Ground Round Grill & Bar, an American casual dining restaurant, was founded in 1969 by Howard Johnson's. As of January 17, 2010 Ground Round is owned by Independent Owners Cooperative, LLC, a group of 30 franchisee owners. Independent Owners Cooperative, LLC is located in Freeport, Maine. Currently, Ground Round has 30 locations in 13 states.
Ground Round was well known in the 1970's and 1980's for its children's parties, showing old time silent movies and cartoons on a big screen, a mascot named Bingo the Clown, and for passing out whole peanuts where diners were not discouraged from throwing the shells on the floor, which became one of The Ground Round's more endearing qualities that attracted families with small children; they also often gave diners popcorn with their dinner, rather than bread. The newest incarnation of Ground Round doesn't support such behavior and markets to the adult dining and cocktails crowd, although families are still welcome (a mascot called the Ground Round Hound, an anthropomorphic hound dog, appears on the kids' menu).
Ground Round was also famous for their pay what you weigh (a penny per pound) and their free popcorn. At one time in the early 1980s there were over 300 locations. Overselling by parent co. Howard Johnson's Inc. led to the near collapse of the franchise in the late 1980s. A fire at the Yonkers, New York location, in which 1 patron and another employee were killed and left several others severely injured ended the peanut shell atmosphere and cost the parent company much in a negligence suit, that was at the time the highest award by a New York State jury for punitive damages. The Ground Round in York, Pennsylvania also burnt down.
In February 2004 the franchisor for Ground Round filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy; in the process, all 59 corporate-owned restaurants (almost half of the Ground Rounds then open) abruptly closed their doors.[1] A group of franchisees joined together in order to buy out the parent company, at the time Ground Round, Inc., and started the Ground Round Independent Owners Cooperative, LLC (GR IOC).
Bob Crowley has more than ten years experience as a Human Resources professional in the restaurant and hospitality industry. He joined the Ground Rounds parent company, American Hospitality Concepts, Inc., in 1996 as Director of Recruiting. He was soon promoted to his current position Director of Human Resources & Training. In this role, Bob oversees training & development, new restaurant openings, recruitment, employee relations, compensation, corporate events and communications to support more than 6,000 employees at 130 Ground Round locations in 20 states nationwide. Last year, the Ground Round chain was recognized as Employer of Choice by the National Restaurant Association for their exceptional efforts in the areas of employee recognition, retention and management development.
Prior to AHCI, Bob held several positions of increasing responsibility in Human Resources with companies including Sheraton Tara Hotel/The Flatley Co. in Braintree, MA, Back Bay Restaurant Group, Inc. in Boston, MA and Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI.
Bob is a member of both the Society for Human Resource Management and the Employment Management Association. He is a graduate of Curry College in Milton, MA and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management/Human Resources. He has been a guest speaker on the topics of recruitment, career planning, and diversity at Johnson & Wales University, the New York Hotel, Motel & Restaurant Show and Washington State University.
At the Ground Round Grill & Bar we take great pride in the quality of our food and customer experience. We offer casual dining, serving lunch and dinner.
We are conveniently located next to the Bridgewood Golf Course and the Best Western Bridgewood Resort Hotel & Conference Center in Neenah, WI.
Ground Round Mission & Vision
As one of America's oldest and most enduring casual theme restaurant chains with over 35 years of successful operation, the Ground Round Grill & Bar has a long and proud history. Our restaurant concept was the pioneer of casual dining, the fastest growing segment of the restaurant industry.
Through the years, the Ground Round Grill & Bar has adapted and evolved its brand image to fit the changing needs of our guests and their lifestyles. A lot has changed since 1969, but we've always been at the forefront of major trends, which have helped define the restaurant industry's casual dining segment over the last three decades.
Today, our company and brand is owned and operated by our franchise owners. This group of experienced and dedicated operators is poised to continue to upgrade the food quality and taste profiles of our Ground Round menu and product offerings. The franchise owners and leadership of the Ground Round brand operates under the company name of Independent Owners Cooperative, LLC; operating with more than 25 locations in 11 U.S. States.
Create staff schedules in less time
Ensure shift coverage
Reduce overtime expenses
Communicate schedule information more effectively
Improve reporting capabilities
Create schedules in less time
With our staff scheduling software, schedules are built more quickly, as you can use time-saving tools that rotate shifts, copy schedule patterns, and schedule groups of employees at one time.
Ensure shift coverage
With VSS Pro, you can input your staffing requirements and see if you have too many or too few employees scheduled. Additionally, this capability allows you to easily view how schedule changes will impact your shift coverage.
Reduce overtime expenses
Our employee scheduling software allows you to instantly view shift coverage and hours scheduled. With this information readily available, you will be able to optimize your staffing and reduce overtime.
