OUR STORY

Jim Matz - Owner

Jim grew up in McKeesport, PA and attended college at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, BA in Criminology. Currently, Jim lives in Wexford, PA, a northern suburb of Pittsburgh.

Previous to opening to Anchor & Eat and another venture in Pittsburgh, Jim had a career in retail operations, specifically loss prevention and inventory control. He worked for some of the best brands in retail including Gap Inc. and LBrands (formerly Limited Brands). Due to his previous experience, he has a strong understanding of business from the back of the house. His specialty in the operational side of the business provides him with a strong foundation in inventory management and profit and loss.

Outside of work, Jim enjoys spending time and traveling with his wife, Leslie. Jim is a family man who likes hanging out with his kids at home, and playing golf with his son. His favorite pastimes include cycling, fishing, and he dreams of owning a 23’ center-console boat when he & Leslie transition back to Florida.

What Jim enjoys most about Anchor & Eat is working with our teams.

“In Pittsburgh, we have been able to build staff that are excellent, and have a voice in the directions we are headed. We want to ensure we are providing a top notch customer experience in addition to an excellent product and a healthy meal option.”

Jim’s favorite on our menu? Anything containing tuna! Jim’s passion for poke came from eating raw tuna while at a conference in Hawaii, and he has not looked back since.

Leslie Matz - Owner

Leslie grew up in Minnesota and attended school at Baylor University where she studied nursing. She then raised her two children—Cort and Alexa—in southern NJ by the beach. In 2016, she moved to Pittsburgh and married Jim.

Leslie’s passion for food, entertainment and cooking naturally led to her interest in the industry. She approaches the dining experience from a personal level of expectation, wants and needs.

“I always try to think about what I like when I walk into a restaurant or look at a menu. I look for variety because I feel that there should be something for everyone. Overall, I prioritize a great customer experience because it’s easy to return to an establishment when you feel welcomed. Working hard to make each customer feel important is what keeps customers coming back.”

What Leslie enjoys most about Anchor & Eat is our staff. She believes that if you work hard alongside your team, they see your commitment to excellence and rise to the occasion. Leslie ensures that our staff is aware that what they do matters, and that it makes a difference.

Outside of work, Leslie enjoys the simple pleasures of family life. She and Jim enjoy any time they spend together, especially outdoors or travelling. She is especially fond of the water—the beach, surf, pool, or lake when she visits her parents in northern MN.

Leslie’s favorite on our menu is a hard one to nail down as there aren’t many poke bowls she doesn’t like. Like Jim, Leslie also gravitates towards tuna - with all of the additions, of course!