| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 1983 |
| Key people | Frederick J. (Fred) Iseman, Chairman, R. Michael Andrews Jr., CEO and Director |
| Employees | 38,000 (2006)[1] |
| Website | buffet.com |
Buffets, Inc., with corporate offices in Eagan, Minnesota,[1] is a company that owns American national chains of buffets.
As of January, 2008, Buffets, Inc. and its affiliated companies operated at least 626 restaurants in 39 states.
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The company was founded by Roe Hatlen and C. Dennis Scott in 1983. Scott left in 1989 to start HomeTown, but the two chains merged back together in September 1996. The current Chief Executive Officer is R. Michael Andrews.
On November 1, 2006, Buffets Inc. acquired Ryan's Restaurant Group adding 340 Ryan's Grill Buffet and Bakery and Fire Mountain Grills locations.[2]
On January 22, 2008, Buffets Inc. filed for bankruptcy, under Chapter 11. Although all restaurants were said to be staying open and continuing to operate normally under the then-current reorganization plan,[3] the company called for the immediate closing of 52 stores nationwide, effective February 12, 2008. The final day of normal business operations in these stores, as well as the announcement of closing to all team members in said stores, took place the previous day.
On April 28, 2009, Buffets Inc. emerged from Chapter 11 reorganization with reduced debt along with a new Board of Directors. [4]
Ryan's was founded by Alvin A. McCall in 1977. It was acquired by Buffets, Inc. on November 1, 2006.[5] Today there are over 200 restaurants in 23 states operating under the Ryan's Grill, Buffet and Bakery and Fire Mountain Grill names. Ryan's is based primarily in the southern and midwestern US, with its corporate headquarters located in Greer, South Carolina [6]. Some of its accolades include being one of the "Best Small Companies in America" seven consecutive years, and named "Top Family Steakhouse in America" for 10 consecutive years.[7]
HomeTown operates 168 locations throughout the United States, variably known as "Old Country Buffet" or "Country Buffet," in addition to the flagship name. HomeTown Buffet locations have a mascot named, "H.T. Bee" (or "O.C. Bee" at Old Country Buffet). Usually, for in-restaurant appearances, the location manager or another employee wears the costume and greets guests and children.