our brochure

A Successful Recipe For 125 Years
Managed Services • Catering • Restaurants • Consulting
A
partnership
in
excellence
What Lessing's Brings to the Table
1
Lessing’s has been a major force in the food service industry for well over a century. Since our inception in 1890,
six generations of the Lessing family have been managing every aspect of our operations, and continue to do
so today.
2
A highly-respected name, Lessing’s has spent 125 years earning its sterling reputation for honesty,
trustworthiness, and unsurpassed service. No other food service can claim such longevity of excellence.
3
We have the experience to execute all of your food service demands. Our certified dietician, design and culinary
experts are always available to ensure your dining experiences are exemplary.
4
Lessing’s currently operates over 100 dining locations across the Northeast including schools, college campuses,
camps and corporations.
5
The Company’s top management team will always be available to provide whatever services you require. The team
is comprised of: Michael Lessing, President; John S Lessing, Jr., Executive Vice President; Scott McKelvey, CFO; Mark
Lessing, Executive Vice President; David Lessing, Director of Business Development; Guy Reuge, Culinary Director;
and Kevin Lessing, Billy Johnson and John DiPonzio the Executive Directors of the LFSM Operating Committee.
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You have our guarantee that we will only use the highest quality food service available. Furthermore our
purchasing power and knowledge ensures both quality and price efficiencies.
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We have an experienced labor pool of over 1,000 trained employees ready to provide first class service to our
clients.
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Our size and scope of operation enables us to meet any food service needs ranging from full service cafés, to a
simple breakfast service for 10 in the corporate dining room, or an off-site company picnic for 5,000 people or
more.
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Lessing’s believes that the customer truly comes first and we are accountable to all of our clients concerns. We
encourage frequent performance meetings to make sure all of our client’s expectations are being met.
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A Foundation for Partnership
Founded by Maxwell Lessing in 1890 to provide services
to coffee shops primarily in lower Manhattan, Lessing’s
has long been one of the area’s major purveyors of food
and refreshment services to business, industry, and the
general public through a variety of operations.
Initially run as a proprietorship, the Company became
incorporated in 1917, operating its bake shop, commissary,
and other activities from a downtown location on Jones
Lane, which was situated parallel to Wall Street. Among
numerous accomplishments, Lessing’s can boast to being
the first company to “serve” the sandwich in New York’s
food service industry, as well as the one that first served
Coca-Cola in the Big Apple. By the late 1920’s, the
Company was serving meals to New York’s workforce in as
many as 20 locations, among them the famous Woolworth
Building.
Today, Lessing’s continues as a family owned-andoperated business with headquarters at 3500 Sunrise
Highway, Building 100, Suite 100, Great River, New
York - and draws on an extensive history of providing
effective, cost-efficient solutions to every type of food
service situation. This, combined with our commitment
to exceptional quality and personal attention regardless of
how many meals we serve, puts us in a unique competitive
position. Furthermore, from the standpoints of pricing
and performance, Lessing’s is able to boast dependable,
regular on-time service without any interruption in the
quality or delivery of its food.
Lessing’s was one of the very first companies involved
in the food service business when it established an
“in-house” cafeteria for American Cable and Wireless in
1928, A substantial portion of Lessing’s current revenue
still comes from contracts with private industry, as well as
state and local governments. From 1980 to 2015, we’ve
grown from less than $4 million in sales to more than
$70 million. More importantly, led by our experienced
management team, and supported by a strong organization,
Lessing’s continues its impressive growth with confidence
and anticipation of what’s to come in this, our third century
in business.
Lessing’s is organized into three fully-integrated
operating divisions:
1. Food Service Management
•Campus Services
•Corporate
•Vending
2. Catering, Special Events and Country Club Operations
3. Main Street and Fine Dining Restaurants
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We have the experience
In every way, we will not only meet, but substantially exceed the high operating
standards expected from a world-class catering operation.
Health Department Certification
As per county and state law, all necessary health permits for running a food service
establishment will be secured prior to operation. Similarly, all Lessing’s food operations
management personnel will have attended and successfully completed the required
local food certification course, enabling them to maintain our Company’s strict policies
regarding sanitation and cleanliness.
