The Pioneer Award is selected each year by the Editorial Board of Nation's Restaurant News. A veteran multi-unit foodservice operator is recognized for professional dedication and contributions to the foodservice industry. This honoree is saluted for sustaining innovation and creativity, congratulated for a lifetime of success and gratefully thanked for a career of service. This award was presented during MUFSO.

John Y. Brown Jr., a man of many hats, including fast-food franchise leader, governor of Kentucky, sports team owner and renowned entrepreneur, has been named Nation’s Restaurant News’ 2010 Pioneer Award winner.

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Past Pioneer Award Honorees(inaugurated in 1981)

2010 John Y. Brown
2009 Richard Melman, Founder, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises
2008 Glen Bell, Founder, Taco Bell
2007 James Maynard, Founder, Golden Corral
2006 The Ingram family, Founders of White Castle System Inc.
2005 Joe Lee, Chairman, Darden Restaurants, Inc.
2004 Jackie Trujillo, Harman Management Corporation
2003 Ted Balestreri, Restaurants Central
2002 Alan Stillman, The Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group
2001 Joseph K. Fassler, Glacier Park, Inc.
2000 John Farquharson, International Food Safety Council
1999 Thomas S. Monaghan, Domino's Pizza
1998 John W.Teets, J.W.Teets Enterprises, L.L.C.
1997 R.Wray "Bob" Jones, RWJ Specialties, Inc.
1996 Leon W."Pete" Harman, Harman Management Corporation
1995 R. David Thomas, Wendy's International
1994 Ella Brennan & Dick Brennan, Commander's Palace
1993 Carl N. Karcher, Carl Karcher Enterprises
1992 Norman E. Brinker, Brinker International
1991 S.Truett Cathy, Chick-fil-A
1990 The State of California
1989 Joseph Baum, The Rainbow Room
1988 William Rosenberg, Dunkin' Donuts
1987 Robert Wian, Bob's Big Boy
1986 Frank L. Carney, Pizza Hut
1985 James W. McLamore, Burger King
1984 Alex Schoenbaum, Shoney's
1983 Ray Kroc, McDonald's Corporation
1982 J.Willard Marriott, Sr., Marriott Corporation
1981 Colonel Harland Sanders, Kentucky Fried Chicken