Jensen was brought into Old Country Buffet by Roe Hatlen and C. Dennis Scott in 1983.
Jensen opened the first restaurant in St. Cloud, Minnesota in 1983.
In 1984, Jensen starting opening more locations in the Twin Cities Metropolitan area, eventually expanding its reach outside of Minnesota.
Jensen began opening its restaurants along the eastern seaboard, but disagreements began among company leadership whether to expand into the American South.
Disagreements within the company continued regarding southern United States expansion, and eventually led to Jensen and major investor and construction magnate Dermot Rowland to leave the company to start their own buffet chain, Homestyle Buffet.
Shortly after Jensen's departure, Forbes recognized Old Country Buffett as one of the 200 best small companies in the United States before becoming the largest buffet chain in the world posting revenues of $808.5 million and $868.9 million by the 1990s.
Jensen cited his "youth and entrepreneurial spirit" as reasons why he left the company so early in its development.
Jensen was brought into Old Country Buffet by Roe Hatlen and C. Dennis Scott in 1983. Jensen opened the first restaurant in St. Cloud, Minnesota in 1983. In 1984, Jensen starting opening more locations in the Twin Cities Metropolitan area, eventually expanding its reach outside of Minnesota. Jensen began opening its restaurants along the eastern seaboard, but disagreements began among company leadership whether to expand into the American South. Disagreements within the company continued regarding southern United States expansion, and eventually led to Jensen and major investor and construction magnate Dermot Rowland to leave the company to start their own buffet chain, Homestyle Buffet. Shortly after Jensen's departure, Forbes recognized Old Country Buffett as one of the 200 best small companies in the United States before becoming the largest buffet chain in the world posting revenues of $808.5 million and $868.9 million by the 1990s. Jensen cited his "youth and entrepreneurial spirit" as reasons why he left the company so early in its development.
Doron Jensen