Heart of America Group is a hospitality and real estate development company headquartered in Moline, Illinois. Founded in 1978 by Mike Whalen, the company began with a single restaurant, The Machine Shed, which celebrated Midwest farming heritage. Since then, it has evolved into a diversified enterprise that develops, owns, and operates hotels and restaurants across the Midwestern United States. The company’s portfolio includes several hotel brands such as Hilton, Marriott, and Holiday Inn, along with proprietary restaurant concepts including The Machine Shed, Thunder Bay Grille, and Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse. Heart of America Group is notable for its vertical integration approach, maintaining in-house architecture, construction, and development capabilities alongside its hospitality operations. Heart of America Group has received numerous industry awards and recognitions for both its hotel and restaurant operations. The company is known for its commitment to quality construction and design, often developing mixed-use projects that combine hotels with restaurants and retail spaces. Their development strategy typically focuses on secondary markets throughout the Midwest region. The company continues to expand its presence in the hospitality sector through new construction projects and acquisitions, while maintaining its original focus on customer service and operational excellence. Heart of America Group employs over 1,000 people across its various properties and corporate offices.