EST 1994
We are proud to have been part of the Madison food scene for 30 years!
It started with Monty’s Blue Plate Diner back in 1990. Since then the Food Fight Restaurant Group has grown to a collection of over 15 unique, locally owned concepts.
We believe our success comes from prioritizing the human experience—of both customers and employees. We've tried to be ahead of the curve in everything from pay and benefits, to dietary accommodations, kitchen innovations, community involvement, and more, with the simple mission to “Say Yes.”
A simple start
Monty Schiro opened his Blue Plate Diner in 1990, partnering with Madison developers Peder Moren and Joe Krupp. A few years later, they opened two more restaurants in town—officially founding the Food Fight Restaurant Group on December 17, 1994.
Through Monty’s local relationships, positive outlook, and a keen palate, he launched a pasta house and a delicatessen, then, a pizzeria, a taco joint, a steakhouse, and another diner. Each restaurant began with a concept to fit the neighborhood, then the perfect chef with the skill and persona to embody that concept. It worked—people were happy, and Food Fight grew.
Monty's legacy lives on in the current leaders at Food Fight. They continue to strive for restaurants that are clean and safe, enjoyable to work in, and pay a living wage with health insurance, vacation, and even options for ownership to employees—benefits formerly unheard of in the industry.
Food Fight also recognizes the need to include all diners, offering innovative vegetarian dishes from the very beginning, with strict safety protocols for allergies and cross-contamination.
Within Food Fight, many employees have stayed at the company for years. Celebrating 10-year or 20-year anniversaries is not uncommon for restaurant staff or in the main office.
Finding good people and keeping them is important to Food Fight, often promoting from within and encouraging career growth. In fact, Caitlin Suemnicht, the current Food Fight CEO, began by greeting guests behind the host stand at Johnny Delmonico’s Steakhouse.
Aiming to fit the needs of each neighborhood, Food Fight offers unique experiences across Madison and all around the Capitol Square. With such a presence throughout the city, Food Fight employees are of course involved in a variety of community events and tourism efforts, inviting folks to Madison as ambassadors of delicious hospitality.
Community involvement and giving back has always been a priority, hosting annual fundraisers for a local foodbank, and often donating proceeds, food, and gift cards to a wide variety of organizations.