The Powers family, four brothers: Leo, Clell, Harold "Jim", and Dale Powers opened their first restaurant in Dearborn, Michigan in 1935. By 1938 Dale Powers had moved to Port Huron, Michigan and opened a second Powers. Leo moved back to Northeast Indiana where the brothers grew up, and in 1940 opened the Fort Wayne location. In 1947, Leo opened a second Fort Wayne store in an industrial area. In 1980, Leo's son Rolin purchased the business, and Rolin opened a third location on a busy commercial strip in 1983. That store closed in 1989, at which time Rolin was diagnosed with cancer. Rolin died in 1990, and in 2004 the second location closed, leaving the iconic downtown restaurant as the only surviving Powers Hamburgers. The business was sold outside the family in 1999 to Mike Hall. Copied from Powers Hamburgers: A Fort Wayne, Indiana, Treasure (Just Like Major Frank Burns) with photos published August 27, 2008 on SeriousEats.com now only on the Internet Archive Wayback Machine .
The Powers' Family History by Don Henderson has many photographs but never mentions Fort Wayne. One of their photos in shown on the October 3, 2015 show Greensburg and Decatur County history under a subheading labeled Roadtrip - Historic eateries in Fort Wayne on the Archives of Hoosier History Live podcast on Saturdays, noon to 1 p.m. ET on WICR 88.7 FM . The photo above is captioned: Powers Hamburgers has operated in Fort Wayne, Ind. since 1940. Shown here are Big Daddy, Mamma Powers and Auntie Cozette. This same photo was posted April 19, 2024 on True Fort Wayne Indiana History on Facebook.
Here's a cartoon I did that is dedicated to all my downtown worker friends in Fort Wayne :)
We’re often told to “appreciate the little things.” It’s good advice in architecture, too, where even small landmarks offer history worth noting. Join us this month as we explore several places around Indiana where little goes a long way.
This year, George Motz, author of Hamburger America and a filmmaker The New York Times called the “foremost authority on hamburgers,” named Fort Wayne’s Powers Hamburgers as one of his top five places in the country to get a classic hamburger made just as they were a century ago. Locals, who have been flocking to the small Art Deco building on Harrison Street since 1940, would agree.
The Powers brothers—Leo, Clell, Harold, and Dale—started Powers Hamburgers in 1935 in Dearborn, Michigan, eventually expanding their burger dynasty into Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. Though Fort Wayne once boasted three locations, today only the original 20-seat diner started by Leo Powers remains, the only restaurant from the original enterprise to still carry the Powers name. Diners sit at a small wrap-around counter with padded stools and order slider-style burgers from menu on the wall above.
Originally sold for a nickel apiece, today burgers sold at Powers are still light on the wallet: single burgers cost $1.60, and doubles cost $2.40. “It’s a good quality product at a good quality price,” says owner Michael Hall, who purchased the business from the Powers family in 1999. The ground beef is locally sourced from Fort Wayne’s Tim Didier Meats, and the burgers’ small size encourages most patrons to order three or four. : Lee Lewellen
Throwback Thursday: A Snapshot from the Late 1960s
Take a step back in time with this incredible photo of Marilyn Powers and Loren Powers, son of Leo Powers—the original mastermind behind Powers Hamburgers!
Check out those retro ketchup and mustard bottles, the iconic "ketchup red" counters, and a couple boxes of donuts from New Haven Bakery—a true time capsule of Fort Wayne's culinary past.
What else do you notice or remember from this time?
We’re so proud to be part of this historic landmark and this amazing community. From the 1930s to now, Powers Hamburgers has been serving up delicious memories. Who knows what the 2060s will look like for us, but one thing’s for sure: we’ll keep the tradition alive!