Menu and Food Preparation
The impressive qualifications and diverse background of Culinary Director Guy Reuge
enable our Company to continually monitor social and industry trends, create new, often
personalized menus, and improve our overall culinary presentation at every Lessing’s
location.
Chef Guy Reuge
After a successful 25-year run in St. James, Lessing’s Hospitality invited Reuge in 2009
to bring the Mirabelle Restaurant to the Three Village Inn in Stony Brook, New York. Guy
Reuge is currently the Culinary Director for Lessing’s, responsible for all on-premises
training, and evaluation of culinary personnel. Chef Rouge is also directly involved with
catering and café menu design and implementation for our clients on a continuing basis.
About Our Nutritionist
Lisa Suriano is a certified nutritionist holding a Master’s degree in Nutrition and Food
Science and specializing in school food service. As a nutrition expert, Lisa is on the board
of directors of the New York Coalition for Healthy School Food, a non-profit that works in
partnership with New York City’s Department of SchoolFood to improve the health of New
York state students. Additionally, Lisa has been featured in a selection of national and
regional media, including traditional print and broadcast as well as online news and social
media outlets. Featured broadcast segments include New York City news programs, such
as NBC Weekend Today in New York and WPIX Morning News, where Lisa shared with
viewers healthy, vegetarian recipes and discussed how viewers can incorporate healthy
food choices into their diets. Lisa has also made broadcast appearances on The Wendy
Williams Show, News 12 Brooklyn and News 12 New Jersey. Additionally, Lisa founded a
national nutrition education program, Veggiecation that introduces 1000s of American
children to the delicious world of vegetables.
Lisa Suriano, MS
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Food Service Management
Corporate Services
As stated earlier, Lessing’s has been serving the unique culinary needs of business and industry for well over a century. Our
involvement in the specialized field of cafeteria services was initiated when companies became overwhelmed in running their own
in-house food service facility. It is always our pleasure to serve great food in every corporate setting. With our team of chefs, Lessing’s
keeps ahead of the culinary trends in the industry. We routinely
streamline and improve our menus to the taste of the times as well
as to our customers. It is important to us that everyone we serve
walks in excited to eat our food, and this has made our corporate
dinning program a success. From cafeterias that feed more than
2,000 people daily to coffee stands, snack bars, vending machines,
and custom-catered functions, Lessing’s provides the complete
range of food services to satisfy every client’s specific needs.
Our cafeteria facilities are operated on either a profit-and-loss,
management fee or subsidy basis, depending upon specific client
requirements. We provide on-premises dining and vending, in
addition to food management consulting.
Through our reliable on-time performance and consistent quality,
we’ve been able to maintain continuously high levels of customer
satisfaction.
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Corporate Catering
Lessing’s can provide a full service high quality catering program that will offer both cutting edge culinary options and timely and
efficient service. Lessing’s onsite catering is a direct offshoot of our world class event catering, and as such provides the experience
of a private function in an corporate setting. Whether a continental breakfast for 10 or a first class executive dinner of any size.
We realize our catering services can range anywhere from staff meetings in the conference rooms, to executive quality boardroom
meetings and all levels and qualities in between. We will work hard to introduce our service to potential end users, making sure
that we understand the points of service that are important to each and every customer. We will offer continuous open lines of
communication so that the exact needs of our customers are met on a consistent basis.
In addition, Lessing’s has a pool of “on-call” catering experts that are only a phone call away. Whether an Executive Chef, Maitre D, or
experienced bartender, well trained catering professionals are available to provide support to your onsite foodservice team.
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Campus Services
Lessing’s has been proud to be serving the academic community for over 50 years. We recognize that students dining preferences
are always evolving. We believe in partnering with the faculty, staff and students so that we can deliver creative, healthy and well
balanced daily dining choices. We also know that every educational institution has specific dietary needs and concerns. Our on staff
chefs and nutritionist are available to customize menus to ensure that we meet all of your dining goals.
