Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the Levys?
Larry Levy is the Founder and Chairman of Levy Restaurants. In 1978, Larry and his brother founded the company with one deli in Chicago. After a rather rocky start, they called in their mother, Eadie, who revamped the menu and introduced her own style of heartfelt hospitality, turning the place around. As Company Mom (yes that's her actual title) Eadie Levy still works every day at her namesake, Mrs. Levy's Delicatessen. Now the extended Levy "family" is more than 15,000 strong in dozens of major cities worldwide.
Tell me about Levy's strategic partner, Compass Group? Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Compass Group, North American Division is a division of Compass Group PLC, listed on the London Stock Exchange. Compass Group is the world’s largest foodservice company. The Group operates in more than 90 countries, with leading market positions in the UK, Continental Europe, Australia and the US, combined with business in developing markets in Eastern Europe, South America and Asia. Compass Group employs more than 400,000 associates. Worldwide the Group has annual revenues of $19 billion. Compass Group, North American Division purchased a 49% interest in Levy Restaurants in September 2000.
What makes Levy Restaurants different from other foodservice groups?
We have an unparalleled depth of diversity in our portfolio, and we are committed to excellence in each and every thing we do. Whether it's the NBA All-Star Game at STAPLES Center or a power lunch at Bistro 110, we strive to create a memorable dining experience at our diverse venues.
Providing an exceptional experience for our external guests means identifying, training and satisfying our internal guests - our team members. Our philosophy of the inverted pyramid places the highest level of importance on the people who directly touch the guest. That means it's our servers, bussers, food runners and hosts who have the greatest impact on our business.
Is Levy Restaurants the same as the Levy Organization?
The name Levy Organization goes back over 25 years to our company's origin. Many people use Levy Restaurants and Levy Organization interchangeably. In actuality, Levy Restaurants is the name of our food business, including both the Restaurant and Sports & Entertainment Groups. Levy Organization refers to the commercial real estate division of the business.
What is the difference between the Restaurant and Sports & Entertainment Groups?
The Restaurant Group includes all of our unique restaurant concepts, from a quick-service deli like Mrs. Levy's to a fine-dining establishment like Spiaggia. The Sports & Entertainment Group, winners of the coveted Ivy Award in 2003, brings restaurant dining experiences to sports and entertainment venues worldwide. The innovative, industry-creating company is the market leader in premium foodservice at sports and entertainment facilities, including luxury suites, private clubs, in-seat service, concessions and private events at major and minor league sports stadiums, ballparks, arenas, convention centers, racetracks, zoos, and music festivals.
Do you have plans to expand to other cities?
As a family of passionate restaurateurs, we live "The Levy Difference" by creating great restaurant experiences wherever our innovative approach might take us. That's our Company vision. Restaurants will go wherever there is the demand and the right opportunity to provide great food and service. We are always on the lookout for expansion opportunities throughout the country and abroad. We recently added sports and entertainment venues in Puerto Rico and Memphis, as well as convention centers in Milwaukee, Jacksonville, Omaha and Pittsburgh.
What is the company's growth strategy?
Our growth has been phenomenal, and from our standpoint, there is no end in sight. Our expertise extends beyond food and service. What sets us apart from other foodservice companies is that we have the internal talent to create new concepts, define culinary trends, identify new sites and design new facilities. We have partnered with some of the most innovative and successful companies and, we like to believe that the most exciting project hasn't even walked in our door. By hiring the most talented and nice people, empowering them to perform to their potential and giving them the tools to do so, we believe our aggressive growth will continue for many years.
Does Levy do the food at any general concession stands at any Sports & Entertainment venues?
The only foodservice provider in the business currently operating award-winning restaurants, this Chicago-based company invented the concept of premium or fine dining in stadium and arena environments over 20 years ago. Many of our premium partners have asked us to create the concession experience for the fans of their facilities. Our quality reputation and passion for food and heartfelt hospitality is experienced by all the fans at many of our sports and entertainment locations today.
How did Levy invent the premium dining business that is the standard in sports & entertainment venues?
