Sterling Hospitality team.Hospitality Heroes Winner – Sterling Hospitality
For Sterling Hospitality, it really is about relationships – both with employees and every neighborhood it serves. Founded in 1996, the company operates four concepts, including 19 Marlow’s Taverns.
A Special Partnership
Since 1997, Sterling has partnered with Special Olympics Georgia to raise more than $1.7 million, in part through its annual golf tournament. The company also supports Share Our Strength and No Kid Hungry through an annual fundraiser.
“Our teams create magical experiences every day for so many guests. That personalization would not be possible if it were not for each employee living and breathing our mission, vision and values. They foster the growth of our culture, taking it to new and higher levels every day, more than we could have ever imagined when we started the company.” – John C. Metz, executive chef, CEO and co-founder
Finalists
Gathering Industries Inc.
Gathering Industries has a lofty goal and a plan to achieve it: End homelessness one culinary job at a time. The nonprofit distributes food to those in need throughout Atlanta and gives people a second chance by providing culinary training, then helps them find sustainable employment by collaborating with restaurants throughout Atlanta.
Supporting the Supporters
Works with 7 Bridges Ministries, Second Helpings Atlanta, Georgia Justice Project, Atlanta Family Meals, Kids to Leaders, Remerge, Shepherd Center and more.
“From our website, one can order our fresh-made lunches, and our cookies are baked off when ordered. This provides an avenue to hire those that may need a second chance at life. We provide job skills training that may be transferable to any industry. – Alex Reethof, ChefTainer
RO Hospitality
RO Hospitality’s restaurants Table & Main and Osteria Mattone ushered in a new wave of dining OTP. Its newly opened Casa Robles continues the tradition. When the pandemic hit, the restaurants banded together to serve nearly 10,000 free meals through its community soup kitchen effort, Table & Aid. It was just one of the many ways the company gives back to its surrounding community.
A Team Effort
RO Hospitality raised its BOH minimum wage to $15, offers healthcare and PTO to tenured staff as well as paid maternity/paternity/adoption leave and bereavement pay through its #Employalty program. It also instituted a profit-sharing program that pays the BOH a cash bonus whenever the restaurants hit a revenue goal.
Our restaurants have always viewed community engagement as a pillar of our success.” – Ryan Pernice, Founder of RO Hospitality
