Tom Lamson

Associate Partner

As Associate Partner for Wildfire, Tom Lamson oversees the day-to-day management of Wildfire Glenview and Wildfire Oak Brook and plays a key role in the execution of divisional projects, marketing initiatives and events. Since joining Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants in 2007, Tom has brought his operational expertise to every aspect of the business, succeeding particularly in building Wildfire Glenview into the division’s highest-grossing location. 

Previously, as Director of Operations for Wildfire Glenview, Tom’s leadership was crucial to the restaurant and its team during the challenges of 2020. As dining rooms closed, he adapted the restaurant’s layout to include a popular 50-table outdoor patio and pivoted the focus to carryout, keeping business steady and maintaining strong community connections.

Tom’s passion for hospitality is rooted in his childhood in Falmouth, Massachusetts, where he cherished the communal joy of family dinners, holidays and gatherings. Inspired by these experiences, he pursued a career focused on creating meaningful moments for guests, blending food, ambiance and atmosphere.

At Cape Cod’s iconic Landfall Restaurant, where he started as a dishwasher and gradually rose through the kitchen ranks under one of his mentors, Executive Chef David Petrone, Tom gained invaluable exposure to back-of-house operations. While attending the University of Massachusetts Amherst, studying Hospitality and Restaurant Management, Tom completed the prestigious Walt Disney World College Program, where he learned the art of guest service. Upon graduation, he went on to gain hands-on expertise in fine dining at New York’s famed Italian establishment, Il Mulino, where he was involved in opening new locations in Chicago, Miami and Puerto Rico, before joining Lettuce.

Tom now resides in Lake Forest, Illinois, and though surrounded by great Chicago pizza, Paul’s Pizza and Seafood in Falmouth, Massachusetts, holds a special place in the Cape Cod native’s heart. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three children and can often be found on the golf course.