Levy Restaurants began its foray into the sports and entertainment foodservice business in 1982 when Levy agreed to cater the skyboxes at Comiskey Park, now U.S. Cellular Field, (home of the Chicago White Sox) in anticipation of “great tickets and a chance to see the World Series.” Levy Restaurants expanded in 1985 by adding Wrigley Field to its client list and grew outside of Chicago in 1994. The Company has continually added major and minor league facilities, convention centers, racetracks and even the Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral to its portfolio. Levy Restaurants has been recognized as one of the fastest growing foodservice companies in America (Nation’s Restaurant News) as a result. Levy has caters such high profile events as the Super Bowl, NBA and NHL All-Star and Championship Games, the World Series, the Major League All-Star Game, the Grammy Awards, and the Kentucky Derby.
Does Levy Restaurants have any international properties? We have the privilege of serving the guests of the Bell Centre in Montreal and the Rogers Centre (SkyDome) in Toronto. In late April 2004, we opened and are serving the fans of the state-of-the-art arena in Puerto Rico called the Coliseo De Puerto Rico.
How can I apply for a job?
Within the Careers section of our site, we offer a complete and updated listing of all available job postings, as well as an on-line application that automatically submits your application to Levy Restaurants. Simply complete the candidate profile, and your information will be directed to our Human Resources Department for consideration for appropriate positions.
Is it really as much fun as it sounds to work for Levy Restaurants?
Family. Passionate. Restaurateurs. These are our values and the words that you will hear our team members use to describe the work environment at Levy Restaurants. Experience it for yourself - put your best foot forward with a Levy career.
How many employees do you have?
We currently employ approximately 15,000 employees coast to coast.
Where is Levy Restaurants headquartered?
Sweet home Chicago. Levy Restaurants Home Office (that's what we call it) is located at 980 North Michigan Avenue; Chicago, Illinois 60611; 312.664.8200.
What is Levy Cares?
Levy Cares is the heart and soul of our Company. The Levy Cares motto guides all of our community involvement: "A smile is nothing until it is given away."
Specifically, Levy Cares is the charitable arm of Levy Restaurants. Our program is active nationally across all Levy locations and provides in-kind donations and volunteer time to children's causes, organizations dedicated to the care and feeding of the homeless and HIV/AIDS groups in each of our markets.
How can I purchase Gift Cards?
Levy Restaurants Gift Cards are gifts of great taste, and purchasing them is as easy as point-and-click. Purchase your Gift Cards on-line by completing the order form. You will receive your Gift Card(s) within 10 days. Levy Restaurants Gift Cards are accepted at: Bistro 100, Bistro 110, Bistro Toujours, Cafe Spiaggia, Founders Hall, Fulton's Crab House, Fulton's On The River, Jake Melnick's Corner Tap, Levy Events Catering, Portobello Yacht Club, Private Dining Rooms of Spiaggia, Spiaggia, Spratt's Kitchen & Market, Wolfgang Puck's Cafe and Wellshire Inn. You will receive Levy Preferred points for all Gift Card purchases. During the holidays, we offer special bonuses, so bookmark our site for one-stop holiday shopping.
How can I make reservations at a restaurant?
The Dining Experience section of our site includes a descriptive page about each one of our restaurants including their phone numbers and in many cases, a link to Open Table for on-line reservations.
Does Levy Restaurants have any smoke-free restaurants?
Our flagship Chicago restaurant, Spiaggia, is smoke-free in the dining room. All of our other venues allow smoking in designated areas only.
How can I get more information about your web site, including advertising and link opportunities?
Please contact our Levy Restaurants Marketing Department for any questions regarding the design, operation or marketing of our web site.
What is the Levy Preferred program? The Levy Preferred Program is our guest loyalty program that offers members an opportunity to earn dining certificates good at all of our restaurants.
How can I leave a comment or suggestion? Please visit the Contact Us section of our site to provide us with feedback or ask a more specific question.
I've enjoyed so many signature dishes at your locations. Can you share recipes with me?
Go through the Dining Experiences section of our site to find the Levy location where you dined. Each restaurant and venue has recipes to share. Make sure to visit often as our chefs will post new dishes throughout the seasons.