Fast Facts About Anthony Stacy
Travel Company: Branson’s Best Restaurants
Favorite Bible Verse:
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
— John 16:33, ESV
Hometown: Branson, Missouri
Favorite Destination: Branson, Missouri.
“I know that probably sounds crazy, since I live here, but there are so many things that Branson offers that you just cannot get anywhere else.”
Hobbies: Anthony loves spending time with his wife and two sons, serving in his church and traveling.
For Anthony Stacy, working with Branson’s Best Restaurants, a hospitality group in Branson, Missouri, isn’t just about hosting touring groups for meals while they’re traveling — it’s an opportunity to serve God.
“The way being a Christian translates to my job is that being a faith-based person, I can connect with groups and not just share with them the best that Branson has to offer, but share the gospel and talk about my beliefs with them,” said Stacy. “A cornerstone of being a Christian is being hospitable and being able to do for others, and it’s a good feeling when I’m able to help people get what they need.”
Stacy grew up in Branson, surrounded by the values of “faith, family and flag,” and started his career by working the front desk at a local hotel. When a sales position opened up, he took it, feeling that his love of working with people was not only part of the job description but one of the things he was born to do.
“That job was a God-given opportunity, and I believe when God opens doors there’s a reason for it,” said Stacy. “That has just exploded in the sense that now, working for a much bigger company, I’m able to help so many more people.”
Being the director of sales and marketing for a restaurant group that accommodates thousands of people and hundreds of groups comes with its challenges: dietary restrictions, a rushed schedule, budget constraints and even groups that arrive tired and in bad moods. But something that Stacy and his colleagues at the four Branson mega restaurants — the Great American Steak and Chicken House, Pasghetti’s, the Fall Creek Steak and Catfish House and Whippersnapper’s Seafood Buffet — is being able to accommodate a group’s requests and deliver hospitality that goes above and beyond.
“People come here year after year because they get that hospitality,” said Stacy. “Part of how I serve Christ is that when someone’s having a bad day, I can help those situations by sharing my faith with them.”
Stacy shared a story of a large special needs group has been a repeat customer at his restaurants but whose members arrived one evening feeling down and out.
“We did everything we could to go above and beyond and interact with them in a positive way,” said Stacy. “By the end of the meal, they were hugging us and high-fiving us on the way out of the restaurant, and it was so great knowing that what we did impacted them, let them forget what they were sad about and change their mood 180 degrees. That was probably my favorite day at work.”
Another of Stacy’s more memorable workdays was when a faith-based group was dining in one of the restaurants in a private room and asked him to start the meal by praying with them. He ended up staying for dinner, which turned into a full-fledged church service complete with a sermon and singing.
For now, Stacy is happy to continue to serve the groups he works with and provide the same hospitality he’s been practicing for years, but he’s open to whatever opportunities God puts in his path.
“I love what I do — it’s a huge opportunity to be able to help make a difference in people’s lives because it’s not just a meal, it’s so much more than that,” said Stacy. “I believe that God will let me know if a change needs to happen and a new door opens. My wife and I pray over everything; we live day by day and in the moment.”
Travel Tips
1. Try new things. Local eateries, shows, attractions, etc., often offer things you can’t just get anywhere. Take advantage of that.
2. Don’t stress yourself out. Traveling is meant to be relaxing. It is easy to stress over the planning that goes into traveling, but do your best to just enjoy yourself.
3. Wear a fanny pack. They may not scream “fashion,” but they will be your best friend throughout your trip. They hold everything.
