Do what you know – it’s an age-old business axiom that has served Jim and Tom Lovelace, co-owners of NW Premier Investments, well. Over the last 21 years, the brothers have rarely experienced a negative sales trend, and are on the cusp of beginning another chapter in their Southwest Washington success story.
NW Premier Investments’ saga began in 1990, when Jim and Tom, Vancouver natives, decided to go into business for themselves. Both knew the restaurant business, having held upper management positions with McDonalds for a number of years. So, according to Tom, when they found two “Papa Aldo” stores for sale in Vancouver, it seemed a natural fit.
About that time, the Papa Aldo chain was sold to Papa Murphy’s and many existing franchise owners were unhappy with the change, according to Tom. The Lovelace brothers took advantage of this, and began buying Papa Murphy’s stores – and building new ones – along the I-5 corridor. Today, NW Premier Investments owns 30 Papa Murphy’s locations spread over 300 miles from the Canadian border to Vancouver.
A major aspect of their success, explained Tom, is investing time, money and effort on training their upper and middle management staff.
“People development is huge,” he said.
According to Tom, much of NW Premier Investments’ staff have been with the company for more than ten years – uncommon in the restaurant industry. With such a broad geographical spread, Jim said, “you have to have the right people, and they have to be on the same channel.”
While their Papa Murphy properties are doing well, Jim and Tom said they have identified a restaurant niche that isn’t currently being filled: gourmet hamburgers with a full-service twist. With that in mind, Brothers Restaurant was born. Jim and Tom said they wanted to locate their new venture in a location with some “buzz,” and eventually settled on a parcel at the corner of Southeast 1st Street and 192nd Avenue. The pair also considered Tigard, but “liked the idea of having it in our backyard.”
Having opened just this week, Brothers offers a full breakfast as well as burgers. The restaurant features indoor and outdoor seating, a rustic Pacific Northwest-inspired décor, and “impeccable service,” according to the Lovelaces. Customers can create their own burgers from a variety of meat and topping choices, or order one of the signature burgers such as the “Big Brother” and the “Family Tree.”
These names hint at the unique relationship Jim and Tom enjoy as brothers and business partners for twenty-plus years.
“We’re definitely different,” said Jim, “but our weak points balance out and we make a good team.”
“We’re very blessed to have that kind of relationship,” added Tom.
