Each year, Nation's Restaurant News celebrates the best of the foodservice industry. Meet this year's group of honorees:
Six notable industry figures are the recipients of NRN's annual awards for success and leadership. In the following stories, meet the four Golden Chain Award winners, including an industry veteran whose trailblazing work in the bakery-cafe segment earned him the Pioneer Award, and the winner of The Norman Award, a man whose people-centric approach echoes that of industry icon Norman Brinker.
This year’s winners will be honored during the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators Conference, which will take place Sept. 25-27 in Grapevine, Texas. The Operator of the Year will be selected from the Golden Chain honorees during a gala awards banquet at the show.
The Norman Brinker Award:
Philip J. Hickey Jr., chairman, O'Charley's Inc.
Pioneer Award:
Ron Schaich, executive chairman, Panera
Golden Chain Award winners:
• Don Fox, chief executive, Firehouse Subs
• J. Patrick Doyle, CEO, Domino's
• Steele Platt, founder and chairman, Yardhouse Restaurants
• Steve Romaniello, Focus Brands chairman and Roark Capital Group managing director
Hot Concepts! 2011
The Hot Concepts! awards are given each year by Nation’s Restaurant News to young, growing chains that embody the perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit of the restaurant industry.Meet the five concepts who were able to identify and capitalize upon opportunities in their markets across varying cuisine, service style and formality.
The award winners will be present at MUFSO to discuss their concepts during the Hot Concepts! award presentation and panel discussion. The honorees will also meet attendees and showcase their signature menu items at the Taste of Hot Concepts! reception, sponsored by Coca Cola.
• Twisted Root Burger Co.
• True Food Kitchen
• Mixt Greens
• FöD
• Crave
