Frozen burrito inventor Duane Roberts dead at 88 – Business News
Duane Roberts, the California entrepreneur credited with inventing the world’s first frozen burrito and later rescuing one of the state’s grandest motels, has died. He was 88.
His widow Kelly Roberts stated he handed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday whereas surrounded by household.
“I feel so blessed to have shared 35 wonderful years of marriage with Duane,” she wrote on Facebook.
Duane Roberts, the California entrepreneur credited with inventing the world’s first frozen burrito and later rescuing one of the state’s grandest motels, has died. He was 88.
“Together, we built a beautiful life working side by side, sharing in the joy, purpose, and love that defined our journey together. He was the most incredible husband and stepfather to Doug and Casey, and a loving grandfather whose wisdom and warmth touched every generation of our family.”
Roberts’ death was first reported by TMZ.
Born and raised in Riverside, Calif., Roberts began working in his household’s business, Butcher Boy Food Products, when he was 19.
In the mid-Nineteen Fifties, he noticed an alternative to capitalize on America’s growing urge for food for comfort food.
In 1956, Roberts created the primary frozen burrito, turning the Mexican food staple into a mass-market merchandise that may very well be saved, shipped and offered nationwide.
Widow Kelly Roberts stated the burrito maestro handed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday whereas surrounded by household. Los Angeles Times by way of Getty Images
The product helped remodel the frozen food industry and launched a now-ubiquitous merchandise to grocery store aisles.
Though Roberts by no means patented the thought, his (*88*) made him a fortune as Butcher Boy grew to generate $80 million in annual gross sales, producing more than a million burritos a day.
He offered the business in 1980.
By then, the frozen burrito had change into a staple of American freezers — a fast, low cost meal that bridged cultural and culinary traditions throughout many years.
Roberts later turned his entrepreneurial vitality towards real estate and hospitality.
Roberts is credited with inventing the frozen burrito within the Nineteen Fifties — incomes him a fortune. MediaNews Group by way of Getty Images
In 1992, he purchased the decaying Mission Inn Hotel & Spa in downtown Riverside, which had been closed for seven years and was in peril of demolition.
Over the subsequent a number of years, Roberts poured $55 million into restoring the 238-room Spanish Mission-style landmark, modernizing its facilities whereas preserving its ornate design.
The renovation revived Riverside’s historic core and cemented the Mission Inn’s fame as one of California’s most distinctive motels.
“His love for Riverside helped revitalize its historic core and strengthen the heart of the community,” Kelly Roberts stated in her Facebook post.
“He was deeply committed to helping those in need, and his compassion knew no bounds. The impact of his kindness and the organizations he championed will continue to inspire and uplift others for generations to come.”
