Heart of America Group doesn?t just operate hotels and restaurants – it engineers, designs, builds, and operates them, all with the intent that the company will be owning them for many years and bringing value to customers and to the communities in which they reside.

The Moline, Illinois-based company has grown considerably since it opened its first restaurant in 1978, The Machine Shed, a 100-seat restaurant in Davenport, Iowa, that was dedicated to the American farmer.

Forty years later, the company, led by CEO Mike Whalen, owns and operates 35 hotels and restaurants in seven states, including Hilton, Marriott, and Holiday Inn & Suites locations, as well as brands including Johnny?s Italian Steakhouse, The Republic on Grand, Hotel Renovo, Wildwood Lodge, Thunder Bay Grille and The J Bar.

?We are unique in that we have a life-cycle mentality, rather than a simple initial cost mentality, when it comes to our properties,? Whalen says. ?We have a design department and five architects on staff, in addition to our own construction division. We place high value on the customer?s perception of us and their comfort while they are on our properties.?

That mentality particularly applies to the entrances of its hotels and restaurants, where Whalen seeks to not only provide a secure entry way for customers, but also an entrance that displays exellence in design, elegance, and quality – elevating the customer?s overall perception of the property.

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Source: boonedam.us