Atlanta, GA (3/3/04) - The partners of Jackmont Hospitality have proven that they can play in the major arena of food service companies. The recent acquisition of four T.G.I. Friday's urban-based restaurants was a giant step for the company. It is a verification that the principals of Jackmont are ready, willing and able to grow their business in this competitive environment. The T.G.I. Friday's Restaurants that are owned and operated by Jackmont are located in Greenbelt, Maryland; Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC; and two in Philadelphia, Penn.
"We have shared a rewarding partnership with Jackmont Hospitality for the past eight years in their capacity as the T.G.I. Friday's franchise partner at Atlanta's Hartsfield Jackson International Airport," said Richard Snead, president and CEO, Carlson Restaurants Worldwide. "We knew that Jackmont Hospitality was the right partner. Operating in diverse markets is very important to us and Jackmont Hospitality can help make our restaurants thrive in these communities."
The Hartsfield Jackson International Airport T.G.I. Friday's restaurant recently won several awards including U.S.A. Franchise General Manager of the Year and two divisional awards - Highest Gross Revenue for a non-traditional location and the restaurant was recognized for Outstanding Employee Retention. "We are certainly very proud of our employees and we know that dedication and high energy will be our trademark in the new Mid-Atlantic area restaurants," said Daniel Halpern, Jackmont's president and CEO.
Founded by Maynard Jackson, former mayor of Atlanta, Daniel Halpern and Brooke Jackson Edmond in 1994, Jackmont Hospitality has established a strong operational track record with solid performance backed by numerous and significant accounts and franchisee relationships. With $63 million in managed volume and $26.5 million in revenue, Jackmont is financially sound and looking forward to continued growth. Valerie Jackson has now stepped into her late husband's shoes and is a partner with Ms. Edmond and Mr. Halpern.
Jackmont currently operates campus food services for Spelman College and Morehouse College in Atlanta and Albany State University in Albany (GA). Jackmont also provides food service for Skadden, Arps, Et Al (Washington, DC), Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta and the Atlanta Public Schools.
Jackmont Hospitality has owned and operated the T.G.I. Friday's restaurant at Hartsfield Jackson International Airport since 1996. The new four restaurant deal is wholly owned by Atlanta Restaurant Partners, an out-growth of Jackmont Hospitality with partners Edmond, Halpern and Jackson, and will be managed by Jackmont Hospitality. Each of the new restaurants is located in an urban community which offers a unique opportunity to market casual dinning to a young and diverse consumer group that has been loyal T.G.I. Friday's restaurants and the casual dining segment.
Jackmont Hospitality recently celebrated its ten year anniversary with an Atlanta event that brought friends together from all over the country. "Jackmont Hospitality was just one of the ideas that my father, Maynard Jackson, put his energy into. He set us on the right course and guided our steps and we know he would be proud of our accomplishments at our tenth birthday," said Brooke Jackson Edmond, vice president of Jackmont.
