"Starlite Development Overseas Ltd. is the exclusive international distributor of modular diners manufactured by Starlite Diner Inc., Ormond Beach, Fla."[8]
In 1995, a group of American and Russian businessmen wanted to open a restaurant serving American diner food in Russia
To do so, they shipped a prefabricated diner building from Ormond Beach made by Bill Starevic of Starlite Diners (now Valiant Diner)[2][9]
The $300,000 unit (other sources state $500,000)[10] had minor modifications made to it, such as heavier-insulated walls and a modified floor plan to include a bar[4]
The model was shipped overseas in four pieces;[4] seats 127 people[9]
Entrepreneur Shawn McKenna: "A diner means zero right now in Russia, but that won't last long. At this point, during this season of nationalism and confusion we have brought the old America, the right kind of America. It is the America of quality rather than the America of flash and Broadway. When people see it they are going to respond immediately."[7]
McKenna, from Bath, Maine, also had previously started two other business ventures in Russia[1]
Graduated with a degree in business administration from the University of Maine in 1977[12]
