Local Favorite Restaurants in Dallas is growing by prioritizing employee careers and acquisitions

The useful part

Travel & Hold Well for On-the-Walk/Run/Drive occasions Breakfast that Travels: Local Favorite Restaurants Dallas native Mike Karns' career experience runs deep, spanning both the real estate and hospitality industries. He is the sole owner of Local Favorite Restaurants, which counts nearly 100 locations among 10 concepts.

How it works

• She said the company makes decisions through the lens of how it can benefit its people, as well as its customers and communities.
• "He could be offered 100 [chain restaurants], but if there is no personal connection, it doesn't matter how much money it will make him.
• "If we're going to be the local favorite for everybody, we need to have variety and diversification." There are plenty of synergies between the brands, however.
• "If Campuzano is bringing a lot of guests back, we will try to understand how to support them and take that across our brands," Peck said.
• Every moment is a learning opportunity." This formula — shared learnings, people-first, diversification — seems to be working.

What to take from it

to cheering for the BGSU Falcons, Alicia is a rabid Michigan fan and will talk about college football with anyone willing to engage. "We're winning in a tough market and it's because we have doubled down on the way we treat our teams and guests." About the Author Alicia Kelso Executive Editor, Nation's Restaurant News Alicia Kelso is the executive editor of Nation's Restaurant News. He also directs the operations of sibling companies Triton Commercial Real Estate and Karns Commercial Real Estate.

Example or evidence

• In June, for instance, the company acquired Cotton Patch Café, adding 46 locations to the portfolio instantaneously.
• "That's our differentiator — Mike recognizes talent and puts aces in places." Related:
• "Mike has been able to provide a career path for 3,000 people across 10 brands.
• There's the Village Burger Bar and Snuffer's, which also specializes in burgers (as well as original cheddar fries).

Details worth keeping

market push Jollibee embraces differentiation over imitation in U.S. Oct 20, 2026 2:00 pm EDT Sponsored Content Breakfast that Travels: Restaurant Show 2026 Restaurant Show Preview 2025 FSTEC Show Recap Event Insider: FSTEC Independent Restaurants Dallas' Local Favorite Restaurants has gained momentum by putting people first The restaurant group's recent acquisition of Cotton Patch Café brings its diverse portfolio to 10 concepts, three of which are proprietary.

Related coverage

• Restaurant News: Fan-favorite neighborhood barbecue destination returns under local ownership, continuing its tenured legacy in North Texas The post A Richardson Staple Returns!
• Fortworthbusiness: Al Biernat's, a popular Dallas fine dining institution, is expanding its brand westward with the opening of a downtown Fort Worth location that could open as soon as the end of next year The Fort Worth...