#USA #Reston #Thompson Restaurants #Milk Honey #Wiseguy Pizza

Thompson Restaurants Reports Impressive Growth and Expansion Plans

Thompson Restaurants, a prominent division of Thompson Hospitality, has announced a remarkable 12% increase in revenue for the year 2025. This growth is a testament to the company's strategic efforts in expanding its brand portfolio and enhancing operational efficiency across various concepts. The company operates a diverse range of establishments including memorable names like Milk & Honey, Makers Union, and Wiseguy Pizza.

In 2025, Thompson Restaurants made significant strides by launching or transforming 11 locations, with the ambition to continue this trend, aiming for approximately one opening each month. Their long-term goal is set on reaching a total of 100 locations by the close of 2027, utilizing a combination of organic growth, engaging in strategic acquisitions, and introducing their dining concepts in non-traditional venues such as airports and college campuses.

"Our performance in 2025 indicates our ability to navigate growth thoughtfully, maintaining high service standards and delightful experiences for our guests across our varied dining options," stated Alex Berentzen, Chief Operating Officer of Thompson Restaurants. This philosophy is key to ensuring that while they scale, the quality of service remains a priority.

The flourishing brand of Milk & Honey was particularly pivotal in driving this momentum, with five additional restaurants launched in 2025, raising its total to 19. The company has exciting expansion plans for this brand, with four more locations in various stages of development for 2026.

Moreover, Thompson Restaurants is taking leaps into non-traditional markets as part of their strategy for 2026. Their collaboration with SSP America involves setting up Wiseguy Pizza and Makers Union outlets at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, solidifying their hold on high-traffic areas.

Geographically, the expansion is not limited to the Washington D.C. area; they are exploring opportunities in other regions such as Tidewater in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina, as part of a broader multi-state expansion initiative.

Brand revitalization is also on their agenda, with the recent reopening of Austin Grill, a beloved Tex-Mex concept, in Potomac Falls, Virginia, offering the community something nostalgic yet fresh. Additionally, they introduced Ms. Peach's Southern Kitchen, named in tribute to the founder’s grandmother Hattie Warren, focusing on heartfelt community connections through food. Another addition to their expanding repertoire is the Velocity Bar + Kitchen, a refined dining concept that builds upon the success of Velocity Wings and aims to broaden their audience in the sit-down dining market.

Warren Thompson, founder and chairman of Thompson Hospitality, shared, "We recognize that restaurants serve as more than places to eat; they are venues for culture, connection, and community-building." As they navigate expansive growth, their commitment remains on cultivating brands that resonate strongly within communities, creating meaningful opportunities for teams, and fostering connections through shared dining experiences.

In line with enhancing customer loyalty, Thompson Restaurants launched the Thompson Table Rewards program in 2025. This loyalty initiative allows guests to earn points at all of their 15 brands, offering compelling rewards from complimentary desserts to worthwhile cash rewards. To date, the program has attracted over 200,000 members, reinforcing the company's engagement with its customer base.

As 2026 approaches, Thompson Restaurants is actively exploring partnership and acquisition opportunities focused on regional operators, specifically looking at non-vented concepts like coffee shops and bakeries, in addition to ethnic food categories that bring diverse options to their loyal customers.

For more insights and details about Thompson Restaurants and their varied offerings, visit thompsonrestaurants.com.

About Thompson Restaurants

Founded in 1992, Thompson Restaurants manages restaurants across Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., Ohio, and South Florida. As a family-operated organization, Thompson Hospitality has maintained strong bonds with clients and communities for over thirty years. Currently, they own 15 beloved brands with more than 70 locations, all while focusing on fostering positive relationships and ensuring quality dining experiences.

About SSP America

SSP America is a subsidiary of SSP Group plc, a recognized leader in the global operation of food and beverage outlets in travel locations. With a workforce of around 49,000 in roughly 3,000 locations across 38 countries, SSP America is designed to meet the food needs of travelers in the busiest transport hubs.