Growth Chains: Francesca Restaurant GroupGrowth Chains: Francesca Restaurant Group

By Mark Brandau


Since 1992, Chicago-based chef and restaurateur Scott Harris has blurred the line between chain and independent restaurants, opening 26 Italian eateries called Francesca’s, each distinguished by some variation on the name and a different decor. That strategy has fueled Francesca Restaurant Group’s growth around Chicago, which the newest member of Harris’ executive team would like to accelerate.


“Companies reach an inflection point where they have to decide whether [they’ll] be comfortable with the status quo,” said chief executive Trenton Brown, who joined Francesca Restaurant Group in January. “Or do you have something repeatable, where a wide audience could appreciate what you’re bringing to the table?”


Francesca’s rece...