Communicate schedule information more effectively
Visual Staff Scheduler Pro scheduling software allows you to share schedule information by giving staff access to the schedule. Employees can then view available dates for requesting time-off, print individual schedules, and review schedule information as needed. And with the click of a button, you can send updated schedules via e-mail or publish them to your website.
Improve reporting capabilities
With the use of VSS Pro employee scheduling software, reporting is automated and query information can be used to find data for any time frame. Reports are formatted and ready to print in moments.
Employee Scheduling Software Customer Reviews
Read the following quotes to see how hotels, stores, gas stations, and other retail and hospitality companies benefit from using VSS Pro scheduling software:
“VSS Pro scheduling software is easy enough for small companies and comprehensive enough for large companies. I’m very satisfied with the software.”
COMPLIMENTARY SKIING & SNOWBOARDING: We want our employees to ski or ride our mountain! Full-Time employees receive a Season Pass for themselves, their spouse and dependent children. Seasonal Part-Time employees working a minimum of 16 hours per week will receive a Season Pass for themselves. Employees that return season after season earn increased skiing and snowboarding privileges.
COMPLIMENTARY SKI and SNOWBOARD LESSONS: Group ski/riding lessons are complimentary to all employees and their immediate family members (spouses and their children). We encourage all employees to learn to ski or snowboard or to increase their abilities.
COMPLIMENTARY SKI and SNOWBOARD RENTALS: All employees receive complimentary ski and snowboard rentals on an as available basis with a deposit of driver’s license or credit card.
CHILDREN’S SKI PROGRAM DISCOUNTS: The Adventure Center offers discounts on its full-day programs to 4 - 14 year-old children of employees. For employees a full day price is $20.
DAYCARE DISCOUNTS: Daycare is provided to employees on a space available basis at a discounted rate. For employees, full day prices are $25 ($35 includes ski lesson), half-day prices are $15. Reservations required (no reservations allowed for half-day... walk in only).
FOOD & BEVERAGE DISCOUNTS: All employees receive a 50% discount on food and non-alcoholic beverages in designated cafeterias, 30% discount in resort restaurants.
RETAIL DISCOUNTS: All employees receive a 30% discount in all Stowe Mountain Resort Sport and Gift Shops. This also includes Stowe Mountain Lodge's boutiques;; Atmosphere and Polo Ralph Lauren. The Spa at the Lodge offers a 50% discount on retail products only. There are no discounts for Spa services.
REDUCED LIFT TICKETS: Extended family qualify for a 30% discount off a full day lift ticket. See Human Resources or Guest Services for more information and who qualifies.
EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION PROGRAMS
FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN THE LOCAL AREA (Winter only)
SERVICE AWARDS AND STAFF EVENTS
Ground Round was well known in the 1970's and 1980's for its children's parties, showing old time silent movies and cartoons on a big screen, a mascot named Bingo the Clown, and for passing out whole peanuts where diners were not discouraged from throwing the shells on the floor, which became one of The Ground Round's more endearing qualities that attracted families with small children; they also often gave diners popcorn with their dinner, rather than bread. The newest incarnation of Ground Round doesn't support such behavior and markets to the adult dining and cocktails crowd, although families are still welcome (a mascot called the Ground Round Hound, an anthropomorphic hound dog, appears on the kids' menu).
Ground Round was also famous for their pay what you weigh (a penny per pound) and their free popcorn. At one time in the early 1980s there were over 300 locations. Overselling by parent co. Howard Johnson's Inc. led to the near collapse of the franchise in the late 1980s. A fire at the Yonkers, New York location, in which 1 patron and another employee were killed and left several others severely injured ended the peanut shell atmosphere and cost the parent company much in a negligence suit, that was at the time the highest award by a New York State jury for punitive damages. The Ground Round in York, Pennsylvania also burnt down.
In February 2004 the franchisor for Ground Round filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy; in the process, all 59 corporate-owned restaurants (almost half of the Ground Rounds then open) abruptly closed their doors.[1] A group of franchisees joined together in order to buy out the parent company, at the time Ground Round, Inc., and started the Ground Round Independent Owners Cooperative, LLC (GR IOC).
Bob Crowley has more than ten years experience as a Human Resources professional in the restaurant and hospitality industry. He joined the Ground Rounds parent company, American Hospitality Concepts, Inc., in 1996 as Director of Recruiting. He was soon promoted to his current position Director of Human Resources & Training. In this role, Bob oversees training & development, new restaurant openings, recruitment, employee relations, compensation, corporate events and communications to support more than 6,000 employees at 130 Ground Round locations in 20 states nationwide. Last year, the Ground Round chain was recognized as Employer of Choice by the National Restaurant Association for their exceptional efforts in the areas of employee recognition, retention and management development.
Prior to AHCI, Bob held several positions of increasing responsibility in Human Resources with companies including Sheraton Tara Hotel/The Flatley Co. in Braintree, MA, Back Bay Restaurant Group, Inc. in Boston, MA and Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI.