Colleges & Universities
When it comes to College Dining Programs, Lessing’s creates a dining environment that will suit any taste. From fresh-made pizza
to customized salads and daily changing hot foods, each student will find something to enjoy every day. By using specialized kiosks
such as Einstein Brother Bagels and Starbucks we can offer alternatives to our traditional dining choices as well. Our campus dining
facilities are designed to promote a social environment where students can gather together to enjoy meals throughout the day.
We currently supply the food service for:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center
St. John's University, Oakdale Campus
St. Joseph's College, Patchogue
Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry & Bronx Campus
Ulster County Community College, Ulster NY
Jamestown Community College, Jamestown NY
• Manchester Community College, Manchester CT
• Goodwin College, East Hartford CT
• Community College of Rhode Island, Warwick, Lincoln,
Providence & Newport Campuses
• Schenectady County Community College, Schenectady NY
School and Campus Catering
In addition to servicing your daily food requirements, Lessing’s is always ready to cater any of your functions. This could be anything
from a breakfast meeting, student picnic, or a commencement reception. We will deliver top quality food and service to compliment
any event that you may plan. We want to be your full service campus dining provider. With our long experience in educational food
service and utilizing cutting edge technology, Lessing’s promises to deliver an enjoyable dining experience for all your students, faculty
and staff.
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Some Of Our Clients
Mercy College
In July 2008 Lessing's took over the food service at Mercy College at both Dobbs Ferry and Bronx
campuses. There are a total of 10,000 students including 600 dorm students. By improving the
layout of the cafe, adding new equipment and offering healthier food options we have been able to
improve service and quality of the operation.
Harris Corporation
Our relationship with Harris RF Communications dates back to 2005 The Harris accounts are made
up of three individual dining centers located throughout the Rochester, NY area. As their food service
provider, Lessing’s is also responsible for all their catering needs. These events can be as simple as a
continental breakfast for a morning meeting to a high profile event for VIP visitors and clients.
Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center
Lessing’s partnered with Touro Law School in August of 2013. We operate under Jewish auspices
and all of our food service and kitchens have to be strictly kosher as is certified by the Vaad
Harabonim of Queens. Lessing’s provides meat and dairy café services for Touro’s students, staff
and faculty. Lessing’s also provides comprehensive kosher catering for the Touro community.
Nikon
Nikon has a full service café that includes a salad station, sandwich station, and a full grilling
operation. We also provide a full coffee and beverage service along with our quick to go option that
is offered all day.
Community College of Rhode Island
Lessing’s completed a full renovation of this dining hall in the winter of 2012 accommodating their
16,000 students and four campuses. Focusing on providing healthy options in the college setting,
we designed a quick “to - go” station offering fresh sandwiches, salads and action stations. This
was met with enthusiasm from both students and faculty.
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Marketing & Branding
Lessing’s believes in delivering the best products and brands available to our dining customers. We strive to deliver appealing and
varied menu options that we then market to our customers. We use state of the art video monitors to display our daily specials
along with our menu items. Effective communication with our customer base is a critical part of our marketing effort. We are
always using customer feedback to help customize your food service program to maximize client satisfaction.
A big part of our marketing efforts is centered on creating brands that identify different food choices available.
Lessing’s has created the following brands:
Fresh-made pizza with a variety of toppings for the
pizza lover in all of us.
Our professional chefs will create a variety of homecooked meals. With over 250 recipes, it will be hard
to get tired of these great entrees.
A combination of the best hot sandwiches including,
Black Angus burgers, chicken sandwiches, and hot
dogs.
Enjoy a variety of upscale specialty sandwiches on
a daily basis. With an assortment of fresh baked
breads and fresh local vegetables to top it off,
every sandwich will be a unique experience.
JAVA CITY KIOSK
Your personal salad chef will prepare you a salad
to your liking, with a variety of toppings and homemade dressings.
Serving a variety of coffee including fresh brewed,
espressos, frappuccinos, teas, milk shakes and
smoothies.
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Nutrition
Sustainability
Lessing’s understands that our
customers want healthy choices
on a daily basis. In order to deliver
these healthy alternatives we
partnered with nutritionist Lisa
Suriano, MS and launched our
ho
Fresh Start program. This program
r
ice
ie
for a h ealth
is a comprehensive nutrition
program for our customers, clients
and employees. Locally grown seasonal fruits and vegetables
are prioritized in menu planning and incorporated into fresh
salads whenever possible. The Fresh Start criteria makes
sure that the food items offered are moderate in calories
(600 or less), total fat, sodium and cholesterol.
