About EWU
In 1982 when Starkville decided to go “wet”, the first Harveys opened and was more nightclub than restaurant. Live entertainment six nights a week (not 7, only because the law did not allow it) and every kind of drink promotion known at the time, made Harveys the favorite bar and nightclub in town. The small 75 seat restaurant soon became a local’s favorite serving quality food and big portions at reasonable prices.
We start with this story, because the first Harveys filled a niche in the market, and 34 years and 19 restaurants later, “filling a niche” is still our preferred method of opening new locations.
Harvey Seifert, Myrrl Bean and her son John Bean were the original owners. Now with four concepts under their belt, Harvey gone and Myrrl retired, John, his brother Bernard Bean (the systems guy), Robin Fant (the deli guy), Robert Fort (the numbers guy) and Pat Campeau (the operations guy) still try to serve a quality food and generous portions at reasonable prices. Our company motto is Making People Happy!
Harveys, The Grills, Sweet Peppers Deli and Bulldog Burger Company are the restaurants that make up our Mississippi-based company. So if you are looking for a steak cooked over mesquite, some great bar food, a deli sandwich or salad, or the best burger in town, come check us out!
Executive Team
JOHN BEAN – PRESIDENT/CEO
John alongside his mother, Myrrl Bean, and Harvey Seifert opened the first of the Eat With Us restaurants, Harveys, in 1982. John is responsible for the executive supervision of the company. He describes his job as “making sure everyone is doing his or her job.”
John attended Mississippi State University and enjoys following his alma mater’s sports teams and playing golf.
BERNARD BEAN – CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER
Bernard began working for his family’s restaurant business in 1982. He continues to supervise the daily operations of all the different restaurant concepts by encouraging store management and team members to “see what our guests see.”
Bernard enjoys running and following Mississippi State sports, the college from which he graduated.
ROBIN FANT – VICE PRESIDENT / CTO
Robin began his restaurant career at Bulldog Deli in 1981 while attending college at Mississippi State University and then purchased in 1984. He was one of the founders responsible for creating the McAlisters Deli concept in 1992. Robin partnered with the Beans in 1997 to create and open Sweet Peppers Deli locations thus joining the Eat With Us Group. Robin oversees workplace systems and technology as well as operations.
Robin attended Mississippi State University and enjoys working out, following College Athletics and family activities.
ROBERT FORT – CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Robert began working with Eat With Us Group in 1985 in accounting and financial planning. He is responsible for financial planning for the entire group.
Hunting, gardening and sporting events are among his favorite hobbies. He is a 1990 graduate of Mississippi State University.
PAT CAMPEAU – MANAGING PARTNER
Pat began his career at the Eat With Us Group in 1983. He manages systems, specifications and quality compliance for the full-service restaurants within the organization. He enjoys the challenges of the restaurant business and the sense of accomplishment in seeing guests repeatedly enjoying their time spent in Eat With Us restaurants.
Pat attended Mississippi State University and graduated from the University of South Alabama. Pat enjoys following Bulldog sports as well as his family’s activities, tennis and tinkering with and restoring BMWs.
BRYANT BEAN – PARTNER
Bryant joined the Eat With Us Group in 2018 and has worked in management at Sweet Peppers Deli, Bulldog Burger Company, and Harveys. He graduated from Mississippi State University with a degree in Banking & Finance and worked in that profession for several years before joining the company. He enjoys carrying out our mission of “Making Guests Happy & Creating Great Guest Memories.”
Bryant enjoys spending time with his wife & kids, golf, and MSU athletics.
SHANNON MCPHERSON – DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING
MEREDITH FRASER – OFFICE MANAGER
A vital part of the Eat With Us Group, Meredith keeps business running smoothly. She began her employment in 2005. Her self-moniker, “Gal Monday through Friday,” is appropriate for her work in processing daily sales packets, coding and inputting invoices, supply requisitioning, overseeing the guest recovery program and managing online gift card orders.
Meredith spends her leisure time gardening, cooking and spending time with family and friends. She attended Heritage Academy and Mississippi State University.
ASHLEY WILSON – VP OF PEOPLE
Ashley began with Eat With Us in 2011 at Harveys in Columbus. She managed the restaurant for 6 years before starting her current role as Human Resources Director, involving recruiting, retention, and handling all payroll.
Ashley graduated from Mississippi University for Women with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication. She enjoys concerts, watching reality television and spending time with friends and family.
CHARLOTTE PHILLIPS – CONTROLLER
A member of the team since 2000, Charlotte’s responsibilities include financial reporting, budgeting, accounts payable, tax compliance, asset management and maintenance and vendor management. One of her favorite aspects of working at the Eat With Us Group is that it is a “small but large” company that has provided her with many challenges and rewards throughout the years.
Charlotte holds a BS degree in accounting from Mississippi University for Women and an MBA from Mississippi State University. She enjoys traveling the U.S., golf, reading, camping, and spending time with her granddaughters.
MATT BRONSKI – CORPORATE CHEF
Corporate Chef, Matt Bronski, is originally from Detroit, MI. He worked and trained under a European chef through the American Culinary Federation apprenticeship program and graduated in 1992 from the Oakland Community College in Farmington, MI. Matt has competed in the Culinary Olympics held in Europe. There he won gold in 1992, and silver in 1996 and 2000. Other accomplishments include achieving his Certified Executive Chef Certification.
Matt is a devoted Michigan Wolverines football supporter.
Chefs
OUR CHEFS – HARVEYS
HARVEYS STARKVILLE – ERIC STEWART
HARVEYS COLUMBUS – SHAWN DEAN
HARVEYS TUPELO – JOHN-DAVID BROWN
OUR CHEFS – GRILL
CENTRAL STATION GRILL – LEON JEFFERSON
JACKSON SQUARE GRILL – TIFFANY WILLIAMS
FAIRPARK GRILL – BRYAN TO
OUR CHEFS – BULLDOG BURGER
STARKVILLE – JUSTIN VERNER
TUPELO – JEFF MOORE
RIDGELAND – JARREN JACKSON