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Pandemic Voices: Alex Smith, CEO of Atlas Restaurant Group

How one multi-concept independent restaurant group nearly doubled in size in the five years since the pandemic. By Lisa Jennings on Mar. 19, 2025
Alex Smith
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Alex Smith is CEO of the Atlas Restaurant Group, based in Baltimore, with 53 restaurants and 34 concepts in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Texas and Florida. For this group, the trauma of COVID-19 opened up opportunities for acquisition. And though finding workers to support growth has been a challenge, Smith says the labor landscape has eased, and he sees people increasingly returning to the industry.

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Covid 5 Years 
Lisa Jennings is a veteran restaurant industry reporter and editor who covers the fast-casual sector, independent restaurants and emerging chain concepts.
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