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Anthony Lambatos
ColoradoBiz Staff //December 9, 2025//
Anthony Lambatos is co-owner and CEO of Footers Catering, where he has redefined leadership in the hospitality industry through a culture-driven approach centered on authenticity, innovation and heart. Since assuming leadership of the second-generation family business in 2010, he has transformed Footers into a national model for workplace culture and operational excellence.
A University of Oregon graduate with a degree in business and economics, Lambatos joined Footers in 2004 and became president and owner six years later. Under his leadership, the company expanded its full-service catering operation and, in 2021, moved into a 40,000-square-foot headquarters and event center, Social Capitol, in Arvada. He also founded MIBE, short for “Make It Better Every Day,” a sister company that provides leadership and culture education to the hospitality industry.
Lambatos’ people-first leadership style emphasizes empowerment, growth and innovation at every level of the organization. During the pandemic, he retained his full team, pivoted operations and completed construction on Social Capitol, setting the stage for the company’s continued growth. Footers’ revenue increased from $8.1 million in 2022 to $8.6 million in 2023, while maintaining industry-leading employee satisfaction and retention.
A sought-after national speaker, Lambatos has delivered more than 500 presentations on culture and leadership for organizations including the National Restaurant Association and Leading Caterers of America. He serves on several boards, including the University of Oregon Alumni Association, the Pat Surtain II Foundation and the GROW Catering Education Foundation, and continues to mentor hospitality students and industry leaders across the country.
