Debo's Diners

ABOUT DEBO’S DINERS

Debo's Diners has been an award-winning franchise of Steak 'n Shake for over 30 years. We measure our success not by the revenues we earn, but by the purpose we serve: to improve the lives of our guests, employees, and the members of the communities we serve. We accomplish our purpose by allowing everything we say and do to be guided by six core values:

Character: Above all else, we have the courage and discipline to do what is right based on the principles of honesty, integrity, and professionalism.
SERVICE: We sacrifice personally to create "WOW" experiences for team members, guests, and the community.
TEAMWORK: We succeed through servant leadership, and respectful, fun, and selfless cooperation.
GRATITUDE: We recognize and point out the best in people, things, and situations.
GROWTH: We battle the status quo by consistently improving every day.
EXCELLENCE: We despise mediocrity and always do our best.

OUR Core Purpose TO MAKE PEOPLE’S LIVES BETTER

MEET OUR LEADERS

Debbie Richman

Debbie "Debo" Richman's journey with Steak 'n Shake began at just 15 years old, when she took her first job as a server in Indianapolis, Indiana. Her talent, determination, and passion for hospitality quickly became evident. By the age of 18, she had earned the opportunity to manage her own restaurant, beginning a career that would ultimately span decades and inspire the creation of Debo's Diners.

In 1995, Debbie and her partners opened the company's first Steak 'n Shake franchise in Chattanooga, Tennessee. As the business grew, additional restaurants were established throughout the greater Chattanooga area and Northwest Georgia. In 2002, Debbie became the sole owner and President of Debo's Diners, setting a clear vision for the company: build a successful business by investing in people first.

Under Debbie's leadership, Debo's Diners has become known not only for exceptional hospitality but also for its commitment to employees, guests, and the communities it serves. She has built a culture centered on the belief that lasting success comes from valuing people over profits—a philosophy that continues to guide every decision the company makes.Today, Debbie remains actively involved in leading the organization while mentoring the next generation of company leadership. She takes the greatest pride not in the number of restaurants the company operates, but in the careers that have been built, the lives that have been impacted, and the relationships that have been formed over more than three decades of serving the community.

Mike Richman

Since the first area Steak 'n Shake opened when he was in kindergarten, Mike has grown up in the restaurants, spending countless hours helping wherever he was needed. From washing dishes and bussing tables as a child to serving guests during high school, he developed a deep appreciation for the hard work and dedication that define the restaurant industry.

After earning his Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Master of Business Administration from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Mike began his career in public accounting with Joseph Decosimo and Company PLLC (now Elliott Davis). As an auditor, he worked with privately held businesses, publicly traded companies, and nonprofit organizations, gaining valuable financial and operational experience. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Mike returned to Debo's Diners full-time in 2014, bringing that expertise back to the family business.

Today, as Chief Financial Officer, Mike is responsible for the company's financial strategy, accounting, technology, and long-term planning. He believes that financial strength is not an end in itself, but a tool that allows the company to invest in its people, improve its restaurants, and better serve the communities that have supported Debo's Diners for more than three decades.

Mike is passionate about building a business that values people over short-term profits. By maintaining a strong financial foundation and a culture of operational excellence, he strives to ensure that Debo's Diners remains a place where employees can build meaningful careers, guests can expect exceptional hospitality, and the company's family legacy continues for generations to come.

Beyond Debo's Diners, Mike is committed to giving back to the community. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Chattanooga Area Food Bank, where he helps support the organization's mission of leading a network of partners in eliminating hunger and promoting better nutrition throughout Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia.