Atlanta’s Southern Proper Hospitality Group leads the restaurant industry with creative concepts, memorable experiences and impeccable service.

How do you define hospitality? It may mean kindness and generosity. Perhaps a passing smile and a welcoming warmth. Yet, beyond these definitions lies a genre of hospitality unlike any other in the nation–Southern hospitality. Southern hospitality is a feeling. It means going above and beyond with an attention to detail that makes guests feel like family. Creating a comfortable environment and a memorable experience, Southern hospitality is unforgettable.

For the Southern Proper Hospitality Group (sphospitality.com), the name says it all. The group of restaurateurs seek to shape the cultural fabric of Atlanta and beyond, a mission which channels through each of their dining experiences, including Gypsy Kitchen, The Big Ketch, Tin Lizzy’s Cantina, and The Southern Gentleman. Despite the wide range of cuisines and restaurant aesthetics available under the umbrella of SPHG, the group’s commitment to genuine service and intimate atmospheres remains constant.

Founding partners Mike Evertsen, Chris Hadermann, and John Piemonte focused on their creativity from the start. After graduating from Florida State University, the trio directed their passion into designing almost a dozen concepts, ranging from Pan-Mediterranean with a modern twist to casual seafood reminiscent of relaxing days at the beach. Previously named entrepreneurs of the year by the Buckhead Business Association, they made a conscious decision to not only excel in the hospitality industry but also in giving back to their community. Their support of organizations like the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, No Kid Hungry, and the neighborhood schools near their restaurants speaks to the hospitality they exhibit both inside and outside their communities. Having solidified themselves as a stalwart force behind some of Atlanta’s favorite restaurants, SPHG is beginning to take on new territory. Their recent expansion included a Washington, D.C. installation of the bohemian-style Gypsy Kitchen, with plans to enter the South Florida market next. As SPHG continues to be a trailblazer in the restaurant industry, their signature Southern hospitality will leave its mark on Georgia and beyond.