Our Story
Our Founder, Robert E. Lee, III
Hospitality as a calling, not a career.From dishwasher to mulit-unit owner, Lee’s path to success
A proud Detroit native, Robert’s first exposure to the hospitality industry was as a teenager at
the former Cappy’s Diner as a dishwasher. Little did he know that this first job which started as
just a way to earn money to support his need for all of the latest fashions (even to this day he
considers himself a prep), would later turn into a calling.
After high school graduation, Robert moved to Columbus to attend DeVry. To help with college expenses, he landed a part-time job at the former Holiday Inn Airport. He started as a banquet housemen and in a short time earned a promotion to banquet manager. Through this meteoric rise, he found his calling.
After high school graduation, Robert moved to Columbus to attend DeVry. To help with college expenses, he landed a part-time job at the former Holiday Inn Airport. He started as a banquet housemen and in a short time earned a promotion to banquet manager. Through this meteoric rise, he found his calling.
His hospitality home for 13 years became Columbus Hospitality:
the management company that
formerly operated Downtown Columbus’ Crowne Plaza and the Lofts Hotel, and now owner of
flagship properties throughout the country.
Robert’s mentor and Columbus Hospitality President, Charles LaGarce, continued to feed Robert’s hunger to learn and grow in the industry which led to positions in all areas of the hotel with increasingly more responsibility including Room Service Manager, Assistant Banquet Manager, Housekeeping and Sales Manager, Food and Beverage Director and ultimately General Manager of the Lofts Hotel.
Lee later opened Brownstone on Main and served as the Operating Partner. He moved on to be general manager of the Capital Club before launching into entrepreneurship and among his first ventures was taking over the once popular Linden Café.
Robert’s mentor and Columbus Hospitality President, Charles LaGarce, continued to feed Robert’s hunger to learn and grow in the industry which led to positions in all areas of the hotel with increasingly more responsibility including Room Service Manager, Assistant Banquet Manager, Housekeeping and Sales Manager, Food and Beverage Director and ultimately General Manager of the Lofts Hotel.
Lee later opened Brownstone on Main and served as the Operating Partner. He moved on to be general manager of the Capital Club before launching into entrepreneurship and among his first ventures was taking over the once popular Linden Café.
Robert’s entrée into franchising was with Tim Horton’s in 2011.
His first location was inside the airport which ultimately grew to an additional 3 locations on Columbus’ east side.
Donatos Chairwoman Jane Grote Abell and CEO Tom Krauss took notice of Lee’s acumen within the airport concession space which led to his now 10 year relationship as a Donatos Franchise Partner, operating two locations inside of CMH.
Lee often shares that African Americans are overrepresented in the industry’s entry level positions and grossly underrepresented at the management, leadership and ownership levels.
He prides himself in educating young people about the benefits of working in our industry, the skills once can develop and the career opportunities that exist. One of Lee’s greatest honors was serving as an adjunct instructor in Columbus State’s Hospitality Program where he shared his contagious enthusiasm for the industry with his students.