Owner shuts Felony Franks
Felony Franks, the prison themed hot dog restaurant staffed by ex- cons in west suburban Oak Park, may have served its final “Misdemean or Weiner.”
The restaurant’s owner, Deno Andrews, announced on Facebook Monday morning that “the cost of doing business” was too much to bear and led the hot dog joint to close down.
“Property taxes, new labor laws, and the cost of goods increased faster than the market was willing to pay for such increases,” wrote Andrews, who could not be reached for comment.
Andrews, whowas elected an Oak Park village trustee this year, said he wasn’t able to spend as much time at the restaurant as he did previously.
“The staff has done a great job at keeping it together in my absence. In reality, they did a stellar job in my absence. I have never seen such initiative and leadership in the absence of a leader,” he wrote.
Andrews, though, left the door open to another owner taking over.
“Iwould consider financing a sale of the business and/ or equipment,” he wrote. “We have a turn- key situation for someone who wants to hit the ground running. I believe the place could work if an owner was there more than I can be.”
Deno Andrews told the SunTimes in 2015 that he received no opposition in Oak Park to his restaurant, which has a mission to help ex- felons find work. The location has eight full- time and five part- time workers, all ex- cons.
On Monday, Andrews gave “A special shout out to all the residents of North Oak Park, who went above and beyond to support this concept. You all know who you are . . . Thankyou. Thankyou. Thankyou.”