BIO
Wilkins Hospitality Group
Owners: Tim and Lisa Wilkins
Wilkins Hospitality Group is a foodservice management, consulting, and training services organization. Owners Tim and Lisa Wilkins collectively have over 50 years of successful operations experience in the hospitality industry. Tim's knowledge is vast and wide from operating individual and multiple independent restaurants to major arena and stadium management contracts. Lisa is a marketing, training, and public relations specialist with a proven track record of customer service and community relations success. Together they have a formula for success.
Other Businesses Ventures
In addition to years of experience and managing Wilkins Hospitality Group, Tim and Lisa also still live and experience the restaurant life day-to-day with the two thriving operations they own – The 157 year old Historic White Horse Inn and Miss Lucy’s Tearoom, both in Metamora, Michigan. Recently, they also developed and promote a signature product line of house dressings and seasonings.
Support of Local Charities
Over and above all their business ventures, Tim and Lisa find time to leverage their operation of the Historic White Horse Inn to raise tens of thousands of dollars for local causes with their own creation of fundraising events held throughout the year including “Corks & Forks”, “What’s Cooking for Charity” and “Proceeds Day—Dining for Dollars”. Moreover, both Tim and Lisa donate a substantial amount of time and resources to other non-profit organizations with their board membership, volunteer activities, and generous support. They are proud to support COTS “Soup City”, Detroit Zoo “Sunset at the Zoo”, Variety – The Children’s Charity, Share our Strength Taste of the Nation, the Oakland Press “Empty Stocking Fund”, Suite Dreams, Crittenton Hospital, Lapeer Medical Center, Metamora Land Preservation Association and both the Oxford and Metamora Chambers of Commerce.
Tim Wilkins Experience
Tim began his restaurant career at the age of 16 washing dishes and cooking for Machus Restaurants and Pastry Shops. Before long he worked his way up to General Manager of several Machus operations. His vast experience led him to represent Machus Management Services with their management contract with Palace Sports and Entertainment. Tim assisted with the grand opening implementation and operations of the Palace of Auburn Hills, Pine Knob Music Theatre and MeadowBrook Music Theater overseeing 180 luxury suites, restaurants, clubs, bars, banquet facilities and catering resulting in over 8 million in annual sales. His past experience also includes working as a Director of New Business Development for Volume Services, Inc. acting as a national consultant for stadium and arena contracts providing luxury suite service, catering, banquets and restaurant operations for arenas and stadiums all over the country. Tim also worked for the Matt Prentice Restaurant Group as Senior Managing Partner for Northern Lakes Seafood Company, opening with a prestigious “Four Star” award.
Lisa Wilkins Experience
Lisa also began her career in the hospitality industry at the age of 16 for Machus Restaurants and Pastry Shops. After taking time off to start and raise their family, she returned to Machus to take a corporate position of Promotions and Marketing Manager responsible for developing promotional and marketing strategies for Machus Restaurants and Pastry Shops. Before purchasing the White Horse in 2001, Lisa also held Executive Director positions for two local charities, Forgotten Harvest (hunger relief organization) and the Pheasant Ring Community (helping families with adult children with autism). Lisa is nationally certified independent T.I.P.S. Trainer. T.I.P.S. is a global leader in education and training responsible service, sale and consumption of alcohol.
Wilkins Hospitality Group can be reached at (248) 941-9195 (Tim Wilkins), or (248) 881-4237 (Lisa Wilkins), or by email at info@wilkinshg.com. For more information, please visit the Wilkins Hospitality Group website at www.wilkinshg.com, the Historic White Horse Inn at www.historicwhitehorseinn.com, and Miss Lucy’s Tearoom and Gift Shop at www.misslucystearoom.com.