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Punch Bowl Social CEO Robert Thompson explains the concept behind his successful restaurant chain—and the real estate mistake behind a failed earlier restaurant of his. Thompson used his hard-earned wisdom to the benefit of Punch Bowl Social, a pub that aims to eliminate "having to choose between respectable food and beverage and a great social experience." Punch Bowl Social was founded in Denver in 2012, and plans to have 10 locations by the end of 2016. In 2015, Nation's Restaurant News dubbed Punch Bowl a "Breakout Brand." The company reaped just over $13 million in annualized sales in 2014, says Thompson, and expects to top $38 million in 2015.