Who We Are

The Principals at Thomas Hospitality Group, LLC

GREGORY M. THOMAS
Food Service Industry Advisor And Analyst
Thomas Hospitality Group, LLC

Gregory (Gregg) M. Thomas is a leading food service industry advisor and analyst. He is also the founder of Thomas Hospitality Group, which provides comprehensive strategic planning and operations guidance to restaurants, hotels and a variety of food service organizations.

Thomas views the food service industry as a major economic force and key indicator of shifts in consumer attitudes and spending. Despite the size of the industry, Thomas believes it is often underestimated for its impact on the economy, local communities and other businesses. "Our goal is to help food service owners and managers be more proactive by recognizing and capitalizing on emerging trends and issues," Thomas said. "Industry dynamics and social changes are constantly redefining what represent success in the marketplace."

Prior to starting Thomas Hospitality Group, Thomas worked as an advisor to a number of restaurant and food service companies since 1992. Prior to that, he held long-term positions at a leading regional fine dining chain and with Plante & Moran, one of the nations largest accounting and consulting firms.

Thomas is a board member of the Michigan Restaurant Association, and member of the Financial Executives Institute, Turnaround Management Association, Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He holds a master's degree from Walsh College and bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan.

JOHN J. BUELL

Capital Markets Division

John Buell has 33 years of business experience, having worked with a major Michigan commercial bank for 26 years followed by seven years of running his own distribution company. He has developed a background in financial management, corporate financing, leveraged buy-out transactions, cash management, liquidations, management of banking relationships and operations expertise in banking and distribution.

In the period of time he has been with THG Capital Markets, LLC, he has developed relationships with specialty lending sources to the restaurant industry. These sources range from public traded companies to local private investors. Transactions involving multi unit operators range from $300,000 to over $10 million dollars in nature.

These transactions have provided operators the opportunity to add additional units, restructure existing debt, or buy-out existing partners. All transactions have been based on solid cash flow; with ancillary collateral provided in some cases.

Mr. Buell has expertise in analyzing current debt structure and incorporating the future goals and objectives of the client to build a transaction which will give the client maximum use of future cash flow at a reasonable cost.