P.J.W. Restaurant Group announced that Bob Platzer, president and CEO, has been awarded the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2017 in Greater Philadelphia. Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs and celebrates individuals who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in areas such as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Platzer was selected as the winner in the Hospitality Service category at a gala held on June 7 at the Kimmel Center for Performing Arts.

As a 14-year old dishwasher, Bob Platzer immediately knew he belonged in the restaurant business. Five decades later, the entire region knows it too through his pioneering passion and determination that built the thriving P.J.W. Restaurant Group. Set to open his 20th restaurant, Platzer’s vision combined with his willingness to take calculated risks have created one of the largest and most successful family-owned restaurant groups in the Delaware Valley, serving great food with good company and providing jobs for more than 1,600 full and part-time employees. 

The P.J.W. Restaurant Group has grown into four unique dining concepts: P.J. Whelihan’s; The Pour House; The ChopHouse and Treno Pizza Bar throughout NJ and PA. Platzer, who continues to set new growth objectives, invests in the communities where the restaurants operate and constantly nurtures the family-like culture essential to the group’s success.

“This is a great honor and I’m humbled to be included with such impressive business leaders,” says Platzer. “I wouldn’t be here without the support of all the people behind me: my wife and daughters; over 1,600 employees; professional services teams and most importantly our customers, whose loyalty and appetites for P.J.s have kept us growing for more than 30 years. As they say in the restaurant business, it took a lot of blood, sweat and beers and I couldn’t be prouder or more grateful for the recognition.”