NoVA Restaurant Chain Plans To Expand To 100 Sites By 2027

RESTON, VA — Thompson Restaurants, a division of Reston-based Thompson Hospitality, recently reported a 12 percent year-over-year revenue increase in 2025 as it continued expanding its restaurant portfolio. The company said the growth was driven by expansion, brand development and operations across concepts including Milk & Honey, Makers Union, Wiseguy Pizza, Matchbox and Austin Grill.

According to the company, Thompson Restaurants opened or converted 11 locations in 2025 and is working toward a pace of about one new opening per month. It said its long-term goal is to reach 100 locations by the end of 2027 through organic growth, strategic acquisitions and non-traditional locations such as airports and college campuses.

“Our 2025 performance reflects our ability to scale thoughtfully while maintaining strong execution across a diverse set of concepts,” said Alex Berentzen, chief operating officer of Thompson Restaurants. “The strength of our team and our operating model positions us well to support continued growth without compromising quality or guest experience.”

The company said Milk & Honey was a significant driver of that momentum in 2025. The Southern-inspired brand added five locations last year, bringing its total to 19 restaurants, and four more locations are in development for 2026.

Beyond retail sites, Thompson Restaurants said it plans to expand in non-traditional venues this year. In collaboration with SSP America, a division of SSP Group, the company plans to open Wiseguy Pizza and Makers Union locations at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. It also said it is advancing expansion plans in Virginia's Tidewater area and evaluating opportunities in Pennsylvania and North Carolina as part of a broader multi-state strategy.

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The company also pointed to recent brand moves, including the return of Austin Grill with a new location now open in Potomac Falls, Virginia. It said Ms. Peach’s Southern Kitchen debuted in late 2025 as a tribute to Hattie Warren, the grandmother of Thompson Hospitality founder Warren Thompson. Thompson Restaurants also introduced Velocity Bar + Kitchen in 2026 as a new full-service concept.

“We’ve always believed that restaurants are about more than food, they are about culture, connection and community,” said Warren Thompson, founder and chairman of Thompson Hospitality. “As we grow Thompson Restaurants, our focus remains on building brands that have meaning and longevity while creating opportunities for our teams and the communities where we operate.”

In 2025, the company launched Thompson Table Rewards, a free loyalty program across all 15 brands. Thompson Restaurants said the program gives members one point for every dollar spent, includes birthday benefits and a $5 registration bonus, and has enrolled more than 200,000 members since launch. The company said it is also evaluating partnerships and acquisition opportunities in the DMV and South Florida.