Tod Murphy, The Farmers Diner
Tod started his business career at 13 year old opening a skateboard shop and funding a demonstration team in his hometown in Connecticut. His first job was as a short-order cook in a family run creamery. Tod has worked for national chains such as Wendy's and Starbucks. In 1992 he started a retail coffee company with three other principals. As the Director of Operations he designed, built and opened 15 stores. Tod moved to Vermont in 1997 to begin farming as a hobby.
From his farming experience and multi-unit retail food experience Tod began the farmers diner. The restaurant has gained international acclaim because of its focus on sourcing and serving local food in a family dining atmosphere. The Farmers Diner is unique in the local food movement because the meals it serves are easily affordable by the farmers and producers who supply the restaurant.
Professional Experience
- 1998 - 2008 Founder and President - The Farmers Diner - Washington, VT
Conceived, researched and wrote business plan for food company | Recruited $300,000 in investments year to date | Negotiated and secured leases for company operations. - 1999 - 2005 Farmer - Starry Skies Sheep Dairy - Washington, VT
Built all physical infrastructure for 100 ewe sheep dairy | Imported high yielding dairy sheep and grew flock from 20 to 175 animals | Seasonal milking from May through October | Delivered fresh sheeps' milk to local cheese maker 3x a week. - 1997 - 1998 Director of Retail Operations - Green Mountain Coffee Roasters - Waterbury, VT
Assumed responsibility for division with annual losses of $250,000 | Increased store profitability by 30% | Moved and/or closed existing retail outlets | Reduced inventory from $300,000 to $20,000 | Wrote the divisions first five year business plan | Closed division as part of strategic planning for the entire company. - 1994 - 1997 Director of Operations - The Coffee Station, Inc. - New York, New York
Built company from $0 to $15,000,000 in annual revenues | Opened stores in Atlanta, Charolette and NYC markets - a total of 18 stores | Created all corporate operational and procedural systems | Established design criteria for all stores, kiosks and carts including aesthetic, and operations standards | Established vendor relations including product mix and pricing | Spearheaded training program for all northeast. - 1990 - 1992 Teacher - St. Thomas More School - Montville, CT
Taught Biology, Trigonometry and English to high school students | Dorm assistant for senior and post graduate dorm | Developed athletic training program for the schools scholarship athletes
Education
- BA English, Eastern Connecticut State University
- BS Physical Science, Eastern Connecticut State University
- MA Education, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT
- Special Student Program in Ancient Greek, Yale University, New Haven, CT
See This Guest in the following Events:
