Gainesville, VA — January 28, 2026 — One of Northern Virginia’s most beloved restaurant groups is officially expanding into Prince William County.
Great American Restaurants (GAR) has announced that Tommy’s American and Best Buns Bakery & Burgers are coming to Gainesville, marking a major milestone for both the company and the local dining scene.
This expansion continues GAR’s long-standing reputation for exceptional hospitality, scratch-made food, and neighborhood-focused dining experiences — concepts that have made restaurants like Patsy’s American and Mike’s American staples across Northern Virginia.
Tommy’s American: A First for Prince William County
Tommy’s American will be Great American Restaurants’ first-ever location in Prince William County, a move that many local residents have anticipated for years.
The restaurant is named in honor of Tom Rush, GAR’s Chief Operating Officer and a longtime leader within the company. Rush began his career with GAR in 1995 as a Kitchen Manager at Artie’s after graduating from James Madison University and the Culinary Institute of America. Over the last three decades, he has held nearly every major operational role within the organization, including Executive Chef and Managing Partner.
Rush has been instrumental in opening some of GAR’s most successful restaurants, including Coastal Flats (Fairfax Corner, Tysons, and Gaithersburg), Ozzie’s Good Eats, Patsy’s American, Randy’s Prime Seafood & Steaks, Best Buns Bakery & Burgers, and most recently, Stupid Good BBQ.
A longtime Gainesville and Haymarket resident, Rush lives in the community with his wife Abby and their three children. Tommy and Abby first met while working together on the opening of Sweetwater Tavern Centreville in 1996.
“I’m overwhelmed and humbled to see Great American Restaurants opening in a place I’ve called home for over 20 years, let alone it being named after me,” Rush shared. “I can’t wait for it to open and for Tommy’s American and Best Buns to become part of our community.”
GAR CEO Jon Norton also emphasized Rush’s impact on the company’s culture and growth.
“While he prefers to stay out of the spotlight, Tom’s leadership, dedication, and passion for hospitality have been foundational to GAR’s success,” Norton said. “So much so that he trained me on my first day in 1997. My father wanted me to learn from the best, so he had me learn from Tom.”
Best Buns Bakery & Burgers Expands Its Footprint
Joining Tommy’s American in Gainesville will be Best Buns Bakery & Burgers, GAR’s popular bakery and burger concept that has quickly gained a loyal following in Tysons and Springfield.
The Gainesville location will feature Best Buns’ signature breakfast sandwiches, handcrafted pastries, and build-your-own burgers, along with guest favorites like the Honey Fried Chicken Biscuit. The brand has also recently announced an additional location coming to Falls Church, signaling continued growth across Northern Virginia.
A Big Win for Gainesville’s Dining Scene
Together, Tommy’s American and Best Buns Bakery & Burgers represent a significant addition to Gainesville’s restaurant landscape. Known for combining high-quality food with genuine hospitality and a strong sense of place, GAR’s arrival reflects the continued growth and evolving lifestyle offerings in western Prince William County.
For residents, this means two highly anticipated dining destinations rooted in familiarity, consistency, and community — values that have defined Great American Restaurants for decades.
Follow @tommysamerican and @bestbunsbakery on social media for sneak peeks, opening timelines, and updates as both restaurants prepare to open their doors in Gainesville.
Northern Virginia.
Tommy’s American: A First for Prince William County
Tommy’s American will be Great American Restaurants’ first-ever location in Prince William County, a move that many local residents have anticipated for years.
The restaurant is named in honor of Tom Rush, GAR’s Chief Operating Officer and a longtime leader within the company. Rush began his career with GAR in 1995 as a Kitchen Manager at Artie’s after graduating from James Madison University and the Culinary Institute of America. Over the last three decades, he has held nearly every major operational role within the organization, including Executive Chef and Managing Partner.
Rush has been instrumental in opening some of GAR’s most successful restaurants, including Coastal Flats (Fairfax Corner, Tysons, and Gaithersburg), Ozzie’s Good Eats, Patsy’s American, Randy’s Prime Seafood & Steaks, Best Buns Bakery & Burgers, and most recently, Stupid Good BBQ.
A longtime Gainesville and Haymarket resident, Rush lives in the community with his wife Abby and their three children. Tommy and Abby first met while working together on the opening of Sweetwater Tavern Centreville in 1996.
“I’m overwhelmed and humbled to see Great American Restaurants opening in a place I’ve called home for over 20 years, let alone it being named after me,” Rush shared. “I can’t wait for it to open and for Tommy’s American and Best Buns to become part of our community.”
GAR CEO Jon Norton also emphasized Rush’s impact on the company’s culture and growth.
“While he prefers to stay out of the spotlight, Tom’s leadership, dedication, and passion for hospitality have been foundational to GAR’s success,” Norton said. “So much so that he trained me on my first day in 1997. My father wanted me to learn from the best, so he had me learn from Tom.”
Best Buns Bakery & Burgers Expands Its Footprint
Joining Tommy’s American in Gainesville will be Best Buns Bakery & Burgers, GAR’s popular bakery and burger concept that has quickly gained a loyal following in Tysons and Springfield.
The Gainesville location will feature Best Buns’ signature breakfast sandwiches, handcrafted pastries, and build-your-own burgers, along with guest favorites like the Honey Fried Chicken Biscuit. The brand has also recently announced an additional location coming to Falls Church, signaling continued growth across Northern Virginia.
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