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What does it take to serve an entire area through good food and world-class experience?
In this episode of NWA Founders, we sit down with Carl Garrett, founder of Table Mesa Restaurant Group, whose name has become synonymous with Bentonville’s food scene. From launching his first concept with a simple vision to building a hospitality brand that now includes Table Mesa, Tavola Trattoria, and Mirabella’s Table, Carl’s journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and relentless attention to quality.

Whether you’re in food, retail, or any customer-facing business, this conversation is filled with timeless lessons on brand, people, and perseverance.

Summary

Carl shares how a love of food and hospitality, paired with a dissatisfaction in his previous career, led him to pursue the dream of opening a restaurant. But that leap wasn’t easy. In the early years, he faced deep uncertainty, personal sacrifice, and even considered walking away altogether. It was only through grit, clarity of purpose, and sheer willpower that Table Mesa became the cornerstone of Bentonville’s evolving downtown.

What followed wasn’t a rush to expand but a focus on doing things right. Carl breaks down how Tavola and Mirabella’s were born, how he thinks about customer experience, and why he refuses to cut corners, even when scaling gets tough. His approach to growth is old school: build something great, one guest at a time.

Carl reflects on the evolution of Northwest Arkansas and how the region’s growth has affected hiring, operations, and expectations. He talks about leadership through COVID, how Bentonville’s identity shapes his decisions, and why longevity matters more than hype.

Highlights

00:00 How Carl found his way into hospitality

08:30 Opening Table Mesa

26:00 Opening Tavola Trattoria

43:00 Opening Mirabella's Table

1:10:00 What’s next in 2026

Key Takeaways

1. There are no shortcuts in hospitality - Carl built his brand by sweating every detail and showing up when it mattered most
2. Get back to the basics - Many people open restaurants, but few last. Carl reminds us that staying power is built on character, consistency, and care.
3. Service is the true bottom line - Every one of Carl’s restaurants exists to serve people

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NWA Founders is a voice for Founders, Owners, and Builders driving growth in Northwest Arkansas, and is hosted by Cameron Clark and Nick Beyer.