Chain Leader

Lane Cardwell

In Their Blood
March 3, 2008

I just returned from Norman and Toni Brinker's fifth wedding anniversary celebration.  I was delighted and honored to be there.  When the invitee list includes Ross Perot, the Mayor of Dallas, and some of the other titans of industry, I am not usually in attendance. Tonight was an exception. Norman included many of the local restaurateurs that he has been associated with over the years.  But that is not what this particular blog is about.

As I drove home I couldn’t help but think about conversations I had tonight with two gentleman who are responsible for the creation of some of the larger casual dining chains in the country. Larry Lavine and Phil Romano. Larry has been involved with the creation or expansion of several different concepts.  One that you might be familiar with is called Chili’s. Phil Romano is the creator of Fuddrucker’s, Romano’s Macaroni Grill, Cozymel’s and many other concepts over the years.

I have known and worked with Phil for almost 20 years.  I have known Larry for even longer. Neither needs to prove anything to the industry or themselves. Their concept creations are everywhere they go when they travel around the country. And yet, they still have more ideas for new restaurant concepts that they feel they have to get out.

Larry Lavine has opened two similar concepts in Dallas recently under different names.  Red’s Patio Grill and Strong’s Everyday Tavern. The easiest way to describe them is that they are what Larry would have developed Chili’s as today, if he hadn’t started Chili's in the mid-‘70’s. The two concepts have different names, but the menus are very similar.  Burgers and hand cut fries, sandwiches, salads, ribs, meatloaf, a filet and pork chop, among other items. Margaritas made from over 100 tequilas and fresh squeezed juices. Simple items done extraordinarily well. As I said, it is Larry’s original vision for Chili’s, except with 30+ years of experience and sophistication.  His and the customer’s.

And why is he doing this?  “Because I’m not done yet. I still have some ideas I want to see out there.”

Phil Romano is one of the more prolific concept creators in the country.  His eye for design and his creative mind for making restaurants memorable have been at work for many years.  As a favor to his sister Rosalie, he developed a “new generation” Macaroni Grill for her in her hometown of Skaneateles, NY in 1995.  He took what he learned from Macaroni Grill, and then took it to the next level.  She died a year later and Rosalie’s Cucina became his tribute to her.  Phil has been involved with other Italian concepts over the years.  His Spageddie’s concept became the blueprint for Carino’s. 

Phil and I were talking about other concepts tonight when he leaned over and said, “I have an idea for a new Italian concept that I am going to do that will knock your socks off.”  And I know it will. What is it that makes people like Larry and Phil continue to develop concepts after all of these years and successes?

It’s in their blood. And the rest of us benefit.

Posted by Lane Cardwell on March 3, 2008 | Comments (0)