Reston / Virginia / United States
Thompson Hospitality Corporation was founded in 1992 when Warren M. Thompson, president and chairman, purchased 31 Bob s Big Boy restaurants from Marriott Corporation. The company began converting some of its restaurants to Shoney s and continued to operate the franchised units for more than eight years. The company operates one Shoney s restaurant and has created a number of proprietary restaurant concepts: America s Best Diner and T.J. s Roadhouse Grill and Saloon. The company also has developed and operates, Obi Sushi, a Japanese restaurant in Reston, Va. Thompson Hospitality entered the contract food service arena in 1993. Thompson Hospitality Corporation, along with its subsidiary, Thompson Hospitality Services, is among the nations largest minority-owned businesses employing more than 2,500 associates, operating in 40 states and four foreign countries with annual revenue exceeding $150 million. From 1994 through 2005, Thompson Hospitality has been recognized by Black Enterprise magazine as one of the country s top 100 minority businesses in total revenue. Most recently, Thompson Hospitality was ranked No.28 among its BE 100 list.
