Like many in the restaurant industry, Bernard began his career at an early age. At just 14 years old, he took his first restaurant job as a dishwasher and busboy, beginning a lifelong journey in the hospitality business.

In 1982, Bernard enrolled at Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi, where he pursued a Bachelor of Business Administration. That same year, his brother John, their mother Myrrl, and Harvey Siefert opened their first restaurant in Starkville, appropriately named “Harvey's.”

Throughout college, Bernard worked his way through virtually every position in the restaurant, gaining firsthand experience in all aspects of the business. By the age of 22, he had taken on his first management role.

After graduating in 1987, Bernard moved to Nashville, where he worked for Chili’s and later for Cooker Corporation. These experiences provided him with valuable operational knowledge and a broader understanding of the restaurant industry.

Bernard eventually returned to the family business to help open the third Harvey's location in Tupelo, Mississippi. As the company continued to grow, he became its first Area Manager, eventually becoming a partner and Chief Operating Officer.

Today, the company is known as Eat With Us Group, a growing restaurant organization that owns and operates five brands across 17 locations and employs more than 1,000 people. Bernard’s journey—from a 14-year-old dishwasher and busboy to a partner and Chief Operating Officer—is a testament to his dedication, hard work, and lifelong commitment to the restaurant industry.

After more than four decades in the restaurant industry, Bernard is beginning a new chapter by launching a consulting company with his daughter, Lauren, and son, Christian.

Together, they will work with restaurant groups and other quick-service businesses, helping them improve operations, develop their teams, increase profitability, and position their businesses for long-term growth.

With a career spanning every level of the restaurant business—from dishwasher to Chief Operating Officer—Bernard brings a wealth of firsthand experience and knowledge. This new venture gives him the opportunity to share those lessons with other operators while working alongside the next generation of his family.

For Bernard, it’s a chance to give back to an industry that has shaped his life and help others build successful, sustainable businesses.