About Apple Lane
We opened with the simple idea that we can do it better.
How It Started
In 1995, Donnie L. Lane stood in a lengthy line at a Honey Baked Ham franchise in Huntsville, Alabama. Looking around, he recognized locals from his hometown of Decatur — people who had driven 90 minutes round-trip just to buy a holiday ham. Right then, he knew there had to be a better way.
After exploring franchising opportunities and finding them economically unfavorable, Donnie met Don Bonano in August 1997. Bonano owned Ham Supreme Shops in Detroit and agreed to teach Donnie the craft for $5,000. A few months later, on December 12, 1997, Apple Lane opened its doors on Highway 20 in Decatur, Alabama.
The Craft
Every ham is slow-smoked over hardwood for more than 24 hours, then spiral-sliced and glazed with honey and spices fresh each day. It's the same process Donnie learned in 1997, and we haven't changed it because we haven't needed to.
What started as a holiday ham shop grew into a full lunch counter — overstuffed sandwiches, homemade sides, banana pudding, and pies — all made from scratch.
Two Locations, One Family Recipe
Today, Apple Lane operates two locations in North Alabama — the original Decatur store (now on Beltline Road, complete with a food truck) and a second location in the Wal-Mart Shopping Center in Madison.
Whether you're picking up a weekday lunch, ordering hams for the holidays, or feeding a crew with box lunches and catering, it's still the same honest food that started with one simple idea nearly 30 years ago.
