WELLS GROUP EXPANDS ITS MISSION WITH INVESTMENT IN DOWNTOWN MCKINNEY

Hospitality driven company acquires Grand Hotel and Masonic Lodge with plan to “learn – eat – grow – stay – give”

McKinney, Texas (Oct 19, 2021) – Wells Group, a business collective driven to make a meaningful positive impact on McKinney, has doubled down on its investment in the community with the acquisition of the historic Grand Hotel and expansion of its Harvest Seasonal Kitchen restaurant and non-profit Seed Project Foundation (SPF). These moves further their mission of creating a better future for McKinney through hospitality, sustainability, increased opportunity, and philanthropy.

Wells Group founders, Rick and Robbin Wells, have been part of the Grand Hotel family for years as their restaurant, Rick’s Chophouse, serves as the hotel’s food and beverage partner. Falling in love with the Grand’s charm and familial hospitality, Wells Group acquired the McKinney landmark from Wells’ mentor and owner Don Day in June 2021. With this acquisition, the upscale, historic experience will continue to thrive. Wells Group also plans to update the Grand Hotel experience through curated guest programs that embrace the essence of McKinney. Additionally, Wells Group has embarked on an extensive remodel to further elevate amenities while preserving the hotel as an iconic, boutique destination in North Texas. While Covid-19 has presented delays, guests will enjoy updated flooring, furniture, lighting, and artwork in the coming months.

The second transition in the Wells Group portfolio is the relocation of Harvest Seasonal Kitchen. The community-to-table restaurant already has roots in Downtown McKinney and will soon expand to three floors at the nearby Masonic Lodge. Wells Group purchased the 121-year-old building on Kentucky Street with the goal of renovating it to become the larger, permanent home of Harvest and their nonprofit, the Seed Project Foundation, allowing them to grow their mission.

Harvest was founded in 2014 to connect diners with the local food system and community. Its seasonal menus are a celebration of local farmers, ranchers, artists, and artisans, featuring exceptional products grown or created close to home. Harvest is committed to pushing the bounds of conscious capitalism, sourcing almost everything from within a 250 -mile radius and composting at Harvest’s farm, Water Boy Farms, in nearby Lucas, TX.

In its current location, Harvest spans 6,500 square feet. The move will expand the restaurant to 10,400 square feet across three floors. The first floor will seat 80 guests with much of the original vibe of Harvest. The second floor will host a tasting room and private dining space for up to 52 guests, featuring zero waste design, a cheese and charcuterie aging display room, and beautiful sightlines of the Cultural District. The third floor, with its sixteen massive restored windows, will wow up to 150 guests with spectacular views and surely become The Bar in Downtown McKinney, featuring local, regional, and national musical acts and one of the largest Texas whiskey and tequila collections in the state.

With both restorations, the design mission will strategically preserve the past to create an inspiring space that contemporizes usage and sustainability while speaking to its history.

“Every endeavor begins with a Servant’s heart,” said founder and owner of Wells Group, Rick Wells. “We’re honored by the opportunity to own a piece of downtown McKinney, a community we love so dearly and are passionate about leaving it better for generations to come. The reinvigoration of the Grand Hotel and expansion of Harvest will add career opportunity and momentum to historic downtown. We’re particularly excited about these two projects, as they bring about a beautiful partnership of our owned entities - including Harvest, Grand Hotel, Rick’s Chophouse, Water Boy Farms, our Goddard Schools, the Seed Project Foundation, and McKinney Roots - as well as our neighbors, to create diverse, exceptional, memorable experiences for hotel and restaurant guests.”

Wells Group is a family of companies invested in growing people and opportunities to create a better future for McKinney. Their purpose radiates through their portfolio, with education, sustainability, hospitality, and philanthropy unifying their businesses and brands. Their values-driven approach is woven into every experience they create -- for their teams, guests, and partners.

For more information on Wells Group and its subsidiaries, please visit wellsgroupmckinney.com, harvesttx.com, grandhotelmckinney.com, rickschophouse.com, goddardschool.com/schools/tx/mckinney, and spftx.org.

ABOUT HARVEST SEASONAL KITCHEN

Located in historic downtown McKinney, Harvest Seasonal Kitchen is a community-to-table restaurant concept that celebrates the seasonality of ingredients from regional farmers, ranchers, and artisans. Guests will enjoy a rotating seasonal menu and craft drinks in a rustic-chic environment. For more information, please visit www.harvesttx.com.

ABOUT THE GRAND HOTEL

Blending old world charm with comfort and curated experiences, the Grand Hotel is regarded as one of the best luxury hotels in Texas. The Grand Hotel is located on McKinney's historic downtown square, surrounded by shops and restaurants. Guests will enjoy ultimate convenience and hospitality at an iconic location. For more information, please visit www.grandhotelmckinney.com.

ABOUT THE SEED PROJECT FOUNDATION

Founded by Wells Group, the Seed Project Foundation funds educational, agricultural, and community initiatives that support sustainability. Since its formation in 2014, the SPF has raised and distributed more than $650,000 to nonprofits and schools in the McKinney community that enhance the principles of sustainability. The SPF operates in partnership with all companies in the Wells Group portfolio and local donation garden, McKinney Roots. For more information, please visit www.spftx.org.

ABOUT WELLS GROUP

Founded by Rick Wells, Wells Group is a family of companies invested in growing people and opportunities to create an exceptional future for McKinney. Their purpose radiates through their portfolio, with education, sustainability, hospitality, and philanthropy unifying their businesses and brands. Their values-driven approach is woven into every experience they create, for their teams, guests, and partners. Subsidiaries include the Harvest Seasonal Kitchen, the Grand Hotel, Rick’s Chophouse, two Goddard Schools, Water Boy Farms, the Seed Project Foundation, and McKinney Roots. For more information, please visit www.wellsgroupmckinney.com.

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