Sponsored By
RH Regional Powerhouses

Articles on companies that have grown by building an impressive portfolio of restaurant concepts.

2016 RH 25: TomKats Hospitality

The best and brightest restaurant companies are not just creating one great concept; they're creating many. See Restaurant Hospitality's picks for powerful multi-concept companies that not only play it cool, they kick ass. See all concepts >>

August 2, 2016

1 Min Read
RestaurantHospitality logo in a gray background | RestaurantHospitality

Headquarters: Nashville

Annual Sales: $30 million

Units: 4

Key Personnel:
• Tom Morales, proprietor
• Lauren Morales, c.o.o.
• Matt Farley, executive chef

SINGLE CONCEPTS
• Saffire Restaurant & Bar (a renovated factory setting with an eclectic menu of international foods with a southern flair)
• The Southern Steak & Oyster (wood-fired meats, southern-fried staples and an oyster bar)
• Acme Feed & Seed (multilevel venue with creative cuisine, cocktails, live music and a rooftop patio)
• The Southernaire Market (a New Orleans-style neighborhood grocery and butcher shop)

UPCOMING PROJECTS:
• Fin & Pearl (a fresh seafood concept featuring a raw bar opening in the fall)

WHY IT’S COOL: TomKats is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, which begs the question: Why only four restaurants? TomKats operated only as an onsite movie catering company for many years (it provided grub for The Walking Dead, Boardwalk Empire and The Devil Wears Prada). But once Morales decided to operate restaurants, he proved that it’s more than a behind-the-scenes player. Its restaurants tap into what may be the hottest culinary trend today—Southern food and flair. Four restaurants doing $30 million in sales? You do the math. Morales and Farley know their stuff, and customers can’t get enough of what they offer.

Next: AvroKO Hospitality 

Subscribe to Our Newsletters
Get the latest breaking news in the industry, analysis, research, recipes, consumer trends, the latest products and more.

You May Also Like