Sally Smith, president and chief executive of Buffalo Wild Wings, was named Operator of the Year by Nation’s Restaurant News during its 51st annual Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators conference in Orlando, Fla.
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The Operator of the Year was chosen from the group of Golden Chain honorees by the readers of Nation's Restaurant News. This operator is selected for exceptional achievement and leadership.
Past Operator of the Year Honorees (inaugurated in 1971)
2010 Sally Smith, Buffalo Wild Wings
2009 Jim Greco, Bruegger's Bagels
2008 David Pickens, Olive Garden
2007 Craig Miller, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse
2006 Jim Skinner, McDonald's Corporation
2005 Lloyd Hill, Applebee's International, Inc.
2004 Richard Snead, Carlson Restaurants Worldwide, Inc.
2003 Russ Bendel, Mimi's Cafe
2002 John C. Metz, Metz & Associates, Ltd.
2001 Thomas J. Russo, American Hospitality Concepts, Inc.
2000 Bradley D. Blum, The Olive Garden
1999 William W. McCarten, Host Marriott Services Corp.
1998 Tom Thompson, CKE Restaurants, Inc.
1997 Frank J. Belatti, AFC Enterprises
1996 Robert D. Basham, Outback Steakhouse, Inc.
1995 Ted M. Fowler, Jr., Golden Corral Corporation
1994 Samuel E. Beall, III, Morrison Restaurants, Inc.
1993 Abe J. Gustin, Jr., Applebee's International
1992 James Near,Wendy's International
1991 Ronald Magruder, Olive Garden Restaurants
1990 John Farquharson, ARASERVE
1989 Joe R. Lee, General Mills Restaurants
1988 Jack W. Goodall, Jack-in-the-Box Restaurants
1987 Jack A. Laughery, Hardee's Food Systems
1986 James Collins, Collins Food
1985 Raymond L. Danner, Shoney's Restaurants
1984 Robert L. Barney,Wendy's International
1983 Carl N. Karcher, Carl Karcher Enterprises
1982 Norman E. Brinker, Chili's
1981 Howard E.Varner, Host International
1980 Jim L. Peterson,Whataburger
1979 William M. Siegel, ARA Food Services
1978 Gerald S. Office, Ponderosa Systems
1977 R. David Thomas,Wendy's International
1976 Richard J. Bradley,Victoria Station
1975 James W. McLamore, Burger King
1974 Frank L. Carney, Pizza Hut
1973 G. Michael Hostage, Marriott Corporation
1972 Robert E. Farrell, Farrell's Ice Cream Parlours
1971 Warren Rosenthal, Jerrico's
