KaTom helps Roma Table bring Italian dining to Sevierville
Located in Sevierville, Tenn., Roma Table is the latest addition to the Collier Restaurant Group (CRG)—a family-owned network of restaurants located in the state's Smokey Mountain region.
You won't find many secluded booths at Roma Table; instead, an open room with family tables welcomes visitors. The restaurant was conceptualized by the late founder of CRG, Brent Collier, who was intrigued by family-style Italian restaurants featuring large gathering spaces. It's opening fulfilled one of his last goals
"He kind of pushed it, and then we lost him, and we kept pushing it," Collier's daughter, Elise Collier Massey, told KaTom.
Massey, now part of CRG's ownership, helped open Roma Table in a former TGI Fridays in January of 2024, creating a new look, new kitchen, and new name.
"The big family table was just so important," Massey said, "And we just kept moving off of that."
Roma Table's dining room brings people together. At one end of the restaurant, a private room with large windows hosts groups for wedding rehearsals, corporate retreats, or birthday parties. The adjacent wall opens to a patio for outdoor dining, creating an environment designed for casual gatherings, where folks can feel comfortable talking with neighboring diners. Tables inside the main dining room maintain the informal atmosphere for guests.
"They're eyeing a dish that's on a table, or they're talking about a ball game that might be on TV," Amanda Barnes, Director of Sales and Marketing for CRG, said.
A Local Partnership for a Local Restaurant
The restaurant's business plan contributes to a larger goal of its ownership: bringing the community together.
CRG is known for its efforts to help the community, supporting the Boys & Girls Club of the Smokey Mountains, public school systems, and local businesses.
"We love to source local," Massey said.
This made KaTom an easy choice when looking to outfit the restaurant. KaTom's Chef Supplies store is located within a few miles of most CRG restaurants, making it a go-to stop for the group's managers when they need a quick supply replacement.
Massey and other CRG team members turned to Strategic Accounts Manager Turner Whaley for help equipping the restaurant. Even though she hadn't worked with him in a professional capacity, Massey already knew Whaley through a family friendship. Now, he oversees most of CRG's accounts.
Having Whaley as a dedicated representative brought the corporate partnership to a personal level for Roma Table's team, as he would walk them through every detail of the job.
"He's either bringing the best news or the bad news, and that's why it's great to have such a relationship," Massey said.
Focused on Fresh and Family
In addition to a friendly atmosphere, Roma Table offers freshly cooked Italian dishes like pizza, pasta, and piadina.
"It gives them a sense of pride—our staff and our management and our servers—to be like 'Oh, we actually made that bucatini pasta,'" Barnes said.
This focus shaped the kitchen design as well.
KaTom outfitted the Roma Table kitchen with the necessary equipment, including a pizza oven and serving line. During the process, Whaley and other members of the KaTom team would offer advice on long-lasting appliances and specific models.
The kitchen's expo features an open design so guests can observe their dishes being assembled, creating a home-kitchen feel that brings the customers in as part of the community. "We want them to stop and see the love and technique of each dish," Barnes said.
Roma Table's community-oriented mission and scratch-made food has already earned the restaurant the trust of faithful regulars who "meet at Roma" to spend time together.
"We have a handful that are here every day," Massey said. "Our host follows them because she knows where they're going."
