About Larson Companies

OUR COMPANY

Larson Companies is a commercial real estate development and property management company in the Midwest, focused on the industries of hospitality, lodging, food & beverage, office and retail. Larson Companies invests in raw land for commercial development and purchases existing commercial real estate assets. In addition, Larson Companies effectively and efficiently manages properties for other investors and has for over three decades. In over 30 years, Larson Companies has worked on more than 100 projects, with 25 renowned brands, and over a million square feet of office and retail space. Larson Companies is affiliated with beloved brands such as Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites, Johnny's Italian Steakhouse, and The Lakely and The Oxbow Hotel.

Larson Companies is very focused on philanthropy, contributing financially as well as generously giving of time and expertise to various charities and foundations. Over the years, Larson Companies, its Principals and Associates have given millions of dollars to organizations in the communities they serve.

Larson Company businesses and their teams have received numerous awards and important recognitions including: Franchise of the Year (multiple), Franchise Operator of the Year (multiple), Highest Percentage Comp Store Sales (multiple), General Manager of the Year (multiple), Community Affairs Awards, Community Development Awards, Quality Excellence Awards (multiple) and J.D. Power Guest Satisfaction Awards, to name a few.

SEE OUR WORK

 

OUR MISSION

Larson Companies sole mission is to delight our Guests first and foremost, our team members, and our stakeholders. Our Guests are the heart of Larson Companies.

 

OUR VISION

At Larson Companies, we adhere to the following pillars of our Vision: Commit to Excellence. Consistent Execution of Standards. Recognize Potential. Reward Accomplishments. Challenge Ideas and Support Decisions. Promote a Culture of Trust and Respect. Hold Ourselves and Each Other Accountable. Passionately Guard Who Plays on our Team. Have Fun.

 

OUR SENIOR LEADERSHIP

Richard D. Larson, Principal, is founder and Chairman of Larson Companies. He is a graduate of St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota and has been a business leader in the Eau Claire Wisconsin area since the early 1960’s. He founded Northwest Fabrics, Inc. in 1963 and by 1978 had expanded the company to include 70 stores. Mr. Larson is Chairman and Co-owner of Keystone Corporation, and 900-plus acre commercial and residential development in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He also owns individually in partnership with family members, and through corporate interests, shopping centers, apartment complexes, raw land development companies, office buildings and warehouse facilities in the Midwest.  He actively served on the Board of Directors for many community oriented organizations, such as Luther Hospital, Boy Scouts of America, Eau Claire, Area Industrial Development Corporation, Eau Claire Regional Arts Council, University of Wisconsin Foundation and YMCA.

 

Thomas G. Larson is the President/Principal of Larson Management, Inc. and related entities. He is responsible for all divisions within Larson Companies, including over $50 million in annual revenue, full balance sheet accountability and over 500 employees. Mr. Larson is involved in the ownership and management of hospitality properties, shopping centers, apartment complexes, office buildings, warehouse facilities and raw land development companies in the Upper Midwest. He also participates as a seated member of a variety of local and regional Committees and Boards of Directors. Prior to joining Larson Management, Inc., Mr. Larson was an Investment Officer and Analyst with R.W. Baird Co. Inc, a Milwaukee Wisconsin based investment banking firm. A native of Wisconsin, he attended Montana State University and the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire.

 

OUR STORY, OUR HISTORY: "To Know What a Company Is, You Indeed Need Know Where a Company Has Been."

 

1963 - Founder Richard Larson opens Northwest Fabrics in Eau Claire, WI. The Company expands to 35 stores. Northwest Fabrics then merges with Peavey Company of Minneapolis. While Richard is corporate vice-president of Peavey Co through 1978, Northwest Fabrics grows to a 120 store system

 

1975 - Larson Properties is formed

 

1978 - Eau Claire’s 900 acre Bullis Farm is purchased. Later, a partnership with Ayres Associates is formed to create Keystone Corporation, which continues today as the developer of the area that includes the Oakwood Mall and Oakwood Hills in Eau Claire, Wisconsin

 

1979 - R.D. Larson Companies is formed

 

1991 - Larson Property Management is formed

 

1992 - Civic Center Inn is converted to Holiday Inn Convention Center & Ray Wachs Civic Center in Eau Claire, WI is purchased

 

1994 - Days Inn University South converts to Holiday Inn Campus Area

 

1991-1995 - Multiple hospitality properties are purchased out of foreclosure and auction which are renovated and repositioned

 

1995 - Four TGI Friday’s in Wisconsin are acquired

 

1996 - TallyHo Restaurant and Bar is converted to Colbys Grill and Holiday Inn Express in Onalaska, WI is opened

 

1997 - Wisconsin Bistros is formed & Larson Companies becomes the Charter Franchisee of The Microtel Brand, which open properties in Onalaska, WI and Rochester, MN

 

1998 - Holiday Inn Convention Center is converted to Ramada Inn Convention Center, Microtel Inns are opened in Eagan, MN and Bloomington, MN

 

1999 - Thomas Larson, President of Larson Investments, LLC, named Microtel Inn & Suites Franchisee of the Year (Larson earns the award again in 2002 along with Developer of the Year award)

 

2000 - Colby’s Grill is converted to Green Mill Restaurant and Bar

 

2002 - Holiday Inn Campus Area received the Six Continents Hotels 2002 Renovation Award for an outstanding renovation program

 

2004 - Microtel/Larson Companies receives J.D. Power recognition third year in a row for Microtel Inns and Suites; Holiday Inn Campus Area receives prestigious IHG Community Affairs Award

 

2005 - First TGI Friday’s in Nebraska is opened

 

2006 - Six TGI Friday’s located in the Upper Midwest are acquired and Wisconsin Bistros renamed Quantum Leap Restaurants, Inc.

 

2007 - Holiday Inn Express and Suites in Chippewa Falls, WI is opened and TGI Friday's in Eau Claire, WI is acquired

 

2010 - Full Cheese Ahead is formed

 

2011 - Larson Companies opens first Chedd’s Gourmet Grilled Cheese

 

2013 - Newly constructed 130 room Holiday Inn Eau Claire South opens and Johnny's Italian Steakhouse Eau Claire opens its doors; Holiday Inn Campus Area is converted to Clarion Hotel

 

2016 - Staybridge Suites opens in the River Prairie area of Altoona, WI; The Lakely Restaurant and The Oxbow Hotel open in Downtown Eau Claire, WI; TGI Friday's are Sold.

 

2017 - Cowboy Jack's in Altoona, WI opens its doors; Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Rice Lake, WI is opened

 

2018 -  Candlewood Suites in Eau Claire, WI to open its doors in October, 2018; Holiday Inn Express Eau Claire, Hallie and Rice Lake receive coveted Quality of Excellence Awards from IHG