From a tiny store with three parking spaces in 1967 to the largest locally owned pizza chain in North Louisiana, Johnny's Pizza has come a long way, tossing and turning the region's favorite pizza without fail day after day. Johnny Huntsman had always wanted to go into business for himself. But the only thing he knew at the time was how to make one heck of a pizza--learned while working at a pizza place in college. One day he passed by (what is now) the University of Louisiana at Monroe and saw a building for rent. And with some borrowed money he opened his first restaurant on DeSiard Street. There were no other pizza stores in Monroe in those days. And most people around had never eaten pizza. Things started off slow, and when a national chain came to town and started advertising in a big way, Huntsman thought it was over. Instead, the advertising created awareness about pizza, and Huntsman's product started to take hold and claim its own following. After fast growth in the 70s and 80s and a trickle-down effect from Louisiana's economy, times got tough. However, that's when Huntsman persevered and used brilliant grassroots marketing tactics, which included standing by the busiest intersection in Monroe, donned in a barrel, suspenders, sneakers and a ball cap with a sign that read "Please Eat Johnny's Pizza."​ As a result, in came the media and publicity. Huntsman did the same thing in Shreveport, and sales bounced back, rededicating the company's efforts to North Louisiana. Long known for great products (Johnny's consistently ranks as North Louisiana's favorite pizza) as well as outstanding community service, Johnny's Pizza House commands a large market share percentage. So many great years of terrific pizza. So many great years of community service. So many great years of believing in people. Thanks for the good times, Johnny!

Hamra Enterprises is a people-forward organization that develops leaders, owned and founded in 1975 by the Hamra family. The company's headquarters is in Springfield, Missouri, and operates in 11 states; Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, and Tennessee. Hamra Enterprises is committed to providing the highest quality products and services within the hospitality industry, creating exceptional experiences for people and communities by engaging each of its restaurant neighborhoods through community service, fundraising, and other philanthropic partnerships such as Boston Children’s Hospital, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, Make-A-Wish of Illinois and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Hamra Enterprises is a franchisee of 195 locations: Caribou Coffee, Panera Bread, Noodles & Company, and Wendy's. How we support our leaders - the HERO Fund: The Hamra Employees Emergency Fund is an emergency relief fund serving employees of Hamra Enterprises. Hamra Enterprises is committed to supporting and respecting its valued employees and the things that matter to them. We’re here to celebrate the good times together and to reach out and lend a hand during challenging times. Since its inception, the fund has raised over $2.5 million (with Hamra matching), made a difference for almost 2,000 employees and their families, and has granted more than $1.4 million. In 2022, with 52.4% employee participation, the fund granted 230 emergency grants and 142 tuition reimbursement grants. For more details visit, http://www.hamraheroes.org/

Carlisle is a family-owned restaurant and hospitality business based out of Memphis, TN. It is rooted in real estate development since 1974. We strive to strengthen our communities by developing people, improving under-utilized assets and giving back. Carlisle LLC (Carlisle) is the parent company for a variety of real estate development and restaurant operating businesses. Carlisle owns and operates four primary divisions – Carlisle LLC (parent and manager), Wendelta Inc., Carlisle Hospitality Group (hotels, multifamily and full-service restaurants) and Carlisle Development Company, LLC (a full-service development and construction firm that oversees the construction of Carlisle Hospitality and Wendelta assets). Our One Beale project is a transformative $400 million riverfront redevelopment located in Downtown Memphis at the corner of Beale Street and Riverside Drive. As of October 2020, One Beale had three phases under construction valued at $200 million with another $200 million in the development pipeline. An early Wendy’s franchisee, Carlisle’s subsidiary Wendelta Inc. operates over 160 restaurants in the Southeast in a single contiguous market stretching from Texas to Florida and Louisiana to Tennessee. Since 2015, Wendelta’s revenues have grown from $129 million to over $253 million by 2019. Carlisle Development LLC is a commercial real estate developer and licensed general contractor that specializes in mixed use developments and quick service restaurants. Its management team has developed and built over $115mm of quick service restaurants and overseen $265mm of commercial developments.

Uncle Don's Chain of Restaurants

FOURJAY, L.L.C. is a company based out of 42 PARKSTONE CIRCLE, NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas, United States.

Our Driving Force: Food is Our Story Newk's is an express casual dining experience in a refreshing and stylish atmosphere with an emphasis on freshness and flavor. An eatery built on made-from-scratch recipes, crafted with premium seasonal ingredients, that are a cut above the rest. We bring the best of the best to our menu, prepare it with pride in our open kitchen, and offer it up to you the way a friend would – with an ample dose of generosity and a smile. Newk’s Eatery treats you like a friend. We host you like one. We talk to you like one. We take pride in how we feed you. Put simply, we just do it right, because we respect our relationship. Since the first restaurant opened in Jackson, Miss. in 2004, Newk’s Eatery has indulged guests with a curated selection of the Newcomb family’s finest scratch-made recipes. It all starts with impeccable seasonal ingredients, even if that means sourcing from the other side of the globe. At Newk’s, every meal is prepared to-order in an open-view kitchen. The robust menu offers grilled & toasted sandwiches, more than a dozen entrée salads, kettle-batch soups and hand-rolled pizzas for lunch and dinner, as well as signature Dozen-Layer Cakes baked in Newk’s in-house bakery. All ingredients – including dressings, fruits and vegetables – are hand-prepped, and all meats are hand-sliced and flame-grilled so every Newk’s meal is truly served fresh. Newk’s currently operates and franchises more than 125 restaurants in 15 states and is gaining national attention for its accelerated growth and commitment to quality food. Nation’s Restaurant News, Restaurant Business Magazine, Fast Casual Magazine, Technomic, Franchise Times and more have named Newk’s as one of the top fast casual brands in America. For more information, visit Newks.com, join the Roundtable Club, or follow Newk’s on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. At Newk’s, Food Is Our Story.

Tiger Commissary Services, Inc. is a computer software company based out of 515 W WASHINGTON AVE, Jonesboro, Arkansas, United States.

LAMBERTS CAFE INC. is a food & beverages company based out of 2305 EAST MALONE, SIKESTON, Missouri, United States.

Mathews Management Inc is a restaurants company based out of P.O. Box 31665, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States.

Our roots run deep in the Delta where the food is honest, meals are social, and the door is always open. We started with a mission to bring a dose of that southern hospitality to a fast, casual setting—serving Fresh Delicious Chicken® to the communities we serve. Our startup story is pretty simple. It all started with a craving for a quick, quality meal— fresh chicken cooked to order. The founders, Greg Smart and Tom Gordon, discovered there was a niche to fill and rallied where lots of great startups begin, from their garage! Tireless testing and a laser-focused vision launched the first Slim Chickens restaurant in Fayetteville, Arkansas, 2003. Now over 15 years and tens of thousands of happy customers later, we know that there’s something special about our hand-breaded chicken tenders, fresh hot chicken sandwiches, made-to-order wings and our house-made dipping sauces that keep our loyal fans coming back…over and over again. Our service model sets us apart from quick service restaurants. Whether you’re dining in, driving through, or carrying out, our people will greet you with a warm smile and a desire to please. When dining in, we bring your food to your table and provide you with that extra touch of hospitality. We strive to return that enthusiasm by giving back to the communities we serve—helping local non-profits with fundraisers, donating food to community events, and doing everything we can to improve the lives of people in the communities where we live and work.

US Pizza Company Inc is a food & beverages company based out of 202 W Dickson St, Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States.

Perimeter Foods Inc is an electrical/electronic manufacturing company based out of 517 Keywood Cir # 1b, Flowood, MS, United States.