A legendary eatery in The Fort is now up for sale. A listing from NAI Hanning & Bean shows the asking price for Powers Hamburgers is $695,000. For over 80 years, Powers has been serving up their beloved sliders to customers in downtown Fort Wayne who pop in for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The restaurant makes fresh sliders with beef from Tim Didier Meats with grilled onions and cheese on a dinner roll. The diner has been a fan-favorite in downtown Fort Wayne since 1940, located off South Harrison Street. 21Alive’s Julian Teekaram visited the restaurant for a feature back in 2019, you can watch it below.
Salvatori’s Hospitality group acquires historic Powers Hamburgers in downtown Fort Wayne!
Powers has a rich history dating back to the1940’s and is nationally known for their signature slider hamburger which has had guests frequenting the restaurant for over 80 years! Founded by the Powers Brothers, this iconic restaurant has been a mainstay downtown! Mike and Gloria acquired Powers in 1999 and have continued the Powers legacy for the past 25 years!
Mike and Gloria Hall said, “We’re honored to have served the community for over 25 years as owners of Powers Hamburgers. We’re proud of the legacy we’ve built and excited to pass the torch to Salvatori’s Hospitality Group and Alex Richardson. We are glad we were able to train them for several weeks to continue the same quality food the community craves. We know they’ll not only continue Powers’ tradition for years to come, but also preserve it as a historic landmark.”
Salvatori’s, along with Managing Partner Alex Richardson, intends to continue to build upon the rich history of Powers and plans to continue to offer the same great Powers experience for generations to come!
“We are beyond humbled and incredibly excited Mike and Gloria have chosen us to carry on the legacy of Powers Hamburgers in Fort Wayne! We will continue to focus on quality, service, and engaging with the community as we strive to uphold the tradition of excellence that has defined Powers hamburgers for the past 84 years! We look forward to serving this community for many generations to come!” said Alex Richardson.
Powers will be closed briefly during the transition to staff and train, but customers are encouraged to visit and share in the excitement of this new chapter in the restaurant’s history in the coming weeks! Follow Powers on Facebook for more updates and information
We're proud to announce that we'll continue serving the same high-quality, fresh Didier Meats you've loved for over 60 years! Didier Meats have been a staple in our burgers since the beginning, and we're committed to using the freshest ingredients to create the delicious classics you know and crave.
Fun fact: Didier Meats has supplied Powers Hamburgers with over 5 million pounds of beef! That's a lot of delicious sliders.
Stop by Powers Hamburgers soon and taste the difference Didier Meats make!
We are thankful for the opportunity to learn from Elten and Carolyn Powers, who shared the rich history of the Powers' family. We are devoted to honoring their legacy as we aim to make the restaurant a continued success for generations to come.
Thank you for taking the time and sharing your stories.
A return to the traditional bun that Powers Hamburgers used for nearly 80 years became a priority to us when we began to...
A return to the traditional bun that Powers Hamburgers used for nearly 80 years became a priority to us when we began to explore the feedback about what makes Powers unique. The overwhelming feedback that this bun is part of the magic of our sliders that so many people crave.
Thank you to Aunt Millie's for partnering with us to help make this happen and we look forward to working with you for decades to come. This is part of our commitment to quality products and our goal to stay true to traditions.
Please be sure to follow us in order to get the latest news for upcoming re-opening dates and hours. Don't miss an update!
🍔 **Exciting News! We're Re-Opening April 23rd with Extended Hours!** 🍔 We're thrilled to announce that Powers...
**Exciting News! We're Re-Opening April 23rd with Extended Hours!**
We're thrilled to announce that Powers Hamburgers will be reopening Tuesday, April 23rd, with expanded hours to serve you better! Here's our updated schedule:
**Exciting News! Online Ordering Now Available at Powers Hamburgers!**
Hungry for a taste of Powers Hamburgers and want to skip the wait? We've got you covered! We're thrilled to announce that online ordering is now available at Powers Hamburgers, hold your place in line before you even leave your door!
Whether you're craving our iconic sliders for lunch, dinner, or a late-night snack, ordering is now easier than ever. Simply visit our website, browse our mouthwatering menu, and place your order from the comfort of your own home.
