Ben Zandi has worked in the dining industry for over thirty years. Over the course of his career, Ben has been responsible for up to $75 million in annual sales, and supervised up to 1,200 associates at a given time. His experience includes retail operations, fast food, branded concepts, franchise relations, and more. His ability to effectively increase sales and operating profits while continuously improving guest and employee satisfaction is the key to his success.

Ben truly loves providing culinary and service excellence, and the Troutdale Kitchens family of restaurants and catering services is growing rapidly. He approaches the future with energy, excitement and as always, the love of great food.

It all started at the well known Troutdale Dining Room in Bristol, Tennessee. The restaurant is located in a beautifully restored Victorian home. The house itself is rich in history. It was originally built by the Vance family of Bristol, and lost during the Civil War. The house was later returned to the Vances.

Ben Zandi, CEO of Troutdale Kitchens, purchased the Dining Room and did everything in his power to maintain the local connection to the restaurant while continuing a mission to improve and expand. His extensive experience in the corporate world of Mariott allowed Zandi to apply effective management techniques to make the five star restaurant an even bigger success year after year.

Realizing that there was more to be done in the industry, Troutdale Kitchens was born in order to fully realize the potential of the company. Expanding into advanced catering services and casual dining was the first order of business, but soon the TK approach was applied to nearby country clubs and lodging.

Now, with numerous ventures  the sky is the limit as the enterprise moves ahead, applying long-term solutions to a wide variety of facilities across the Southeast and beyond.

BEN AND DEBRA ZANDI

Ben and Debra Zandi, along with their daughter Sara, became the  owners of the Troutdale Dining Room in September 2001. Owning the Troutdale has been a dream come true for all of them.

Ben had always dreamed of having a restaurant of his own, and he brings 24 years of hospitality industry experience from San Fransisco, CA to Boston, MA. Ben truly loves providing culinary and service excellence, while playing host to “the best customers in the world.”

Ben Zandi has worked in the dining industry for over thirty years. Over the course of his career, Ben has been responsible for up to $75 million in annual sales, and supervised up to 1,200 associates at a given time. His experience includes retail operations, fast food, branded concepts, franchise relations, and more. His ability to effectively increase sales and operating profits while continuously improving guest and employee satisfaction is the key to his success. Ben understands that to make a dining business successful, you must continually generate innovative ideas to increase both sales and customer satisfaction. Some of Ben’s most creative ideas have included Cafe 70, a a carefully constructed cafeteria outsourcing solution; and his popular television cooking show, Culinary View: Home Edition, which features Troutdale chefs preparing gourmet meals in beautiful, $5oo,ooo+ homes. Sponsored by realtors, the show promotes both the Troutdale Dining Room and the homes, which are for sale. Ben truly loves providing culinary and service excellence, and the Troutdale Kitchens
family of restaurants and catering services is growing rapidly. He approaches the future with energy, excitement and as always, the love of great food.

The Zandi’s  feel very blessed to now be able to live in beautiful East Tennessee and  to realize their dream of restaurant ownership. They have lived in some of the most wonderful and exciting places in the world but are proud and honored to be able to call the Tri-Cities their home.

In  2007, the Zandi’s  launched Troutdale Kitchens.  The business has grown to include The Troutdale, Troutdale Catering,  Hale Springs Inn, Troutdale at Johnson City Country Club.  For all the details please visit the website – www.troutdalekitchens.com.