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e
tur
you
fu
fr
rt
esh s t a
Being in the food service business, there has been a great
focus on sustainability over the past few years. Lessing’s has
met and is trying to continually improve the sustainability of
its accounts. From organic wines to fresh local vegetables
and fruits we are buying local. In most of our accounts, we
have recycling bins set
up for plastic, metal and
paper. As a six generation
family business Lessing’s
is committed to continually
finding efficient ways to
operate in order to minimize
our environmental impact
on future generations.
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Main street and
Fine dining restaurants
Lessing’s operates a variety of restaurant establishments
on Long Island. While each is a unique facility catering to
a specific clientele or geographic location, all adhere to the
strictest standards of quality and customer amenities.
The Library Cafe
Our cafe menu items are often derived from popular items
from our restaurant menus.
Finnegan’s
The centerpiece of this literary hangout is a top shelf towering
over two stories, accessible by a vintage ladder. Located in the
heart of Farmingdale, inspiration is served to everyone.
The following is a listing of our restaurants:
Huntington's finest Irish Pub, known to have faithfully served
many a weary patron throughout its rich history. This famous
establishment exceeds expectations with its honest fare and
tasty grog, a favorite among the locals.
Main Street Restaurants
Maxwell’s
The Post Office Cafe
Nor’ rain, sleet, snow or dark of night keep’s them from their
appointed rounds. The Post Office, a known Babylon Village
hotspot, delivers a unique style and warmth for all seasons.
Fun for the entire family.
Library Cafe, Farmingdale
Post Office Café, Babylon
Our newest addition to the Lessing's family of restaurants is
a great new casual dining spot located right in the heart of
Islip, named after our founder, Maxwell Lessing. Maxwell's,
American Bar & Grille, offers the best of everything: an
innovative new menu, a family-friendly atmosphere, and a
chance for us to bring our trademark "Main Street" restaurant
style to our own hometown.
Maxwell’s, Islip
Finnegan's, Huntington
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View, Oakdale
Mirabelle Tavern, Stony Brook
Restaurant Mirabelle, Stony Brook
Mirabelle Tavern
The epitome of coziness, with its casual atmosphere and
combination of American comfort food and French bistro
classics.
The Southside Hotel
Built in 1928 by the Hughes family, Southside was run as
a hotel, restaurant, and speakeasy until Prohibition ended
and the bar was added in 1933. The Southside Hotel is one
of the few restaurant/bars on Long Island that has been in
continuous operation since Prohibition.
Waterfront Restaurant
View Restaurant
Elegant and renowned for its fine cuisine, this beautiful
restaurant overlooks Long Island’s Great South Bay in
Oakdale. Accessible by both land and sea (with free docking
for boats of all sizes), it offers a lovely canopied deck for
cocktail parties in addition to complete dining facilities.
Three Village Inn, Stony Brook
Fine Dining Restaurant
Restaurant Mirabelle
Balancing French & New American cuisines, Mirabelle
Restaurant is one of the top Long Island restaurants.
Garnering the top rating in both the New York Times and
Newsday.
B&B / Inn
Three Village Inn is a unique country inn overlooking historic
Stony Brook harbor. Long regarded as the crown jewel of Stony
Brook and one of Long Island’s great hotels. Come for the
day, spend the night! Relax and unwind in one of the cozy 22
guest rooms, some with fireplaces and harbor views.
In addition to traditional dining, View and Three Village Inn, as
well as many of the “Main Street” venues, also offer banquet
rooms for private functions, from birthdays and communions,
to fundraisers, corporate holiday parties and catered affairs.
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Special Events, Catering &
Country Clubs
For More Details on our Locations Visit lessings.com
Catering
Bourne Mansion, Oakdale
In the 125 years Lessing’s has been in business, we’ve catered many diverse,
even unusual groups. Through these experiences, we’ve learned that every client
is unique, with particular needs and desires. We possess the understanding to
provide for whatever special services are required. As of this writing, Lessing’s caters
approximately 850 weddings and more than 5,500 other functions annually at the
following locations:
360º East at Montauk Downs
Located in Montauk with panoramic views over-looking a Robert Trent Jones-designed
18-hole golf course, this beautiful setting is ideal for weddings and special events.
