If you have lived in Murfreesboro even for only for a couple of months, you are most likely aware of the Demos name. One of the premier steakhouses in Tennessee, located at 1115 NW Broad St. in Murfreesboro has been serving quality food for decades on the Demos family’s watch.

The Demos family has a rich history in food and in the community. I was able to sit down with Peter Demos to find out a bit more about what makes this restaurateur successful.

Peter’s grandparents immigrated to the U.S. from the small town of Poulithra, Greece, and started a restaurant in the Birmingham area. Jim Demos, Peter’s father, left the family restaurant business to become a manager for several motion picture theaters throughout the Southeast. But the restaurant business would prove to be in his blood. In 1974, Jim and Doris accepted an opportunity to own a Western Sizzlin’ in town and made Murfreesboro their home.

That business, on Southeast Broad, eventually became what many will remember as Trappers. Fifteen years later, the Demos’ would sell off Trappers to start the steak and spaghetti house we all know today. And that was really the beginning of the Demos name in Middle Tennessee. They were not limited to only one model of eatery, however. The popular restaurant Chesney’s was another spinoff brand, as well as the Toot’s franchise. At one time, the family had the lion’s share of the fine-dining tables in the city.

Peter grew up in the family business. He began work at the age of 12, doing a wide range of jobs at the original Western Sizzlin’. As he learned the business, he moved up through the managerial ranks.

A graduate of MTSU, he went on to law school, but, like his father, he realized the restaurant business was in his blood and he missed it.

“I didn’t realize how much I liked it, until I left it,” the Demos CEO stated. As his father was thinking of retirement and looking for an exit strategy, Peter officially took the reins in 2001 and purchased the business with his sister in 2009. Since then, they have grown the chain by two more locations, in Hendersonville and Lebanon (Demos also operated a popular downtown Nashville location for many years, but that one has since closed).

While at the helm, Peter has been no stranger to dealing with adversity. Right after he began running the day-to-day operations, the now-infamous 9/11 occurred. Under the COVID lockdowns, he and his team had to figure out how to implement curbside pickup. It was always a service they wanted to provide, but figuring out how to make it efficient was a challenge. The pandemic expedited the need to make it happen, though.

“We are constantly having to shift and adjust and think outside of the box,” the restaurateur said.

Currently, with national supply chain issues delaying shipments, the company is monitoring 96 ingredients or items that are in short supply, even including matching dishware. At one point, the steakhouse was down to just half-a-week’s supply of to-go boxes. Some may not think crayons are a necessity for dining in until one has to deal with unruly kids.

When asked what keeps him going in the turbulent times, Demos points to his faith.

“We use the Bible as the rule book of how we do things. There are so many that you can get: rules of business, rules of leadership, rules of teamwork,” Demos said. “We strive to look at those things, make certain to be in alignment with what God wants.”

For several years, Demos has relied on and has been willing to share his faith as a Christian. I made a 2018 blog post, A Time for Faith, about the meaning of the clocks on the wall at another restaurant owned by Demos. Peter goes on to cite Colossians 3:23 (“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters”) as a guide for his day-to-day life.

The Demos company also puts a lot of stock in its staff. Lately, the restaurant has changed its hours of operation in order to prevent employee fatigue. The owner understands the importance of having the right people and taking care of them. He points out if someone does not have passion for the work they do, the employer is depriving them of the opportunity to work where they can flourish.

“Some of the best advice I can give, is to understand when you have bad hires, it’s going to have an impact. For those who have an ability but not the attitude, you want to make a separation as fast as possible,” Demos said. “You do it not only for yourself, but for them.”

The latest manifestation of the Demos family name is the PDK Southern Kitchen & Pantry. With locations in Mt. Juliet and Bellevue, this brand will soon open a third store on Charlotte Avenue in Nashville.

“We recognize people are wanting faster food that is still higher quality,” Demos said. PDK offers casual dining as well as a gift area. So, whatever the reason or occasion, visit a Demos-owned restaurant. If you never have, you are missing out!