706-549-7088
Q: Give a brief history of your business.
A: Manning Brothers was started in 1947 by Dick and Roy Manning in Hartwell, Ga. They moved to Athens in 1980 and died within a month of each other that year. Stewart Manning took over and continued to develop the business. In 2000, Chuck Day came on board after Stewart made him an offer. Day bought the business in 2009, right when the recession was killing everything. But, the company dug out, worked hard, burnt out many light bulbs staying late and continued to grow. The company now has 35 employees with office in Kentucky.
Q: What does your practice specialize in?
A: Manning Brothers main focus is in both design of restaurant and food service space, and in helping the customer get the best value for their dollar. It all starts with the menu. Design the space around that with room for expansion.
Q: How has COVID-19 impacted your business?
A: COVID-19 has had me change our business model to help our customers develop employee and customer safety through the stocking and sale of viruscidal sprays, soaps, masks, atomizers that kill germs, bacteria and viruses.
Q: Do you have any specials currently going on?
A: Our special promotion is to put together the right viruscidal killing solutions for the end user’s space whether it be social distancing floor stickers, masks or signs that say “mask required.” Our biggest promotion is dealing with restaurants that are drive thru, app pick up in store, or Uber Eats without opening the dining room to keep food at the proper temperature. Expanded Poly-Propolyne containers have been flying off the shelves.
Q: Is there anything else you would like customers to know about your business?
A: Ask questions, most restaurant people know what they want; it’s our job to get them the right item to fit their need. We are open to the public and we sell commercial items to the general populace. Some items have lifetime warranties and these are commercial prices.