Thompson Hospitality

Reflecting on 2024 and being well into 2025, I can't help but to show tremendous gratitude to the amazing team we have built that shows up every day. Together we moved mountains. - we opened 7 locations - we implemented a new BI tool (Mirus) - our turn over rate landed at 79% (9% reduction YoY) - We spent $0 on recruiter fees - we filled a whopping 68% of all open manager positions internally, many of our people got a promotion (well deserved) - our online reviews went from 3.9 to 4.2 (with 4.5 average since July) - our sales grew 13% YoY - all stores converted successfully to Toast (yeah, I love Toast) - we launched Thompson Restaurants universal gift cards for all 18 brands and 65 locations The year came with its challenges as well. We don't brag about our problems, but we have them too. We are not immune to inflation, attrition, declining consumer confidence, underperforming locations and more. How do we deal with this? We face our issues head on, we have open and honest conversation on how to best deal with them and then we go do it. Again, when you have a top performing team that speaks honestly and displays conversational courage, there is nothing you can't get done. 2025 - even with 2 snowstorms in January and one in February, we are right there to budget and beating prior year. Our strategy is simple: 1. obsess over food, service and clean stores (happy guests, drive sales) 2. roll out our new inventory tool Craftable (gross profit) 3. roll out new loyalty program with SpendGo (returning guests that spend more) Innovation, specials, training/hospitality, speed of service and perceived value. There you have it! I am forever proud of my team, the hard work they display every day, the results they deliver every day, and the no-nonsense approach we have to the business. 2025 - this is our year. Let's go. Mark Copanzzi Zandrique Harrold Mumia Fatiu Travis Gunn Carol Pasquariello Michael Echeveste Jen Jackson Edie Freeman Brigitte McMillan Karen Green Barry Garrison Tony Higdon Treeven Dove

This Black History Month, Campus Dining by Thompson Hospitality is proud to present "Rooted in Resilience," a culinary journey inspired by Jessica B. Harris's acclaimed book, High on the Hog: A Culinary Journey from Africa to America. Each week, we're exploring the rich history of Black American cuisine by tracing the journey of staple crops from West Africa to the Caribbean and the United States. Our chefs & managers are delving into the stories and adaptations of rice, yams, and plantains, culminating in a heritage celebration at month's end. Experience the flavors and resilience that have shaped our culinary landscape.Happy black history month!

We are proud to celebrate our Vice Chairman & Senior Vice President, Benita Thompson Byas, for being named one of Virginia Business’s 2025 Black Business Leaders! 🏆 This honor recognizes leaders making a meaningful impact in their industries and communities. In reflecting on her career journey, Benita shared: "Your lane is uniquely yours. Focus on the journey set before you and avoid comparisons, as they can diminish your joy and progress. Take inspiration from others but recognize the value of your own distinct contributions." Her leadership and dedication continue to inspire. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/efN3nsax

We’re excited to share that our President & Chairman, Warren Thompson, is featured in a brand-new article by his alma mater, the University of Virginia Darden School of Business! From his first venture selling produce to building Thompson Hospitality into a $1 billion company, this piece explores the calculated risks Warren took, the values that shaped him, and his approach to leadership and succession planning. His dedication to innovation and growth continues to inspire us all here at Thompson! Check out the article here: https://lnkd.in/e-Y5Jbhf

We are thrilled to share that our President and Chairman, Warren Thompson, has been honored with the 2024 Inclusion Innovator Award, presented by PepsiCo. This recognition highlights the incredible work Warren has done to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion not only within Thompson Restaurants and Thompson Hospitality, but across the entire restaurant industry. Congratulations!!!!