Our Story
Brunch isn’t a time of Day, It’s a Feeling
We are the brand that bridges the gap between casual fine dining and breakfast. At our restaurant, you can enjoy all-day brunch items, great cocktails, and your favorite beers on tap. With a variety of seating styles, including “at the bar,” we create a memorable dining experience. Our new concept proves that all-day breakfast can be cool and sophisticated.
After a lifetime working in hospitality, our CEO Heather Rhodes realized that she wanted to create her own concept. Heather and her husband Steve love dining out, and their two little girls always wanted pancakes for dinner. They were regulars at a local breakfast place, but it was never open for dinner. This inspired the Hard Bean concept. They envisioned a casual place where their kids could enjoy pancakes for dinner, while they could enjoy great cocktails in a fun, upbeat setting like the places they love to frequent. As Heather says, “Brunch isn’t a time of day; it’s a feeling. We want to carry that feeling all hours.” With warm, friendly service, new and innovative food items, and creative cocktails, we hope you love our concept as much as we loved creating it.
Heather Rhodes
Heather Rhodes, our Owner/CEO, has worked for some heavy hitters in the business. After getting her first job at Cactus Club Café when she was 16, she fell in love with the Hospitality industry. After working for Cactus, she moved onto a local pub and helped them redefine their training and hiring systems. In this setting she learned a lot about building great customer relationships which in a pub setting regulars are everything. In 2008 she joined a growing brand called Browns Socialhouse. She has helped open, run and train staff for many locations over the years. Heather also has been a consultant in Training and Development for a local restaurant group with over 20+locations.
Geoff Morrison
Geoff Morrison, our Culinary Director, brings a wealth of experience from his time at Boston Pizza and Browns Socialhouse. He has built a strong reputation as both a chef and a kitchen trainer. During his tenure as a corporate trainer and chef with Browns Socialhouse, Geoff opened new restaurants and developed systems for both the kitchen and the bar. His expertise extends to inventory management, costing, and financials, all of which he has successfully implemented.
Tyler Schuster
Our Director of Operations, Tyler Schuster, brings 18 years of hospitality industry experience from brands like Browns Socialhouse and Romer’s Burger Bar. Tyler offers a fun, energetic, and passionate approach to food and beverage, and he has developed our cocktail, beer, and wine program to reflect those attributes. He believes in the adage, “you don’t have brunch with people you don’t like,” and applies this philosophy to create a culture of fun and excitement at the restaurant.
Liam Austin
Liam Austin has joined our team as Executive Chef. With extensive kitchen knowledge and experience, Liam is a Red Seal Chef who has worked for The Keg and Browns Socialhouse. His roles have included Chef, Corporate Trainer, and Test Kitchen Chef, where he has tested and refined countless recipes. Having worked with the ownership team for many years, Liam is a valuable addition to our group.
Morgan Benitez
Our Director of HR, Media, and Marketing, Morgan, is a longtime friend of Heather, having met through the industry. With over 15 years of experience in the food, beverage, and service industry, Morgan brings extensive knowledge to our team. She assists Heather with all day-to-day operations behind the scenes, ensuring everything runs smoothly and keeping Heather organized.