Mitchell’s vs. Perkins: Navigating Michigan Diners
There is a distinct rhythm to a Michigan morning, especially on a Sunday. It usually involves strong coffee, thick pancakes, and a table that has seen better days but somehow feels warmer because of it. For decades, the brand that has dominated this specific slice of the comfort-food landscape hasn't been Perkins Restaurant & Bakery. It has been Mitchell's.
If you are driving through Kalamazoo, Ann Arbor, or even parts of Southwest Michigan looking for a Perkins, you are likely to hit a dead end. This isn’t a conspiracy; it’s just geography and corporate history. While Perkins has a massive footprint in the Midwest, its relationship with Michigan is complicated, sparse, or non-existent in many areas where you’d desperately want a familiar breakfast spot.
So, what happens when you’re craving that all-you-can-eat grits or the specific buttery spread on their French toast? Do you drive an hour to Indiana? Do you settle for a local diner? Let’s break down the reality of dining at Perkins in Michigan, why the locations are so confusing, and what your actual options are when hunger strikes.
The Geographic Reality Check
First, let’s address the elephant in the room: Perkins is not a household staple in Michigan the way it is in Ohio, Illinois, or Indiana. If you grow up in Michigan, you likely know Mitchell’s Restaurants. Mitchell’s owns and operates the vast majority of the locations that Perkins licenses or franchises. In fact, many "Perkins" locations in the Midwest are technically Mitchell’s franchises running under the Perkins brand name.
However, in Michigan specifically, Mitchell’s has largely doubled down on their own namesake brand. You will find Mitchell’s restaurants lining Highway 13, dotting the outskirts of Detroit, and serving morning rushes in Grand Rapids. They offer a nearly identical experience to Perkins—bottomless coffee, made-from-scratch biscuits, and a nostalgic vibe—but the signage will read Mitchell’s, not Perkins.
For travelers from out of state, this can be jarring. You pull into a rest stop off Interstate 94 or 75 expecting the familiar green and white Perkins aesthetic, only to see the red and white Mitchell’s branding. The good news? The menu is 90% identical. If you’re a Perkins loyalist, you can likely eat at a Mitchell’s in Michigan without noticing the difference until you look at the receipt.
Are There Any Actual Perkins Locations Left?
Pure-play Perkins locations in Michigan are rare birds. Most maps that show a "Perkins" in Michigan are either outdated or are referring to a Mitchell’s that still uses Perkins branding for legacy reasons. As of recent corporate shifts, the distinction has blurred even further.
Because Perkins is a franchise-heavy brand, individual owners have the ultimate say. Some franchisees in border counties near Indiana or Ohio might maintain the Perkins name for brand recognition, while deeper into the state, the Mitchell’s identity takes over. If you are specifically hunting for a Perkins, your best bet is to check the major population centers near the state lines:
