Peter Demos

Peter Demos — President and CEO

Peter Demos began his restaurant career at the age of 12 as a dishwasher in his father’s Western Sizzlin’ restaurant. From that first job, he worked his way through nearly every position in the business, gaining firsthand experience in every aspect of restaurant operations.
He later attended the University of Missouri to study law, but ultimately realized his greatest passion was not practicing law, but building businesses and serving people through the restaurant industry.
In 1999, Peter returned to Demos’ Restaurants with a clear vision for the future and a commitment to growing the company while remaining true to the values on which it was founded.
Peter believes people choose to dine out for more than just a meal. “Our goal is simple,” he says. “We want every guest to leave in a better mood than when they arrived. The food matters, but so does every interaction, every detail, and every moment of the experience. We want to be known for always trying to do the right thing for our guests, our employees, and our community.”
Today, Peter continues to lead Demos’ Restaurants with a focus on exceptional hospitality, developing people, and creating memorable experiences that keep generations of families coming back.
kristin

Kristin Demos — Vice President of Brand & Marketing

Kristin Demos began her career with Demos’ Restaurants as a server and bartender while earning her degree from Middle Tennessee State University. It was there that she met her husband, Peter, and discovered a passion for hospitality and serving others. She later returned to the family business as Vice President of Brand and Marketing, working alongside her husband to help grow the brand, strengthen its culture, and enhance the guest experience.

A firm believer in giving back, Kristin is a dedicated volunteer in her community. She has held leadership and volunteer roles with Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital, Liberty’s Station, The Child Advocacy Center of Rutherford County, The Charity Circle, and many other organizations throughout Middle Tennessee.

Kristin and Peter are the proud parents of two children, Jamey and Karys, both of whom grew up working in the family restaurant. Beyond being a mother, one of Kristin’s greatest joys is seeing her children value the legacy their grandparents built. She is especially proud that Jamey has chosen to continue his career with Demos’ Restaurants and grateful for the dedication Karys brought during her years with the company. Watching the next generation embrace the family’s commitment to hospitality is, for Kristin, one of the most meaningful ways to honor the legacy of Mr. and Mrs. Demos.

Jim & Doris Demos, Founders

Jim Demos, founder of Demos’ Restaurants, began his hospitality journey at just nine years old working in his father’s restaurant before spending time in the theater world and eventually returning to the industry in 1972. After building and operating several successful Western Sizzlin’ franchises in Nashville, Jim and his wife, Doris, launched Demos’ Restaurants with a simple mission: serve great food with genuine hospitality at an affordable price. While Jim provided the operational vision, Doris became the heart of the company, instilling the high standards of customer service, employee training, and people-first culture that still define the brand today. Together, they built more than a restaurant business, they created an experience centered on making people feel welcomed, valued, and cared for long after they left the table.

Jim