John C. Metz, Sr.

John C. Metz began his career in the food service management industry in 1967 with the founding of Custom Management Corporation. The result was outstanding: this small regional provider grew into an industry leader and innovator and set the standards for the competition to follow. Metz’s success is well documented and recognized by his peers through a variety of prestigious awards including the IFMA Silver Plate Award, Nation’s Restaurant News’ Golden Chain Award, and Restaurant Business’ coveted Leadership Award.

In 1987, Custom Management was acquired by Morrison’s Hospitality Group and John Metz was named Chairman and CEO of Morrison’s Custom Management. During his tenure, he oversaw the growth of more than 900 accounts with a sales volume in excess of $600 million. He took a brief hiatus in which he turned his attention to other business endeavors, but he really never left the industry which was his first love—in fact he expanded his involvement by becoming a Trustee Board Member with the National Restaurant Association and the Culinary Institute of America. In the early 1990s, Metz expanded his interest to franchise operations. His company now owns and operates 9 T.G.I. Friday’s restaurants in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. In 1995, Metz was awarded the T.G.I. Friday’s Domestic Franchise Developer of the Year.

In 1994, Metz launched Metz Culinary Management, formerly Metz & Associates, specializing in providing dining management solutions for healthcare, educational, and corporate accounts. Metz Culinary Management was named a top 8 risers by Food Management maga- zine and #11 on their top 50 food service management companies. In July 2008, Metz opened Northeastern Pennsylvania’s only Ruth’s Chris Steak House at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

In 1994, John joined the board of directors of RARE Hospitality International, Inc., owner of Longhorn Steaks, Bugaboo Creek Steak- house, and Capital Grille. He also serves as vice chairman of Leader- ship Roundtable and is one of its founding members. John is a former member of CEO and YPO, and a current member of the World Presidents’ Organization (WPO).

Restaurant Business magazine awarded him the Leadership Award in 1997, and a year later, Johnson & Wales University honored him with a Doctor of Business & Administration in Food Service Management, Honaris Canusa. In 2000, Metz was recognized as one of the “Top 50 Power Players” by Nation’s Restaurant News. John Metz was awarded the Nation’s Restaurant News’ Golden Chain Award and through this was voted by his peers for the prestigious MUFSO Operator of the Year in 2002.

MUFSO Operator of the Year (2002) Nation’s Restaurant News Top 50 Power Player (2000)
Leadership Award, Restaurant Business Magazine
Franchise Developer of the Year, T.G.I. Friday’s (1995) Franchisee Group of the Year, T.G.I. Friday’s (2011 & 2016)
Doctor of Business Administration in Foodservice Management, Honoris Causa, Johnson & Wales University Distinguished Pennsylvanian Award, Communities Leaders of America Honoree, 2013 Distinguished Citizens Award, Boy Scouts of America Honoree, 2013 Distinguished Community Service Award, Wilkes-Barre

Association of the Blind

Honoree, 2014 Distinguished Citizen Award, Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce
Honoree, 2018 Distinguished Citizen Award, Boy Scouts of America Honoree, 2018 Founders Metal, Misericordia University Trustee Associates