Estel Wood "Ed" Kelley (1917–2003) is considered the "modern-day" founder of Steak 'n Shake, a chain of sit-down, old-fashioned style restaurants known for their Steakburgers and hand-dipped milkshakes. In 1981, E. W. Kelley & Associates, a group led by E. W. Kelley, bought controlling interest in Steak 'n Shake, and grew the company from a small chain to the more than 450 location chain it is today (2006).
Originally from Sharpsville, Indiana, Kelley attended Indiana University's (IU) School of Business in the 1930s. While at IU, he founded the Accounting Club, chaired IU Sing, was president of the IU student body, and was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. He graduated in 1939.
Kelley ran Bird's Eye, a division of General Foods, and thought up adding pearl onions to frozen peas. He later headed Fairmont Foods, where he helped develop the Klondike Bar, directed the roll-outs of Tang and Cool Whip, created parts of the Lean Cuisine line, and brought Grey Poupon to America.
He was founding partner of Kelley & Partners, Ltd. and taught at the Columbia Business School.
Kelley was always philanthropic, giving millions of dollars to IU and Howard Community Hospital, now known as Community Howard Regional Health, in Kokomo, Indiana. He donated to Indiana University-Kokomo, (IUK), for the Kelley Student Center, Kelley House, the library building and the E. W. Kelley Scholarship fund. He gave money in 1999 to establish the E. W. Kelley Chair in Business Administration at IU Bloomington, and $23 million to establish the IU Bloomington's Business School's Kelley Scholars program in 1997, which led IU to rename the School of Business to the Kelley School of Business. He also supported the Bloomington campus' Alumni center, School of Music, the Mellencamp Pavilion, and the Alva Prickett Chair in Accounting.
E. W. Kelley maintained a home in Sharpsville until his death, and also a home in Florida. He had turned the old family farm, located on U.S. Route 31 about 6 miles south of Kokomo, Indiana, into the Kelley Historical Agricultural Museum.
Other family interests include Kelley Farms, which has since merged with Adler Seeds of Sharpsville, just across the road from the E. W. Kelley home. Kelley Farms was run by E. W.'s brother Bill Kelley, who also owned Shady Kennels and the former Red Carpet Motel outside of Sharpsville. Adler Seeds was founded by neighbor and friend Howard Adler.
E. W. Kelley died on Friday, July 4, 2003, at the age of 86.
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Some of their strengths
E. W. Kelley has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Generous, Intense, Intuitive, Peaceful, Intelligent, Hardworking, and Independent.
Independent and Brave
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, E. W. Kelley is someone who is an independent, brave, and honest person who approaches life with energy, intuition, passion, and generosity. A person who is known for being diligent and strong.
Adaptable and Versatile
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know E. W. Kelley well know them as someone who can be adaptable, flexible, and polite, like a flower or a sapling.
Courteous and Easygoing
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe E. W. Kelley as someone who is polite, modest, and diplomatic.
A person who tends to be socially popular, who loves intellectual or creative activities, who has a talent for communicating with and understanding the needs of others, and who seems to have a knack for getting recognized for their efforts.
Dynamic and Imaginative
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, E. W. Kelley is someone who can bring a purifying element to situations, and who is a risk-taker with vision and imagination.
They are also someone who is active, giving, optimistic, and cheerful, and who possesses a charisma that attracts friends and admirers.
Independent and Dynamic
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, E. W. Kelley tends to be someone who is independent, dynamic, and courageous. Who can be positive, energetic, self-reliant, and adventurous, and who can make friends easily.
Some of E. W. Kelley's challenges
While E. W. Kelley has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, E. W. Kelley can be Short-tempered, Impulsive, Complicated, Brusque, Indecisive, Materialistic, and Callous.
Short-tempered and Impulsive
One of E. W. Kelley's key challenges is that they are someone who can come across as short-tempered and impulsive.
Indecisive and Materialistic
E. W. Kelley is someone who can be indecisive, indulgent, and materialistic, who can have difficulty focusing on a single career or profession, have difficulty following orders or respecting authority, and who can suffer from "analysis paralysis".
Aggressive and Domineering
Finally, E. W. Kelley also can be aggressive, impatient, impulsive, and short-tempered.
