Look for Der Red Roof: The Bagley Family’s Wienerschnitzel Legacy
Der Wienerschnitzel on 3500 South: The Bagley Family Legacy
The bright red A-frame on 3500 South has been a landmark in Granger—now West Valley City—since 1975, when Jack Bagley opened the area’s first Der Wienerschnitzel. Known for its playful slogan “Look for Der Red Roof,” the drive-in quickly became a favorite stop for hot dogs, chili cheese creations, and soft-serve cones.
Jack Bagley was already an experienced restaurateur by the time he brought Der Wienerschnitzel to Granger. Born in 1929 in Boring, Oregon, Jack grew up on his family’s farm and learned early lessons in work and leadership. After serving an LDS mission in the Eastern States from 1949 to 1951, he married Yolanda Vanek in the Salt Lake Temple and soon opened Jack’s Supermarket in Salt Lake City. His success in retail led him into the restaurant business, where he became one of Utah’s first Der Wienerschnitzel franchise owners, operating locations at 7th West and North Temple and 1406 South State Street before expanding westward into Granger in 1975.
The Granger location featured the chain’s signature A-frame building and bright red roof, a bold design that stood out along the developing 3500 South corridor. Jack’s emphasis on quality food, cheerful service, and family values helped make the restaurant a neighborhood favorite for decades.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Steve Bagley—who had grown up working in Jack’s restaurants since age eight—purchased the 3500 South Der Wienerschnitzel from his father in 1986. Under Steve’s leadership, the store flourished, becoming the highest-volume Der Wienerschnitzel in Utah within months. In 1987, the West Valley Chamber of Commerce recognized him as Businessman of the Month for his success and his commitment to excellent service and employee morale.
From Jack’s pioneering drive-ins of the 1960s and 70s to Steve’s record-setting achievements in the 1980s, the Bagley family left an enduring mark on Utah’s fast-food landscape. The little red A-frame on 3500 South still stands as a nostalgic reminder of their hard work, community spirit, and the generations who “looked for Der Red Roof.”