Tag your friends and spread the word—online ordering at Powers Hamburgers is officially here!
Happy ordering,
The Powers Hamburgers Team
It's a beautiful day to enjoy a Powers burger! Our classic burger is waiting for you—simple, delicious, and just what you need. We hope to see you today! 🍔☀️ #PowersBurgers #Powers #GreatDay
It's a beautiful day to enjoy a Powers burger! Our classic burger is waiting for you—simple, delicious, and just what you need. We hope to see you today! #PowersBurgers#Powers#GreatDay
Skip the chocolates and the flowers for Mom this year. Give her what she really wants.... Onions. Happy Mother's day to all our Mom's and the Mom's that you love! See you tomorrow, we're open on Mondays!
Next time you stop in, plan to take a few moments to check out the history and Powers' memorabilia! Some photos of historic downtown Fort Wayne and the story of Powers' Hamburgers.
We love when we get to see a new historic photo of the building inside or out! Noting the differences in the surroundings and environment then and now is thought-provoking. What do you find interesting in the 50 year old photo?
If you find yourself with extra time to dig through your old albums or shoeboxes of photos and happen to stumble upon a photo of Powers, we would be excited to see it!
Source for this one: Michael Martone from the cover of *At A Loss".
🍔🗓️Two weeks until our slider eating competition!🗓️🍔 Who will be the winner? We still have one spot open! Look for more information this week as we introduce our competitors for this fun event!
We are deeply saddened to inform you that a fire has occurred at our beloved Powers Hamburgers. Our hearts are heavy, but we are immensely grateful that no one was hurt.
We understand how much Powers means to our community, and we are committed to rebuilding and coming back stronger than ever. Restoration work will begin soon, and we will keep you updated every step of the way.
Thank you for your unwavering support and patience during this challenging time. We look forward to welcoming you back with open arms and delicious burgers once we’ve completed the restoration.
With heartfelt gratitude,
The Powers Hamburgers Team
💪🙌Update on Powers Hamburgers: Over the past 48 hours, we’ve been working closely with inspectors and are preparing to...
Over the past 48 hours, we’ve been working closely with inspectors and are preparing to begin the restoration work on our beloved Powers Hamburgers. We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support and well-wishes we’ve received from all of you.
As we reflect on these recent events, we are reminded of the importance of seizing every moment. Many of you have expressed how much you wanted to visit, and how you now regret not doing so sooner. In all of life, we encourage you to take advantage of what's there when you have it- visit with friends, give an extra hug to loved ones, take the trip, and, definitely, order the cake. When we reopen, we hope you’ll visit us often and take full advantage of the joy and memories Powers Hamburgers can bring.THE TIME IS NOW!
Your continued support and patience mean the world to us. We look forward to welcoming you back with open arms and delicious food as soon as we can.
Thank you for being a part of our Powers family.
With gratitude,
The Powers Hamburgers Team
Congratulations to King Alex!!! After winning our Coney Dog eating contest in 2014, eating 19 Coneys in 10 Minutes…TEN...
Congratulations to King Alex!!! After winning our Coney Dog eating contest in 2014, eating 19 Coneys in 10 Minutes…TEN years later he is crowned the champion of the Inaugural Powers Hamburgers slider eating competition eating 20 in 10 minutes!!!
The wait is over! After months of hard work and restoration, we are THRILLED to announce that Powers Hamburgers will officially reopen its doors at our original location, 1402 S Harrison St, on October 16th at 10AM!
Come celebrate with us, grab your favorite burgers, fries, and chili, and be part of this exciting new chapter. Thank you all for your unwavering support—we can't wait to see you back where it all began! #PowersStrong
Mark your calendars, spread the word, and we’ll see you soon!
🚨 Exciting Construction Update! 🚨 The floors are tiled, the countertops are set, and we’re getting SO CLOSE! But...
