A diverse group of restaurant executives who lead such chains as Domino’s and Firehouse Subs, and who are noticed as industry innovators, have been selected as winners of the Nation’s Restaurant News 2011 Golden Chain Award and Pioneer Award.

The restaurant industry leaders have built and executed winning strategies that have kept their companies strong in recent years, despite heavy economic pressure.

“In tough times, more than ever, strong leaders rise to the challenge, and that’s what these Golden Chain winners have done,” NRN publisher Randall Friedman says. “We will be honoring these executives at MUFSO not only for their outstanding recent accomplishments but also for career achievements that have benefited our industry and consumers worldwide.”

The Pioneer Award winner, Ronald M. Shaich, executive chairman at Panera Bread Co., also embodies the best of the industry.

“A remarkable innovator, Ron was a leader in creating the bakery café segment, first with Au Bon Pain, one of the earliest entrants in that segment, and then with Panera Bread, a high-performing segment leader,” Friedman says. “Congratulations to Ron for his vision and for his steadfast adherence to a philosophy that focuses on building the customer’s trust and always offering quality products.”

The award winners will be honored during the 52th Annual Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) Conference at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, Texas September 25-27. Winners are chosen by the editors of NRN.

After meeting the Golden Chain winners below, NRN readers are encouraged to vote for the Operator of the Year, an annual honor that will be announced live at the MUFSO on the evening of September 26. Operator of the Year is selected among the Golden Chain winners and voted on by industry peers.