Clarion Hotel, Wintergreen Grille & Conference Center, Mr. Pancake

SVA Helps the Thompson Family with Business Growth, Tax and Exit Planning

The Thompson family has a long tradition as business owners in the Wisconsin Dells area. Mr. Pancake was purchased by Dianne and her husband Chuck in 1962, the year Elizabeth was born. Elizabeth is now an owner of Mr. Pancake with her mother Dianne. Mr. Pancake is a breakfast destination serving family recipes made from scratch.

Dianne also co-owns the Clarion Hotel and Suites, Wintergreen Conference Center, and Wintergreen Grille with her daughter Julie. Built in 1990 as the Kennel Club Inn and Suites, the business has grown to a multi-purpose destination in the Wisconsin Dells.

Chuck and Dianne owned numerous businesses in 2012 when Chuck unexpectedly passed away. SVA helped Dianne and her family transition those businesses and streamline their business portfolio to focus on the enterprises co-owned by Dianne, Elizabeth, and Julie.

As with many businesses in the Wisconsin Dells area, there are seasonal factors to plan for. Mr. Pancake is open during the summer months but closes during the winter. The hotel, conference center, and Wintergreen Grille are open year-round, but all the businesses were affected by the pandemic. SVA assisted with PPP loans and planning to help navigate a difficult time for business owners. “We really appreciate all that SVA has done for us during this unpredictable time,” says Elizabeth.

Looking back, Julie reflects on how SVA has helped her business grow through multiple additions to the hotel and conference center. “SVA helped me work with the banks to get the money we needed as we grew,” says Julie. The hotel added a waterpark, additional rooms, and the conference center throughout the years. Each time, SVA helped with the planning process.

There are many complicated facets of owning numerous family businesses and SVA has been there to help Chuck, Dianne, and their two daughters through over 55 years of business ownership. SVA provides monthly financial statements and year-end tax preparation, as well as a variety of business consulting services. “SVA is helping me transition my business through exit planning preparation, as I am at an age where it is time to start thinking about that,” says Julie.

The Thompson family and their flagship businesses are well known in the Wisconsin Dells area. SVA is proud to partner with their family as they look to the future.