Blue Fox Run
This picturesque course along the Farmington River, in the shadows of Talcott
Mountains, features 27 holes for private and public golf. Mulligan's Restaurant offers
casual dining and catering for up to 200 guests.
Coindre Hall, Huntington Harbor
Bourne Mansion
On the Oakdale campus of St. John’s University, features many rooms for a variety of
functions. As the exclusive caterer at the Mansion, Lessing’s employs the luxurious
building and grounds for weddings and intimate functions, in addition to running the
on-campus food services.
Brentwood Country Club
Featuring a beautiful 50 acre golf course, fine cuisine and picturesque gardens,
serving one wedding at a time.
Château at Coindre Hall
Operated by Lessing's since 1995. Located in Huntington, a 40-room, 80,000-squarefoot mansion in the style of a medieval French chateau providing several rooms for
weddings.
Mansion at Timber Point, Great River
Indian Hill Country Club
Located in Newington, Connecticut, boasting a private golf course, beautifully
manicured lawns, an elegant interior and extraordinary service.
Mansion at Timber Point
This facility features two banquet rooms, plus a full-scale restaurant, bar and mobile
food cart.
Smithtown Landing Country Club
Here we operate three banquet rooms, two midway concession kiosks, and a pool
complex.
Three Village Inn, Stony Brook
Stonebridge CC, Smithtown
Smithtown Landing CC, Smithtown
360º East at Montauk Downs, Montauk
Stonebridge Country Club
A private country club open for public receptions, nestled on manicured grounds in Smithtown, New York.
The Mansion at West Sayville
Features one banquet room, plus a full-scale restaurant, bar and a midway concession kiosk.
The Pavilion at Sunken Meadow Park
A spacious beachfront facility on the Long Island Sound in Kings Park employed primarily for weddings and corporate
picnics.
Three Village Inn
Located in historic Stony Brook, New York and features 3 banquet rooms, restaurant, tavern and a 22 room hotel.
Whitby Castle
Sits on 126 acres in Rye, New York overlooking Milton Harbor and the Long Island Sound. It boasts a restaurant,
reception spaces and elegant ballrooms.
Special Events
Whatever you may have in mind for a particular affair - from a Hawaiian luau or western barbecue to a formal sit-down
dinner - Lessing’s has what it takes to ensure it’s a truly special event. Whether you’re holding a fundraiser or a golf
outing, our staff can tailor a menu perfectly suited to the occasion.
Pavilion at Sunken Meadow, Kings Park
The Mansion at West Sayville, Sayville
Whitby Castle, Rye
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Technology
Lessing’s firmly believes in utilizing emerging technology to
ensure that we will deliver the best food service management
available. Through our use of real time point of sale software we
can guarantee timely and accurate reports for our customers
review. We also employ state of the art inventory control
systems that allow us to constantly monitor our customer’s
food preferences. We use this information to modify our menus
to meet our clients’ needs. This inventory control also enables
us to always have the highest quality and freshest product
available at all times.
INVENTORY CONTROL
Analyzing real time data on sales and inventories helps our
marketing department come up with special promotions that
are aimed at increasing variety and customer satisfaction.
Through the use of online surveys and social media Lessing’s is
constantly communicating with the people they serve. Through
this direct and timely feedback we are able to react quickly to
always be providing the best food service available. Lessing’s
has a dedicated team that is constantly analyzing how we can
continue to increase customer satisfaction through cutting
edge technology.
Our philosophy is to build a strong partnership with our clients.
We believe that the efficient use of relevant technology helps
us to build strong relationships with our customers. We are
constantly researching new ways to capitalize on software
and hardware solutions to enhance our customers dining
experience.
Analytics
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For More Information Visit
lessings.com
3500 Sunrise Highway, Building 100, Suite 100, Great River, New York 11739
631.567.8200 • Fax. 631.567.8746 • lessings.com