy some weekends, some time off, things like that. So it's not so structured, work and home.”

The food industry is wildly unpredictable. Brannon has had weekends off, but cannot remember the last time he had a whole month of free weekends. He is excited to travel more, golf and maybe even pick up a new hobby like pickleball.

“Restaurants are always a challenge,” said Brannon. “Every day there's a new challenge out there, whether it be food, whether it be people, whether it be a combination. You always looked at ways to improve. You're always thinking, whether it be at 2 o'clock in the morning or 10 in the morning. I always say it's a 24/7 job. As much as you might think you're off work from the restaurant, you just aren't.”

Despite leaving as an owner, Brannon is staying on as their public relations person. He will miss all the people he saw regularly, but he also knows this is not really goodbye.

“I had quite a history with different restaurants in town and every time we close one it was just a feeling of emptiness knowing I'm leaving friends,” Brannon said. “You never can take away friendship. You can take away your car, but friendship is always there. I feel that I'm open enough, I'm visible enough that I consider my customers as friends as well as they consider me as a friend.”

The restaurant isn’t the only place you'll find Brannon after he steps back. He is active in the community and wants to continue to contribute in any way he can.

“I think one of the biggest contributions to a business’s success is giving back to the community,” said Brannon. “From the standpoint of volunteering and being involved in groups, I’m still on the Rochesterfest board. The Jaycees are big for me … As a member of the community you have to give back to the community. They made me who I am, but yet without them I (would) not be where I am. So I always feel strongly about giving back to the community.”

This is the end of an era for Brannon. Despite being in one career for 47 years, he is excited to see what the future has in store.

“It's a life change,” said Brannon. “I guess we all have to change our lives. I never had a real job change. Basically, it was always restaurants, but it's always new, different restaurants. That was the only job change I ever had. So, I think I have enough to fill in the voids for now. I won't feel like I'm lost not coming in every day.”

Sara Guymon is a Post Bulletin business reporter. Guymon grew up in New Ulm, Minnesota. She graduated from New Ulm Public High School and went on to attend college at the University of Minnesota Duluth. While at UMD, Guymon pursued a major in journalism and a double minor in photography and international studies. Prior to coming to the Post Bulletin, she worked as a staff writer for the Brainerd Dispatch. There she covered the City of Baxter and business.