Company: Maverick Southern Kitchens (formerly The Elliott Group)
Headquarters: Charleston, South Carolina
Industry: Restaurant
Company Size: Small (annual revenues of less than $50 million)

"The arts give us the opportunity to align ourselves with forces beyond day-to-day business survival. They enrich our lives and enhance our communities."
                - Richard Dixon Elliott, President and Owner

Objectives
To create a distinctive atmosphere for customers and employees, to support tourism in the Charleston area, and to increase revenues by attracting new and repeat customers.

Process

• Maverick Southern Kitchens provides in-kind support and services in its restaurants for various arts openings, galas and fundraising events. It also donates catering services and the use of its facility for performances, book signings, art exhibitions and poetry readings. Additionally, it commissions Charleston-based artists to create works that are displayed and are for sale in its restaurants.
• The company also contributes gift certificates and auction packages to arts organizations for fundraising events, and provides box lunches at no cost to the Charleston Symphony Orchestra League for its annual Designer Showhouse fundraising event.
• As part of its ongoing support of the College of Charleston’s Department of Theater, the company sponsors one performance each season, and donates food and beverages for the opening night reception of each production throughout the season.

Results
Maverick Southern Kitchens has grown substantially as a result of its partnership with the arts. The arts have helped it enhance the dining experience of its customers, and have helped the restaurants attract new and repeat patrons while increasing revenues. The company’s support also helps to increase appreciation of the arts and helps the arts build audiences.

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