Ashby Hospitality Group (AHG) is a multi-concept restaurant group with more than 300 employees at six restaurants (three McGlynn’s, Deer Park Tavern, Cantwell’s, and 8th and Union Kitchen) and a food truck (the Roaming Raven). The restaurant concepts include sports bars, family restaurants, a historic college bar, and craft food — and the company also caters weddings.
Business has always been a part of the Ashbys’ daily family life. President Marc Ashby says the family grew up going to dinner at the restaurants multiple times per week so they could be with Bob while he was watching the restaurants
and many family get-togethers were hosted there too.
As the kids started working at the restaurants, the roles, rules and communication were always very clear. They were to be treated as any other employee, reporting directly to managers as any dishwasher, cook, hostess, or server would. As they moved into management, they had more direct interaction with Bob than other managers, but the same rules applied.
Company officials say their favorite award/recognition is Favorite Neighborhood Restaurant. But they are also proud of two acquisitions.
Bob purchased the historic Deer Park Tavern, an iconic landmark near the University of Delaware since 1851, in 2001 and set about returning to its former glory. It took six months of extensive renovations to restore the building to the way it looked in 1914. It was a huge undertaking and it proudly stands today as the “Gem of Main Street.” In 2011, another historic property got Bob’s attention. The Historic Odessa Foundation, in partnership with Ashby Hospitality Group, reopened Cantwell’s Tavern in the center of Odessa. The former hotel is now a charming restaurant where locals gather and visitors can rest their feet after a day of touring.
Headquarters:
Newark
Founded:
1983
Industry:
Retail
Full-time employees:
200
Family members:
10
Website:
Ashby-hospitality.com
Fun fact:
Bob and Sandy Ashby met at Deer Park Tavern, and Marc and Sarah also met there when he was in college.
