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“Whenever you’re away from home, our pineapple is in the window for you.” In the days when men sailed far from home for many months a pineapple placed in the window let them know where they were welcome. Today, the pineapple has become the international symbol for hospitality.”

our History

80 Years of Hospitality

For over 80 years the Cleveland, Ohio based Strang Corporation, has always been regarded as a leading premier hospitality company and an innovative service industry provider with a strong technology infrastructure. Remarkably, Strang Corporation remains a long-standing privately held company still owned and principally operated by members of the founding family. Strang Corporation is a diverse hospitality company having sister companies with restaurants across four states with over $100 million of managed sales and over 1,800 employees. Strang Corporation values cultivation of talented people who naturally excel with a passion for the hospitality profession. Building management teams dedicated to consistently delivering on a restaurant’s brand promise has been the cornerstone of success.

 
pineapple

Strang Corporation was founded in 1942 by Don Strang, Sr. when he opened a Howard Johnson’s Restaurant in the historic Lighthouse building on the shores of Lake Erie on Cleveland Ohio’s west side. From the start, the company was successful and opened two other restaurants as well. In the 1950’s the company expanded across state lines and developed a Howard Johnson’s restaurant in Chicago.

In the 1960’s, Don’s son, Don Strang Jr., entered the business and soon after, Strang Corporation developed its first hotel: a Howard Johnson’s Motor Lodge. It was a welcomed addition to the successful Chicago restaurant. The hotel grew into one of the highest occupancy hotels in the chain. In fact, it was named the “Outstanding Hotel of the Year” in 1991 by the Howard Johnson Company.

In addition to this hotel, Don Strang, Jr. expanded the corporation into fine dining custom concept restaurants creating the “Don’s Restaurants” brand. He also led the company into becoming a leading Red Barn restaurant franchisee, with 18 units by 1973. Today Don’s Pomeroy House and Don’s Lighthouse are two of the most popular custom concept destination restaurants in Northeast Ohio.

Strang Corporation’s reputation in the hospitality industry was such that it was sought out to take its first hotel management contract – the Christopher Inn, Columbus, Ohio. In addition, the corporation was awarded a management contract in the food and beverage operations of six Holiday Inns in the central U.S.

Strang Corporation experienced substantial changes and growth throughout the 1980’s led by the third generation, Donald W. Strang III, David E. Strang, and Peter W. Strang all started work at the Company after various experiences in hospitality companies outside the family business. In 1985 the Company launched the first of eighty-six Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar’s in five states that it developed over the next sixteen years under the Apple American brand. These Applebee’s units were sold in 2001.

In 2001, Strang Corporation opened its first Panera Bread Bakery in the Philadelphia market.  Now, Strang Corporation and its related entity, American Bread Company LLC, operate more than 40 Panera Bread Bakery Cafes in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware as well as two Don’s Restaurants in the Cleveland area.

Meet Our Leadership Team

Don Strang III

Chairman of the Board

Peter R. Strang

CEO

Peter W. Strang

COO

Matthew Garito

CFO

Strang Corporation

A History of Excellence in Hospitality

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Donald Strang III is Chairman and CEO of Strang Corporation, which currently operates two specialty restaurants (Don’s Lighthouse Grille and Don’s Pomeroy House) in Cleveland, Ohio. Don is also Chief Executive Officer of American Bread Company LLC (ABC), and American Salons LLC. American Bread Company operates over forty Panera Bread Bakery Cafes in the Philadelphia and Salt Lake City markets. American Salons operates six Sola Salons in Maryland and Ohio.

Previously, Don was the President and Chief Operating Officer for Apple American Group. Apple American Group, formed in 1984, was one of the first franchisees in the Applebee’s system and was one of its largest franchisees at the time of its sale in November 2001.

Don is currently on the Franchisee Advisory Council of Panera and is an active member of the Cleveland Chapter of  YPO Gold.

Don graduated from the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration and received his M.B.A. from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University.

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Pete Strang is the President of American Bread Company which operates over forty Panera Bread Bakery Cafes in the Philadelphia and Salt Lake City markets. Pete joined American Bread in 2013 where he started as a General Manager. In 2015 he was promoted to District Manager and was subsequently promoted to Director of Development prior to being named President in 2019.

Pete is currently an active member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) in Philadelphia, PA.

Pete graduated from Cornell University School of Hotel Administration and received his M.B.A from the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University.

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Peter Strang is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Strang Corporation, managing its two properties: Don’s Lighthouse and Don’s Pomeroy House in Cleveland, Ohio. In addition, he is Executive Vice President Development of American Bread Company where he is responsible for all site selection, construction, and remodels for the company’s Panera Cafes.

Previously, Peter served as the Chief Operating Officer of American Bread Company and Apple American, where he supervised over sixty Applebee’s restaurants.

Peter graduated from Cornell University School of Hotel Administration and received his M.B.A from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University.

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Matt Garito is the Chief Financial Officer of Strang Corporation and its affiliate entities including American Bread Company and American Salons.  Matt oversees all areas of corporate administration including finance, legal, insurance, IT and HR.  He has over 30 years of professional experience in these areas, having served previously in similar roles at companies of varying sizes and industries.  Most recently, he was CFO at a technology solutions firm from 2016 to 2022.

Matt currently serves as the President of the Brecksville Community Improvement Corporation, which guides development projects between local businesses and his city of residence.  He has served on other boards and committees including the United Way and volunteered as a coach/leader in various youth sports and civic organizations.

Matt graduated from the Lehigh University School of Business with a B.S. in Accountancy and maintains an active C.P.A. license with the state of OH.

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