Third-generation cafeteria owner won't force his 4 sons to take over

Michael Greene, 53, runs the third-generation Matthews Cafeteria in Tucker, Georgia, a 70-year-old operation his family has owned for decades. He has four sons, ages 12, 10, 8, and 4, and says he won’t push any of them into the business if they don’t want it. Greene started working at the cafeteria at age 12 washing dishes and didn’t enjoy it then, but he plans for each son to try the same summer job so they can see where the money comes from and what the work involves; his eldest will start this summer.

He was the only one in his generation who stayed with the business, and he wants his boys to have the same freedom his parents gave him. Cooking became his passion after watching chefs on TV, even though he majored in communications in college. He now runs the production side of the cafeteria, describing the work as physically demanding and rewarding.

He used to open at 5 a.m.

United States, Tucker, Georgia

michael greene, matthews cafeteria, tucker georgia, third-generation, family business, cafeteria owner, four sons, summer job, production side, washing dishes