Service is the Secret Ingredient at Doherty Enterprises, Inc.

Doherty Enterprises, Inc., owner of The Shannon Rose Pub, has been recognized by the Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN) as the 100th largest Food Service Company in the United States. The annual NRN Top 100 report ranks the largest restaurant chains and food service companies based on U.S. sales, unit counts, growth rates, market share and various other metrics. A chain or company needs to generate at least $380 million in domestic sales in its latest year to be considered.

“Doherty Enterprises is honored to have been ranked as the 100th Largest U.S. Food Service Company by Nation’s Restaurant News – a publication that is highly regarded within our industry," Doherty said. "We are firmly committed to our mission, which is to be the best food service company in the communities we serve."  

Edward M. Doherty, chairman and chief executive officer of Allendale-based Doherty Enterprises, Inc., began his company in 1985 when he acquired 19 Roy Rogers Restaurants. A graduate with a B.A. and M.B.A. from St. John’s University in Queens, Doherty rose through the ranks of Marriott Corporation gaining experience in real estate, marketing, franchising and operations management.  

In 1991, he obtained franchise rights for Applebee’s® Neighborhood Bar and Grill and became a multi-year winner of Applebee’s Franchisee of the Year and Neighbor of the Year awards, sold the Roy Rogers and TJ Cinnamon Bakeries he had acquired, and developed Chevy’s and Panera Bread Bakery Cafes. He then opened the original concept restaurants The Shannon Rose Irish Pub and Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas. 

His next venture is to open 20 Noodles and Company restaurants, in addition to one he just opened at the Gallery at Westbury Plaza on Long Island.  

Doherty’s children Tim, Shannon and Kerry, have followed their father into Doherty Enterprises and together they operate more than 140 restaurants, pubs and bakery cafes throughout the tri-state area with projected sales exceeding $315 million. 

The company’s recent acquisition of 38 Applebee’s in Florida and Georgia is about to significantly boost Doherty Enterprises ranking in NRN’s Top 100 for 2013. The new restaurants will help the company to achieve sales of close to $500 million. Doherty Enterprises plans to invest more than $10 million in remodeling the newly acquired restaurants. 

In 2014, Doherty Enterprises, Inc., has slated openings of a minimum of five new restaurants--three additional Panera Bread Bakery Cafes as well as an additional Spuntino and Quaker Steak and Lube.

Doherty Enterprises, Inc., is currently the 10th largest franchisee in the United States operating seven restaurant concepts--Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar, Panera Bread, Chevys Fresh Mex, Quaker Steak and Lube, and Noodles & Co.--and two Doherty original concepts--The Shannon Rose Irish Pub and Spuntino Wine Bar and Italian Tapas. 

Doherty Enterprises, Inc., has been the recipient of a number of awards recognizing its contribution as a New Jersey-based parent company for job creation and tax revenue. The restaurants have created business relationships with local food vendors, cleaning services, trash haulers, banks and maintenance companies.

In a world of dining choices, Doherty strives to provide enough choices to satisfy every palate. Doherty's vision to be the “Best Food Service Company in the Communities We Serve” continues daily to inspire their mission, as well as their loyal diners. 

Doherty's fondness for the neighborhood appeal of the Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar restaurants holds a special place in his heart. 

“The neighborhood stories of great people and the fabulous deeds throughout all of our locations never fail to amaze me,” he said.  

Doherty Enterprises, Inc. is wholly committed to its surrounding community. In 2012 alone, it participated in more than 1,500 community activities, events and projects. Employees donated more than 2,000 hours of volunteer services and raised more than $900,000 in financial contributions, items, and services. 

In the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, Doherty restaurants delivered food donations to many of the hardest-hit communities in the region. To learn more about the organization, please visit, www.DohertyInc.com.