Great American Restaurants, Sweetwater Tavern

In 1974, Randy Norton and Jim Farley opened a 16 table pizza place in Fairfax City, VA. Mike Ranney joined them a year later, and with the opening of Fantastic Fritzbe's Flying Food Factory (now Silverado) in 1976, Great American Restaurants was born. Over the past 40 years, their partnership has thrived as a result of their entrepreneurial spirit, enthusiasm for hospitality, and a ton of hard work by thousands of the best team players in the industry.

"GAR is fun because our people take pride in being part of something special and love what we do. Our restaurants are filled with guests and staff that want to have a good time. GAR helps everyone feel great. GAR cares about our people on a whole different level than anyone else... and is also obsessive about the details. A unique combination."