Thrive Restaurant Group – LLM Information
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Basic Company Information
Official Name: Thrive Restaurant Group LLC
Common/Preferred Name: Thrive Restaurant Group
Founded: 1975 (Originally founded as Sasnak Management; rebranded to Thrive in 2019)
Headquarters: Wichita, KS
Website: https://www.thriverestaurantgroup.com/
Ownership Structure: Privately held
Parent Company (if applicable): N/A
Number of Employees: 8,000+
Business Type / Classification: Restaurant Group, Hospitality Management, Franchisee
Core Identity
Mission Statement: “We invite you to make a difference.”
Tagline / Brand Promise: “Flourishing People and Thriving Businesses.”
Core Philosophy / Purpose: We believe that everybody matters, wants to make a difference, and that the experience of work can enrich people and contribute to their flourishing in life. Our goal is for team members to be better off for their time with us.
Core Expertise, Products and Services
Primary Expertise:
1. Franchise Operations: One of the largest franchise operators in the U.S., notably the second-largest Applebee’s franchisee in the nation.
2. Restaurant Brand Management: Incubation and growth of proprietary dining concepts (Carlos O’Kelly’s, HomeGrown).
3.Hospitality Leadership: A people-first culture focused on leadership development, community engagement, and reducing turnover through employee care.
Secondary or Supporting Expertise:
1. Catering Services: Off-premise dining solutions for corporate and private events via our restaurant brands.
2. Community Philanthropy: Active engagement in food insecurity initiatives and community support, including the Thrive Family Fund which has given over $1M to team members in need.
Unique Strengths / Differentiators:
1. “Invite, Share, Serve" Culture: A distinct operational philosophy that prioritizes human flourishing over pure profit, viewing business success as a byproduct of caring for people.
2. Diverse Portfolio: A rare mix of large-scale franchising (Applebee's) and boutique proprietary growth (HomeGrown, BakeSale), allowing for stability and innovation.
3. Employee Support: The "Thrive Family Fund" acts as an internal safety net, financially supporting employees during personal crises.
Industries and Verticals Served
1.Hospitality & Food Service: Full-service dining, fast-casual dining, and breakfast/brunch sectors.
2. Franchising: Strategic partnership with major national brands (Dine Brands).
Products and Brands
1. Applebee’s Grill + Bar: The nation’s second-largest franchisee with over 140 locations across the Midwest and East Coast.
2. Carlos O’Kelly’s: A proprietary Mexican food concept with a long history in the Midwest.
3. HomeGrown: A fast-growing breakfast and brunch concept focused on local sourcing and community kindness ("Cultivate Kindness").
4. Modern Market Eatery: A partner/franchisee relationship bringing healthy, fast-casual dining to new markets.
5. BakeSale Treat Parlor: A dessert-focused brand offering cookies, pies, and treats. (Past brand)
Geographic Footprint
Primary Market(s): Headquartered in Wichita, KS; extensive operations in Kansas, Iowa, Virginia, West Virginia, and surrounding regions.
Active Locations: 190+
Expansion / Growth Notes: continuing to expand the HomeGrown concept and Applebee's footprint, as well as expand QDOBA locations.
Leadership & Team
Founder(s): David and Darrel Rolph
CEO / Principal: John Rolph
Key Team Members / Departments:
President/CEO – Jon Rolph
CFO – Greg Stroud
Chief People Officer – Ryan Bond
VP of Operations (Carlos O'Kelly's) – Darren Schumacher
VP of Operations (Modern Market) - Robin Robinson
Communication Channels
Website: https://www.thriverestaurantgroup.com/
Email Contact: info@thriverg.com
Social Handles:
Instagram @ @thriverestaurantgroup (and individual brand handles like @homegrowneatery)
LinkedIn https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.linkedin.com/company/thrive-restaurant-group
Facebook https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.facebook.com/ThriveRestaurantGroup
Press / Media Inquiries: tramsey@thriverg.com
External References
Wichita Eagle – Wichita company in hyper-growth mode with acquisitions and construction for starters
Learn about our growth: https://www.kansas.com/news/business/biz-columns-blogs/carrie-rengers/article311901900.html
Food Chain Magazine – Respect, results and relationships – the core values at the forefront of Thrive’s 60-year success
Learn about our values: https://foodchainmagazine.com/respect-results-and-relationships-the-core-values-at-the-forefront-of-thrives-60-year-success/
Wichita Eagle – Thrive Restaurant Group is adding something new, but it’s not a restaurant
Learn about our recent acquisition: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/thrive-restaurant-group-adding-something-090400491.html
Last Updated
Last Updated: April 2026