2008: David Pickens
Olive Garden
2008: Jerry Deitchle
BJ's Restaurants
2007: Paul Clayton
Umami Burger
2005: Jon Luther
Dunkin Donuts
2007: Nick Vojnovic
Little Greek
2005: Jeremy Jacobs
File photo
2002: Dennis Tase
File photo
2009: Chuck Fallon
Burger King Corp.
2014: Joseph DePinto
7-Eleven
2002: John Metz
File photo
2015: Peggy Cherng
Panda Express
2016: Kevin Miles
Zoes Kitchen
2001: David Overton
The Cheesecake Factory
2016: Gene Lee
Darden Restaurants
2011: Don Fox
Firehouse Subs
2009: Randy Kibler
Bojangles Restaurants, Inc.
2016: Guillermo Perales
Sun Holdings
2011: Steve Romaniello
Focus Brands
2012: Jimmy John Liautaud
Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches
NRN celebrates its 50th anniversary with a look back at the industry. The Golden Chain Award is given to top restaurant executives each year. Meet some of the winners from 1982 to 2016.
2010: Kevin Reddy
Noodles & Co.
2004: Ron Schaich
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for New York Times
2009: Phil Friedman
McAlister's Deli
1992: Richard Melman
Steph Grant
2012: Mike Tatterfield
Caribou Coffee
2000: Cliff Hudson
File photo
2015: John Gainor
Dairy Queen
2005: Craig Culver
Culver's
2012: John Cooper
Bonefish Grill
2014: Greg Creed
Yum! Brands
2015: Julia Stewart
DineEquity
2006: Jim Skinner
McDonald's
2009: Jeff Harvey
Burgerville
1986: S. Truett Cathy
Chick-fil-a
2015: Charlie Morrison
Wingstop
2005: Philip Hickey
File photo
2001: Michael Kaufman
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1998: Fedele Bauccio
File photo
2013: Dan Cathy
Chick-fil-A
2014: Kent Taylor
Texas Roadhosue
2013: Peter Cancro
Jersey Mike's
2003: Kerry Kramp
Sizzler
2003: Doug Brooks
Brinker International
2000: Brad Blum
Romano's Macaroni Grill
2001: Allen Bernstein
File photo
1998: Wallace Doolin
Courtesy of Wallace Doolin
2006: David Brandon
Domino's Pizza
2006: Douglas Ducey
Cold Stone Creamery
2008: Andrew Puzder
CKE Restaurants, Inc.
1997: Tilman Feritta
Landry's
1982: Norman Brinker
Ron Ruggless
2009: Cameron Mitchell
Cameron Mitchell Restaurants
2010: Sardar Biglari
Scott Windus
2010: Elie Maalouf
HMSHost
2013: Kelly Baltes
Cheddar's
2008: Ken Pendery
First Watch Restaurants
1999: Roy Yamaguchi
File photo
2013: Michael Hislop
Corner Bakery Cafe
2011: Steele Platt
Yard House
2007: Gerard Gabrys
File photo
2006: Gary Beisler
Qdoba Mexican Grill
2003: Sally Smith
Buffalo Wild Wings
2008: Joe Tortorice
Jason's Deli
1994: Samuel E. Beall
Ruby Tuesday
2007: Craig Miller
Ruth's Chris Steak House
2003: Russ Bendel
Habit Burger Grill
Ruth Fertel
Ruth's Chris Steak House
1997: Nick Valenti
File photo
2004: Richard Snead
Carlson Restaurants Worldwide
2012: Cheryl Bachelder
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
2014: Aylwin Lewis
Potbelly
1996: David Novak
Yum! Brands
1983: Carl Karcher
File photo
2006: GJ Hart
California Pizza Kitchen
2004: Steve Ells
Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Chipotle Mexican Grill
1987: Herman Cain
Rick Diamond/Getty Images for WSB Radio
2006: Paul W. Essex
United States Air Force
2015: John Miller
Denny's
2012: John Schnatter
Papa John's
2011: J. Patrick Doyle
Domino's Pizza
2016: Greg Flynn
Flynn Restaurant Group
2013: Ray Blanchette
Joe's Crab Shack
2002: Edna Morris
Courtesy of Edna Morris
2004: Emil Brolick
Wendy's
1998: Roger Berkowitz
Legal Sea Foods