The floors are tiled, the countertops are set, and we’re getting SO CLOSE! But wait... something’s missing from the front of the building. Can you spot it?
Things are heating up as we move into the final stretch—keep your eyes peeled, because we're not done yet!
🎉🏆 We Did It, Powers Fans!🏆🎉 We're beyond thrilled to announce that Powers Hamburgers has been named the Best Burger...
We're beyond thrilled to announce that Powers Hamburgers has been named the Best Burger and Best Local Historical Landmark in the Fort Wayne Newspapers: Readers Choice Awards!
This honor means the world to us, and we owe it all to YOU—our loyal customers and community—who have supported us for generations.
Come celebrate with us—there’s no better time to grab a burger! All online orders currently also earning entries for a Powers Prize Pack as part of our celebration:
🚨 Big News! Our Neon Sign is Back!🚨 For decades, the Powers Hamburgers neon sign was a beacon, guiding hungry travelers...
For decades, the Powers Hamburgers neon sign was a beacon, guiding hungry travelers fresh off the train no matter the hour for a delicious meal. Your great grandparents and grandparents were welcomed by this beautiful neon sign and alluring smells of Powers Hamburgers!
It hasn’t shone in years, but we are thrilled to announce that our iconic sign has been restored and is now lit up once again!
A symbol of tradition, history, and amazing burgers, it’s ready to invite hungry patrons for generations to come.
Come see the glow, grab a bite, and be part of this exciting new chapter in Powers' history.
Who's coming for the grand opening next week?
When Powers Hamburgers came to Fort Wayne, Leo put the location right next to the train station hoping it would be a...
When Powers Hamburgers came to Fort Wayne, Leo put the location right next to the train station hoping it would be a success. 9 decades later, I think it's safe to say he made a great decision.
As passenger high speed trains become a discussion and the potential of Fort Wayne being a pivotal cross road, you can help show your support by showing up to events like this.
Come out to support our city!
Introducing the ultimate holiday gift for every Powers fan: our Onion Shaped, Powers Cheeseburger Scented Candle!...
Introducing the ultimate holiday gift for every Powers fan: our Onion Shaped, Powers Cheeseburger Scented Candle!
Imagine your home filled with the mouthwatering aroma of our iconic Powers cheeseburgers, paired with the charm of an onion-shaped design. It's quirky, fun, and the perfect way to bring a piece of Powers into your space.
Get yours while supplies last—because this is one candle you'll actually want to burn!
Would you gift this to a Powers lover, or keep it all for yourself? Let us know below!
“We’ve continued to talk with the Powers family throughout this process. What would the business look like today if the...
“We’ve continued to talk with the Powers family throughout this process. What would the business look like today if the Powers family were still running it? If Leo Powers was still there, if Roland was still here to run things, what would it look like? I think that’s kind of been our mindset. We don’t want to change recipes. We have the same suppliers. We want to be true to what the menu and the product has been.”
For over 60 years, we’ve proudly partnered with Didier Meats right here in Fort Wayne to bring you the highest quality meats. It’s this dedication to excellence and local tradition that makes a Powers Hamburger unlike any other.
Come taste the difference this week and experience the flavor that’s been loved for generations!
: Lee Lewellen
—a true time capsule of Fort Wayne's culinary past.
**Opening Hours:**
**Exciting News! Introducing "Powers After Hours"** 
The first 25 customers after 8:00 PM on Tuesday will receive a FREE Powers Hamburgers coffee mug! 
**New Late Night Hours:**
**Exciting News! Online Ordering Now Available at Powers Hamburgers!** 
**Order Online:** https://shorturl.at/gmG47
#PowersBurgers #Powers #GreatDay
Two weeks until our slider eating competition!
A Message from Powers Hamburgers 
Update on Powers Hamburgers:
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT 
Can you spot it?
We Did It, Powers Fans!
Thank you, Fort Wayne! 
