Where can you get beer, burgers and sushi? Drake’s has you covered. With locations in Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Indiana and Illinois, customers can enjoy bar food favorites like wings and nachos before their sushi order arrives. A diverse menu and a fun atmosphere, Drake’s has been able to thrive despite the challenges brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. Mark Thornburg, COO of Drake’s, explains how he started working with Drake’s and what has kept him there:
What inspired you to get into foodservice?
“I was working in retail at the time. I got a phone call form a shopping center owner in Kentucky who said that he wanted to own some restaurants but didn’t want to run them. He said that he wanted me to, so I went from wearing a suit and tie one day to a rubber apron the next washing dishes. The rest is history.”
What do you love about your business?
“Each day is different. The people, both guests and employees. I love to put smiles on people’s faces. The guests love our brand and the staff loves working with us. Why? Because we care about each of them.”
What’s the most interesting thing to happen to your business?
“Seeing staff members grow up. We get a lot of employees that we are their very first job ever and watching them grow and become adults is so cool to me. I’ve gotten many letters from past employees thanking me for being there for them in the past, and how because of how I treated them they are doing what they have always wanted to do, whether they’ve stayed in this industry or in a different field all together.”
What is the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome?
“COVID hands down, 2020 will be a year I’ll never forget. Because of the managers in each store and the staff in each of them, we have survived and grew even stronger, to the point that we have been able to open two new stores in the fourth quarter of 2020. We’re very blessed.”
What Cambro products help make your business work?
“Camshelving in all freezers, walk-ins and dry storage. Our Cambro rep, A.J., is so great to work with and he works so hard to help set up product for us.”
Links for Drake’s
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: ADRIANA DESIDERIO IS THE DIGITAL CONTENT MANAGER AT CAMBRO.
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Categories: Cambro Featured Business of the Week