Jeffrey Thomas

Ford Fry Restaurants (FFR) is a team of Atlanta-based chefs and restaurants helmed by Restaurateur Ford Fry. In January 2007, Fry put down roots in Atlanta with the opening of his first restaurant, JCT. Kitchen & Bar. In less than a decade, the company opened 10 more restaurants in Atlanta and one in Fry’s hometown of Houston. The food and environments Fry’s team creates continue to garner FFR significant accolades, including multiple James Beard nominations, FOOD & WINE magazine features, anEsquire magazine award for Best Restaurant in America, and inclusion on similar “best of” lists in Bon Appetit, Southern Living, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and more. Fry’s portfolio of restaurants includes JCT. Kitchen & Bar, no. 246, The Optimist, King + Duke, St. Cecilia, The El Felix, Superica, Marcel, State of Grace (FFR’s Houston property) and BeetleCat. Fry’s goal is to continue creating restaurants that are relevant, timeless, and inspired, and do so in unique, soulful spaces – making no two just alike. He seeks to run restaurants measured by customer satisfaction and growth, not just benchmarked by sales. "I love finding talent in the region, and putting these people in an environment where they can learn and grow," Fry says. With this in mind, Fry strives to diligently equip FFR employees to take the next steps in their careers by cultivating their talents and watching them come into their own.