Restaurant Public Relations Firm DFPR Welcomes Hickory Tavern to Expanding Agency Roster

Charlotte-based restaurant public relations firm DFPR today announced that Hickory Tavern has joined its growing agency roster of partners. As the PR AOR for the brand, DFPR will provide an array of strategic communications counsel, including public relations, media relations and local restaurant marketing support.

“It is very apparent that the partners at DFPR are long-time fans of our brand and that went a long way in our decision to add them to our team,” said Hickory Tavern CMO Thom Perez. “They did their homework and more importantly, they did it in our restaurants.”

Hickory Tavern, a family-friendly, sports-passionate neighborhood restaurant and bar with an upscale menu, currently has 22 locations and is growing. Perhaps best known for being named runner up in ESPN’s Best Sports Bar in North America or being cited by The Bleacher Report as the best local bar in the NFL city of Charlotte, the brand recently expanded its footprint with 5 new openings in 2015, including Memphis, Winston-Salem, NC, Birmingham, Alabama, Indian Land, SC and most recently, Rock Hill, SC.

“Yeah, this is going to be a tough gig, representing the hometown brand that I love. And there is one restaurant less than a mile from my home, so research should be easy too,” said Derek Farley, president of DFPR. “Hickory Tavern has it figured out and we understand based on in-person experience why it is the region’s premiere sports bar and we are thrilled to help them tell their great story.”

Linsey Beford, who joined DFPR as senior strategist earlier this year, will serve as account lead. Farley, managing partner and executive vice president Tom Beyer as well as Zane Beyer, manager of millennial thought, will also stay involved in all aspects of the partnership.

For the past decade, DFPR has served or is serving as the public relations agency of record for national restaurant chains such as Applebee’s, TGI Fridays, On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, Shoney’s, Arooga’s, JJ’s Red Hots, Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar, Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries, CUPS Frozen Yogurt, Paciugo, Fox & Hound and Champps. The agency is also PR AOR for Safe Step Walk-In Tub Co. and UFC GYM’s Franchise Company. The firm routinely wins national awards on behalf of its clients from third party organizations such as Bulldog Awards, The Communicator Awards and the League of American Communication Professionals.

Derek Farley Public Relations, LLC, – aka DFPR – with offices in Charlotte, Denver, Phoenix and San Diego, is a public relations firm specializing in news management, media relations, publicity and strategic communication. For more information, visit www.dfpr.com.

Founded in 1997, the Hickory Tavern brand has grown to include 22 restaurants in 13 communities across the southeastern United States. Its unique brand of casual dining, lively bar atmosphere, upscale menu and a passion for sports is universally inviting and the perfect dining destination no matter what time of day: Lunch, Happy Hour, Dinner, Late Night or Gameday. Perhaps best known for being named runner up in ESPN’s Best Sports Bar in North America or being cited by The Bleacher Report as the best local bar in the NFL city of Charlotte, the family-friendly brand recently expanded its footprint with 5 new openings in 2015, including Memphis, Winston-Salem, NC, Birmingham, Alabama, Indian Land, SC and most recently, Rock Hill, SC.