Theo’s (Fayetteville & Rogers), East Side Grill, Southern Food Co., and Tusker’s Tavern- Todd & Marti Martin

On this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we talk with Todd and Marti Martin. They own Theo’s in Fayetteville and Rogers, the East Side Grill, Tuskers Tavern and the Southern Food Company, which was their first restaurant.

Before that interview, we hear from Odd Soul owner Jeffro Brown about something that they have going on this week. On Thursday, they’ll be starting campaigns to pre-buy pizzas for those in the area that aren’t as fortunate. They’ll also be hosting a fundraiser to help erase one school’s lunch debt.  Again, it happens tomorrow, Thursday November 21st from 5 to 9 at the Odd Soul in downtown Springdale.

And there’s something going on tonight (if you’re listening to this on Wednesday, November 20th)! Callisto in Bentonville is having their grand opening from 4 to 11pm. 10% of all proceeds will go to Gather to Scatter- a non-profit committed to gathering community resources and extending them to those in need. Would absolutely recommend getting reservations as it’s already a very popular place!

Now back to Marti and Todd Martin. They’re retirees, but they’re not old. In fact, they might be busier now than they were before retiring.

They met at the UofA, got married and had 3 girls. They’ll talk about their professional careers and how they ended up back in Fayetteville.

And why the restaurant business? The answer may not be what you think.

As their first restaurant, how did they get the Southern Food Company off the ground with no restaurant experience? They’ll talk about that.

Todd and Marti bought both Theo’s locations and the East Side Grill during Covid. How and why?? There’s a pretty good answer.

Finally, why did they open Tuskers Tavern right behind East Side Grill?

Some fun stories with Todd and Marti Martin, next, here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas!