The Golden Chain Awards honor restaurant executives for outstanding leadership, strong company performance and careers marked by success and giving back to the industry and communities they serve.
The 2015 winners will be honored during the annual MUFSO conference, to be held Sept. 20-22 in Dallas.
In a series of exclusive interviews, Nation’s Restaurant News explores the executives’ strategies for building strong brands in a rapidly changing environment. The winners were interviewed by past Golden Chain honorees, resulting in insightful top-to-top conversations about leading great businesses, brands and workforces.
Meet the 2015 winners and listen to the interviews below.
Peggy Cherng, co-founder and co-CEO of Panda Restaurant Group
Cherng was interviewed by 2012 Golden Chain honoree Cheryl Bachelder, CEO of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Inc.
Read excerpts from the interview >>
John Gainor, president and CEO of International Dairy Queen
Gainor was interviewed by 2013 Golden Chain Award winner Peter Cancro, CEO of Jersey Mike’s Subs.
Read excerpts from the interview >>
John Miller, president and CEO of Denny’s Corp.
Miller was interviewed by Doug Brooks, Golden Chain winner in 2003 and Norman Award recipient in 2010; the two worked together for nearly 17 years at Brinker International Inc.
Read excerpts from the interview >>
Charlie Morrison, CEO of Wingstop Restaurants Inc.
Morrison was interviewed by Steve Romaniello, CEO of Roark Capital, the former private equity owner of Wingstop, and 2011 Golden Chain honoree.
Read excerpts from the interview >>
Julia Stewart, chairman and CEO of DineEquity Inc.
Stewart was interviewed by Aylwin Lewis, CEO of Chicago-based Potbelly Corp. and 2014 Golden Chain Award winner.
Read excerpts from the interview >>
Illustrations by David Bleek