Tom Frank

1958 - 2021

Tom Frank

Tom Frank's life on earth drew to a close on July 3, 2021 at the age of 63. Tom was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on June 11, 1958 and spent this life surrounded by a large, loving family. From early on, it was clear that Tom was a unique and creative thinker. And in his adulthood he became a "culture" guru and a thought-leader in the restaurant and hospitality industry.

After graduating from the University of Arizona, Tom worked his way up the ladder in the restaurant business and went from busboy, to waiter, to manager, to upper management and ownership, to becoming a consultant and "Modern Elder." In the 1980's he opened his own restaurant, the now legendary "Panic City" in Tempe, AZ. Tom later became part of the team that founded the world-famous P.F. Chang's restaurants. He was in charge of training and developing the culture of excellent service that helped launch P.F. Chang's into the stratosphere and made it an industry icon. Tom opened countless P.F. Chang's restaurants all over the country, and became a Market Partner in the Northwest region from Northern California to Washington.

Upon leaving P.F. Chang's, Tom opened a second restaurant venture of his own, Café Bistro in Scottsdale. He went on to form Round World Management and became a well-known restaurant consultant, with a focus on "Culture." His clientele included numerous celebrities, such as rock superstar, Santana: award-winning actress, Susan Sarandon; Baseball Hall-of Famer Willie McCovey, and others. During the COVID pandemic, Tom formed the "I'm Essential Project," with the goal of delivering the message that those who work in the service industry are truly essential workers. Tom was a charismatic speaker and a frequent seminar presenter and guest on podcasts. Tom's teachings and writings on service, tipping, and the importance of empowering employees, were innovative and made a lasting impact on the industry that will live on long after he is gone.

Kindness, thoughtfulness, empathy, intelligence, and love were qualities that Tom possessed and shared in abundance. He was a world traveler who squeezed every drop of life out of his years on this planet. People were drawn to Tom, and friends and family were his most prized possession. A perfect pastime for Tom was an intimate dinner with friends, filled with great food and interesting conversation.

Tom was preceded in death by his mother, Esther Berman Frank. He is survived by his father, Doug Frank (Karen); brothers Gary (Susan) and Bob (Sheryl), and sister Susan; by nieces Carla, Emily (Nick), and Quin; nephews Alex (Claire) and Anthony (Hannah); grand-nephews/nieces, Oliver, Daisy, and Isla; and by many, many close friends.

Tom had this message for his family: "I learned from (the modern philosopher) Buckminster Fuller that energy cannot be destroyed. LOVE is energy. Therefore, my love for you and from you lives on."

Services will be held online via Zoom on Sunday, July 11, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. PST.