K&W Cafeterias Welcomes New COO, John Roberts: A Journey Rooted in Family and Dedication

At K&W Cafeterias, we are proud to announce the promotion of John Roberts to the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO), a well-earned recognition of his hard work, leadership, and unwavering commitment to our company’s values.

John’s journey with K&W Cafeterias began at the young age of 14 when he first started working at our Roanoke, VA location under the guidance of his mother, Lakia Roberts, who has worked with K&W for an impressive 35 years and is currently the Breakfast Manager at our Roanoke location. It was under Lakia's mentorship that John learned the importance of dedication, hard work, and family. In fact, Lakia had to fill out John’s hiring paperwork for him, as it was his very first job. John’s dedication to K&W started early, working nights, weekends, and summers throughout his high school years. His sister also joined the family business, further cementing K&W as a place where the Roberts family worked side by side.

After graduating early and briefly moving away to continue his education, John was called home to K&W with an enticing offer to become an Assistant General Manager at just 18 years old in Norfolk, VA. There, he honed his leadership skills and built the store’s success. In 2009, John returned to his home stores in Roanoke, where he would meet his wife, Renea, who also worked at K&W. The couple’s dedication to their work was as strong as their commitment to family, with John continuing to excel at every level of the business.

In 2016, John’s hard work paid off when he was promoted to General Manager of our Roanoke location, a role in which he thrived while also welcoming his first son, Riley, with Renea. Over the next few years, John’s leadership and ability to balance work and family life earned him a promotion to District Manager in 2019, during which time he also had his second son, Cameron. His dedication to K&W was unshakeable, and his ability to focus on the big picture while nurturing relationships at every level helped him climb the ranks even further.

John’s career trajectory at K&W Cafeterias continued to rise, with his promotion to Senior District Manager, overseeing larger territories while still maintaining a hands-on approach to leadership. By 2023, his exceptional leadership and vision earned him the role of Vice President of Operations. In 2024, John’s hard work culminated in his promotion to COO, the highest position in K&W’s operational leadership.

But it’s not just John’s professional success that stands out—it’s his commitment to family and work-life balance. In 2024, he welcomed his first daughter, Finley, into the world, proving that his dedication to family and career is both deep and lasting.

John’s rise to COO is a true testament to his dedication to K&W Cafeterias. Having worked in nearly every position, John has gained a unique understanding of the day-to-day processes, while also keeping a sharp focus on the future. He is the embodiment of the values that make K&W a beloved destination for guests and a great place to work.

As COO, John leads with a rare combination of operational expertise, strategic vision, and a commitment to the family values that have made K&W Cafeterias what it is today. We are excited to see where his leadership will take us in the future, and we are confident that with John at the helm, K&W Cafeterias will continue to grow, evolve, and thrive.

Please join us in congratulating John on this well-deserved promotion! ??