Funeral services will be held Monday (09.25) for former Charles City businessman and entrepreneur Robert “Bob†Thomson.Â
In 1958, Thomson purchased “Christie’s Variety†at 121 North Main Street in Charles City, but converted it to the Ben Franklin brand. In subsequent years, he purchased Ben Franklin operations in Clear Lake, Cresco, Osage and Spirit Lake.Â
In the early 1960s, Thomson and another Ben Franklin owner, Sam Walton of Arkansas, traveled to Ben Franklin headquarters in Chicago to discuss Walton’s ideas for changes to the traditional Ben Franklin business model. However, his son, State Representative Charley Thomson, says his dad and Ben Franklin missed an opportunity with their meeting with the future Walmart founder.
Still, Charley Thomson says his father was ahead of the times owning Ben Franklin stores.
Ben Franklin closed in Charles City in the early 90’s, but Bob Thomson would also turn the struggling chain into Iowa’s largest collection of Subway restaurants before pivoting again by developing Pancheros Mexican Grills in the Minneapolis market. He was working on opening his eighth Pancheros when he passed away.
A funeral Mass for Thomson will be held Monday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Charles City, with burial at Calvary Cemetery following. Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home in Charles City is in charge of arrangements.
Thomson passed away in Minneapolis on September 15th. He was 97.
*You can read more about Bob Thomson with his obituary
