In this episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches, Sam talks with Warren Thompson, president and chairman of Thompson Hospitality, the largest minority-owned food management company in the U.S. Closing in on $1 billion in revenues, Thompson Hospitality has a unique model operating across restaurants, contract foodservice and hotels, with a restaurant portfolio of about 70 restaurant locations under 18 individual brands. A veteran of Marriott before launching Thompson Hospitality 30 years ago, Warren joined the podcast to talk about why his diversified operations model works so well, how it’s finding success both through brand development and brand acquisition, and how the group’s talent development is helping to pave its way to becoming a billion-dollar company.

In this conversation, you’ll find out why:

• There are plenty of blueprints for success available to you
• You can hedge against the volatile economy by diversifying your revenue streams
• Brand acquisition allows you to move into a market much faster than if you built from scratch
• It’s better to compete with yourself than to compete with someone else
• With multiple brands in your portfolio, you can focus your geographic reach and create multiple efficiencies
• In the restaurant arms race, the winners will be those who can attract and retain the best and brightest employees
• If you want to start your own company, start by getting as much experience as you can with other industry leaders 

Have feedback or ideas for Take-Away? Email Sam at [email protected].