Few diners can claim that they have served their community for more than 100 years. Fewer still can boast they are a priority visit for presidential candidates or attract a slew of celebrities from Adam Sandler and RuPaul to Kevin Costner and Paul Newman. That’s all part of what makes The Red Arrow an iconic NH diner.
“[Every four years] we have people coming from all over the world to shake hands with the candidates and ask them tough questions,” says Amanda Wihby, who started as a part-time receptionist at The Red Arrow and is now a co-owner and COO. During the most recent presidential primary, The Red Arrow Diner hosted more than 75 media outlets.
Owner and President Carol Lawrence took over The Red Arrow in 1987 as the fifth owner, when it was down to just the Manchester location. Under her leadership, along with Wihby and Carol’s father, George Lawrence, a co-owner and vice president, The Red Arrow now boasts four locations in Concord, Londonderry, Manchester, and Nashua, and 182 employees. The diners, which are open 24/7, together serve more than 500,000 breakfasts annually.
One of the key decisions Lawrence made was to become the second restaurant in the state to go smoke free in 1998. That year, the diner was voted “One of the Top Ten Diners in the Country” by USA Today. In 2000, it was named an official Manchester City Landmark. In 2007, The Red Arrow was featured on the Food Network show “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.” In 2022, the co-owners received the Manchester Historic Association’s Century Award for the diner’s 100 years in business.
The Red Arrow is also known for giving back to the community. For more than a decade, the diner led the planning committee for the Tower of Toys holiday fundraiser in downtown Manchester that collected thousands of toys, gift cards, and monetary donations for more than 10,000 children over the years. It also supports several nonprofits, including Make-A-Wish NH, the NH Association for the Blind, the Perkins School for the Blind, and Best Buddies.
It all serves The Red Arrow’s pledge to its customers: “To Create, Cook and Serve, with Consistency and a Smile, the Most Palate Pleasing Diner Eats Known to Mankind.” “We’re proud of the brand and what it represents,” Wihby says. And at an age when most people would be retired, George wants to add another location. “I am ready for another one right now,” he says. “If you want to go, you better grow.”
To learn more about these winning companies and celebrate their success with them, join us at the Business of the Year Awards celebration to be held on June 6, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown Hotel. For more information or to purchase tickets or tables, visit BusinessNHmagazine.com.