Bob is a member of both the Society for Human Resource Management and the Employment Management Association. He is a graduate of Curry College in Milton, MA and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management/Human Resources. He has been a guest speaker on the topics of recruitment, career planning, and diversity at Johnson & Wales University, the New York Hotel, Motel & Restaurant Show and Washington State University.
At the Ground Round Grill & Bar we take great pride in the quality of our food and customer experience. We offer casual dining, serving lunch and dinner.
We are conveniently located next to the Bridgewood Golf Course and the Best Western Bridgewood Resort Hotel & Conference Center in Neenah, WI.
Ground Round Mission & Vision
As one of America's oldest and most enduring casual theme restaurant chains with over 35 years of successful operation, the Ground Round Grill & Bar has a long and proud history. Our restaurant concept was the pioneer of casual dining, the fastest growing segment of the restaurant industry.
Through the years, the Ground Round Grill & Bar has adapted and evolved its brand image to fit the changing needs of our guests and their lifestyles. A lot has changed since 1969, but we've always been at the forefront of major trends, which have helped define the restaurant industry's casual dining segment over the last three decades.
Today, our company and brand is owned and operated by our franchise owners. This group of experienced and dedicated operators is poised to continue to upgrade the food quality and taste profiles of our Ground Round menu and product offerings. The franchise owners and leadership of the Ground Round brand operates under the company name of Independent Owners Cooperative, LLC; operating with more than 25 locations in 11 U.S. States.
Create staff schedules in less time
Ensure shift coverage
Reduce overtime expenses
Communicate schedule information more effectively
Improve reporting capabilities
Create schedules in less time
With our staff scheduling software, schedules are built more quickly, as you can use time-saving tools that rotate shifts, copy schedule patterns, and schedule groups of employees at one time.
Ensure shift coverage
With VSS Pro, you can input your staffing requirements and see if you have too many or too few employees scheduled. Additionally, this capability allows you to easily view how schedule changes will impact your shift coverage.
Reduce overtime expenses
Our employee scheduling software allows you to instantly view shift coverage and hours scheduled. With this information readily available, you will be able to optimize your staffing and reduce overtime.
Communicate schedule information more effectively
Visual Staff Scheduler Pro scheduling software allows you to share schedule information by giving staff access to the schedule. Employees can then view available dates for requesting time-off, print individual schedules, and review schedule information as needed. And with the click of a button, you can send updated schedules via e-mail or publish them to your website.
Improve reporting capabilities
With the use of VSS Pro employee scheduling software, reporting is automated and query information can be used to find data for any time frame. Reports are formatted and ready to print in moments.
Employee Scheduling Software Customer Reviews
Read the following quotes to see how hotels, stores, gas stations, and other retail and hospitality companies benefit from using VSS Pro scheduling software:
“VSS Pro scheduling software is easy enough for small companies and comprehensive enough for large companies. I’m very satisfied with the software.”
COMPLIMENTARY SKIING & SNOWBOARDING: We want our employees to ski or ride our mountain! Full-Time employees receive a Season Pass for themselves, their spouse and dependent children. Seasonal Part-Time employees working a minimum of 16 hours per week will receive a Season Pass for themselves. Employees that return season after season earn increased skiing and snowboarding privileges.
COMPLIMENTARY SKI and SNOWBOARD LESSONS: Group ski/riding lessons are complimentary to all employees and their immediate family members (spouses and their children). We encourage all employees to learn to ski or snowboard or to increase their abilities.
COMPLIMENTARY SKI and SNOWBOARD RENTALS: All employees receive complimentary ski and snowboard rentals on an as available basis with a deposit of driver’s license or credit card.
CHILDREN’S SKI PROGRAM DISCOUNTS: The Adventure Center offers discounts on its full-day programs to 4 - 14 year-old children of employees. For employees a full day price is $20.
DAYCARE DISCOUNTS: Daycare is provided to employees on a space available basis at a discounted rate. For employees, full day prices are $25 ($35 includes ski lesson), half-day prices are $15. Reservations required (no reservations allowed for half-day... walk in only).
FOOD & BEVERAGE DISCOUNTS: All employees receive a 50% discount on food and non-alcoholic beverages in designated cafeterias, 30% discount in resort restaurants.
RETAIL DISCOUNTS: All employees receive a 30% discount in all Stowe Mountain Resort Sport and Gift Shops. This also includes Stowe Mountain Lodge's boutiques;; Atmosphere and Polo Ralph Lauren. The Spa at the Lodge offers a 50% discount on retail products only. There are no discounts for Spa services.
REDUCED LIFT TICKETS: Extended family qualify for a 30% discount off a full day lift ticket. See Human Resources or Guest Services for more information and who qualifies.
EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION PROGRAMS
FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN THE LOCAL AREA (Winter only)
SERVICE AWARDS AND STAFF EVENTS
Last edited: