Jim Hara is co-founder of Premier Restaurant Equipment Company overseeing sales, finance and business operations.  Prior to establishing the firm in 1989, Mr. Hara was the top contract salesman with PYA/Monarch Contract Division based in Minneapolis , Minnesota .

Jim has 13 years of experience in the foodservice and hospitality industry designing, purchasing and selling FF&E projects.  The combination of industry and consulting experience has equipped him to guide his clients in the areas of innovative equipment planning, cost effective purchasing, detailed project management and achieving concept efficiency.

Mr. Hara’s team oversees client projects including Harrah’s Hotels and Casino’s, Rock Bottom Brewery Restaurants, Grand Casinos and Hotels and several other key clients.  He is a CPA and holds an accounting degree and an MBA in Finance from the University of Minnesota .  In addition, he participates in numerous industry associations including the SEFA (Chair of vendor committee, member of executive committee).

Mr. Zechmeister co-founded Premier with Mr. Hara and heads up Premier’s design staff.  Prior to co-founding Premier, Gary also worked with PYA/Monarch Foodservice.  In addition, Gary’s 30-year background includes positions in restaurant design, store engineering and interiors color design for Super Value Stores and Control Data Corporation.  Mr. Zechmeister's degree:  Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Design.

Gary’s design team has been instrumental in the development and rollout of several national prototype concepts including The Rain Forest Cafe, Champps Americana Restaurants, Wolfgang Puck’s, Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que & Blues and others.

Gary works closely with clients pioneering innovative solutions in the areas of functional floor planning, transferring theme ideas to conceptual layouts and streamlining server and cooking line efficiency.  Mr. Zechmeister’s projects have been profiled in industry publications including Nations Restaurant News, Hotel Motel Management, Restaurant Business, Restaurant Hospitality, Foodservice Equipment and Supplies and others.