Gina Lehtinen is VRLTA’S Bartender of the Year in 2021!

Glory Days Grill is proud to announce an award received by one of their employees at the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association’s (VRLTA) 2021 Ordinary Awards Dinner on October 4, 2021. Gina Lehtinen, a team member at the Alexandria, Virginia Glory Days Grill restaurant, won ‘Bartender of the Year 2021’ for her extraordinary dedication to the company, guests, and her contributions to the Alexandria restaurant.

Gina is described as the obvious “MVP” of the Alexandria Glory Days Grill restaurant. Gina is reliable, hard-working, and always comes to work with a positive attitude. Hired in August 2018, Gina first worked as a server, and due to her incredible work ethic, she was quickly trained as a bartender shortly thereafter. Gina is the quintessential team member when it comes to service. She remembers her guests, their preferences, and greets them by name and with a warm smile. In February of 2021, Gina became Alexandria’s lunch bartender and quickly developed a huge loyal following. The restaurant’s increase in regular guests during lunch and increase in overall annual sales is largely due to Gina’s attention to detail, positive personality, and excellent customer service.

This year’s award follows Lily Wilson’s ‘Restaurant Employee of the Year Award’ in 2019; Gary Cohen’s ‘Restauranteur of the Year’ Award in 2018; Burke, Virginia’s ‘Restaurant of the Year’ Award in 2018; and Chef Tony Cochones’s ‘Chef of the Year’ award in 2017.  Glory Days Grill is a sports-themed family restaurant operating nearly 40 corporate and franchised restaurants in 6 states. The company is committed to excellence in food and hospitality, the enjoyment of sports, and contributing to the communities in which they operate.

Named after the oldest inn in America, called Chinn’s “Ordinary”, the winners of the Ordinary Awards “represent all the extraordinary people and companies that make up Virginia’s hospitality and tourism industry,” said Eric Terry President of the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association. “On behalf of the VRLTA, our staff, and board, we applaud the efforts of these individuals for the exemplary work they have done and will continue to do.”

More About Glory Days Grill:
Founded in 1996 by Richard Danker, Bob Garner and Jeff Newman, Glory Days Grill is a full-service, sports-themed family restaurant featuring a wide selection of food items served at very affordable prices with outstanding service and real-time entertainment.  Every restaurant brings together award-winning menus accompanied by numerous large screen televisions tuned to a variety of sports, cartoons, news and entertainment offerings. Tables and booths have individual volume-controlled speaker stations adding to the guests’ enjoyment.  Many locations have private banquet facilities, and all restaurants feature catering services. Glory Days Grill has been named Best Casual Theme Restaurant, Best American Restaurant, Best Sports Bar, and has also received accolades for Best Ribs, Best Wings, Best Chili, Best Burger and Best Bartender to name a few. For more information, visit www.glorydaysgrill.com and www.ownaglorydaysfranchise.com.

For information on Glory Days Grill: 
Charissa Costa Bauhaus
Director of Marketing
330-338-3040
ccosta@glorydaysgrill.com