The founder of Ryan’s and Western Family Steak House, Alvin McCall Jr., has died. A native of Pelzer, he was 89, according to his obituary.
McCall pioneered the mega bar buffet and created the casual steakhouse concept. His Western Family Steak House, founded in 1970, later became Quincy’s.
McCall was an entrepreneur. He worked in the mortuary business, owned a car dealership, became an accountant, founded his own construction company and finally, figuring people had to eat, began a restaurant company.
Western Family Steak House was sold in 1976 and Ryan’s was launched, with the first restaurant located at 2426 Laurens Road. It remains in operation.
McCall retired from the company in 1992.
New ownership took Ryan’s through two bankruptcies with Food Management Partners now operating the company. Ryan’s at 1501 W. Poinsett Street has since closed.
McCall was married to Wanda Ervin in 1952. She died in 2011. The couple had three children – Mark, Ponte Vedra, Fla., Jeff, Greenville, and Paula, Travelers Rest.
The Upstate chapter of the American Red Cross named its McCall campus after Wanda and Alvin McCall.