Kean’s: A 125 year old Baton Rouge Legacy and the Leadership of Frank Kean III

We lost an industry titan with the passing of Frank Kean III, but we honor his legacy here.

For more than 125 years, Kean’s Fine Dry Cleaning has been woven into the fabric of Baton Rouge. Founded in 1900 by brothers John Selby Kean and Frank H. Kean, the company began with a small Government Street shop, laundering detachable collars for LSU students. From those humble beginnings, Kean’s grew into a household name, known for innovation, reliability, and deep community ties.

Adapting Through the Decades

As fashions changed and collars became part of the shirt, Kean’s pivoted, introducing dry cleaning around World War I. After a devastating fire in 1924, the business relocated to Convention Street and South 19th, where it remained for more than 60 years. Through the 20th century, Kean’s operated under names familiar to many Baton Rouge families—Red Stick, Kean’s Hospital Laundry, Tidy Didy Diaper Service, and Apparelmaster—all while building a reputation as the city’s most trusted cleaner.

By the mid-1980s, Kean’s was among Baton Rouge’s largest privately owned companies, employing hundreds across south Louisiana and generating more than $30 million in annual sales.

The Vision of Frank Kean III

Much of that success was guided by Frank Kean III, the third-generation owner who joined the family business in the late 1960s. Frank brought energy, vision, and a steady hand at a pivotal time in Kean’s history.

In 1986, he led the company through one of its most defining transitions. Recognizing shifts in the marketplace, Frank negotiated the sale of the commercial uniform and linen division to Cintas. Importantly, he chose to retain the 28 retail stores, routes, and package plants, sharpening Kean’s focus on what it did best—serving families and individuals with fine dry cleaning.

Under his leadership, Kean’s not only grew but also reinforced its reputation for fairness, integrity, and community care. Frank believed that success was measured not only by numbers but by trust, continuity, and service to employees and customers alike.

Preparing for the Next Generation

Frank’s final act of stewardship was ensuring Kean’s longevity beyond his time. In 2001, he brought on Gerard “Rock” Rockenbaugh, Jr. as CFO, beginning a thoughtful transition. By 2003, Rock and his wife Missy had purchased the retail business, keeping Kean’s locally owned and rooted in the values that had defined it since 1900. Today, their son Stephen Rockenbaugh leads daily operations, guiding Kean’s through the modern era while honoring the traditions Frank helped preserve.

A Lasting Legacy

Frank Kean III passed away recently, leaving behind not just a business legacy but a community one. He will be remembered as a steward of tradition, a man of principle, and a leader who ensured that the Kean’s name would endure for future generations.

More than a century after its founding, Kean’s Fine Dry Cleaning continues to serve Baton Rouge with the same values Frank championed: excellence, care, and integrity. His life’s work remains present every time a customer walks through the doors, confident that their clothes—and their community—are in good hands.