The original Hoffman House Restaurant was started in 1946 by seven Hoffman Brothers upon their return from military service. It was located in Madison, Wisconsin, in an old building on East Wilson Street within a block of Lake Monona, the Northwestern Railroad passenger terminal and the East Madison branch of the Milwaukee Railroad.

 

Following the success of their first restaurant, the Hoffman Brothers expanded their operations. They acquired Ishnala Supper Club in the Wisconsin Dells in 1953 and opened a number of restaurants in motor hotels throughout the Midwest.

 

In 1958 the Hoffman House in Rockford opened and was located in Don Carter Lanes on East State Street, with a small dining room and lounge. In 1975 Hoffman House moved to its current location, next to the Holiday Inn, with an expanded dining room, lounge, and banquet facility.

 

My father began his career working for the Hoffman Brothers in Wausau, WI in 1973 and then came to the Rockford Hoffman House in 1985. He worked with the Hoffman Brothers and always believed that their formula for success, "Serving the highest quality food, in a warm, friendly manner, at a fair price" is just as sound today as when they opened their first Hoffman House restaurant in 1946. We still follow the recipes and specifications that the Brothers developed over the years. We're still cutting only USDA choice steak daily in our kitchen and don't intend to change.

 

I started working for my father when I was 8 years old working coat check at the Hoffman House. I worked every position from busboy & dishwasher to cook & bartender. I have always believed hard work breeds success. My father has always been my role model and this business has always been in my blood.

 

My father has worked extremely hard for years to build this company, and I am working to grow his vision. He created the foundation and the framework for what we are today. I learned from a great leader and now we are growing this business together.

 

As a local owner and operator, my goal is to continue to serve you in the best Hoffman House tradition and I am looking forward to doing just that.

 

 - Michael J. Prosser -