The pandemic was a tough time for Footers Catering. 

“It was devastating for our company since our whole business is based on in-person gatherings,” says company owners Anthony and April Lambatos, also known as Footers’ coach and head honcho of happiness. 

But the company rebounded when the world started reopening, making 2022 a record year. 

“Our success came from doubling down on creating a great work environment and putting our team first,” the Lambatoses say. “We have an incredibly talented team that takes a lot of pride in their work, and they have a tremendous amount of trust, love, and respect for one another.”

Established in 1981 by Jimmy Lambatos, son Anthony and his wife April took over in 2010. As one of Denver’s top catering companies, Footers caters to more than 600 events annually, serving over 75,000 guests.

The company moved into Social Capitol, its new building and event center in 2021 and continues to refine the space to meet the needs of its team and guests who attend events. 

“We anticipate another record year in 2023 and are focusing on how we can continue to create clarity around our roles, revise our benefits and implement additional leadership development programs for our team,” the Lambatoses say.  

The couple anticipates the workplace of tomorrow will continue to put a significant emphasis on employee well-being. 

“Additional resources for team members around their mental and physical health will become commonplace,” they say. 

The couple also anticipates companies wanting to keep their top talent must prioritize professional development. 

“Employees want to see this, not only in their job or position but also programs that help them develop as a whole person.”

Innovation also will continue to be a priority. 

“At Footers, the middle part of our mission statement is ‘Make It Better Every Day,’ that’s our mantra for continuous improvement. Innovation isn’t necessarily about a lightning-in-a-bottle moment but what we can create with multiple small incremental steps over time. We’ve been in business for over 40 years, and without innovation, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”

The company’s future looks bright, and Footers plans to explore new ventures that provide opportunities for team members to grow.

“As opposed to just getting bigger as a company, we want to look for meaningful growth that aligns with what we do and excites our team,” the couple says.

Working in Colorado helps create a happy work environment. 

“Colorado is great because it is a place where people want to be,” the Lambatoses say. “That automatically creates an environment where people are generally happy and loving life.”

No. 3: Footers Catering

Years ranked: 4, 2 consecutive
Founded: 1981
Headquarters: Arvada
Employees: 50
Facts: Footers Catering is a second-generation family-owned business that caters to more than 600 full-service events and fees more than 75,000 guests each year. For more than 38 years, Footers has prepared all its menus on-site to provide the highest quality possible.