Chain Leader

The Chain Leader Execution Awards are awarded annually to honor leaders in the chain restaurant industry. These awards represent a "past, present and future" tribute to three industry leaders, recognizing excellence in execution at different career stages: Legend, Chain Leadership and Protégé. The Chain Leadership and Legend awards are selected by Chain Leader’s Cover Society. The Execution Awards are presented each year as part of Chain Leader LIVE, an educational and networking conference for chain restaurant executives.

Chain Leader magazine announces the winners of its 2007 Chain Leader Execution Awards, which recognize excellence in execution in the chain-restaurant industry at different career stages: Legend, Chain Leadership and Protégé.  The winners accepted their awards at a ceremony during Chain Leader LIVE, a conference for restaurant executives held Oct. 24-26 at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa in Newport Beach, Calif.

The 2007 Chain Leader Execution Awards include:

The Legend award recognizes the industry leader who has most inspired other leaders and legends throughout their careers.

The 2007 Legend award recipient is:

S. Truett Cathy
Founder, Chick-fil-A
Truett Cathy is founder and chairman of Chick-fil-A Inc. In 1967, Cathy founded and opened the first Chick-fil-A restaurant in Atlanta’s Greenbriar Shopping Center. Today, Chick-fil-A is the second-largest quick-service chicken restaurant chain in the United States based on annual sales.

The Chain Leadership award recognizes the individual who currently has the greatest influence on his or her company and the industry through company leadership, financial results and industry participation. 

The 2007 Chain Leadership award recipient is:

Julia Stewart
Chairman and CEO, IHOP
Julia Stewart, a 35-year veteran of the foodservice industry, serves as chairman and chief executive officer of IHOP Corp. Since joining IHOP in December 2001, Stewart has implemented significant shifts in strategy as she leads the efforts to revitalize the IHOP brand. 

The Protégé award recognizes an up-and-comer under 40 years old who has shown measurable achievement, strong leadership and great promise.

The 2007 Protégé award recipient is:

Clayton M. Dover
Executive Vice President and Chief Concept Officer,Metromedia Restaurant Group
Clay Dover joined Metromedia Restaurant Group as vice president of marketing for Bennigan’s Grill and Tavern Restaurants in September 2005. He was promoted to chief concept officer in November 2006 and is responsible for strategic brand development for Bennigan’s, Ponderosa, Bonanza, Steak and Ale, and the new Bennigan’s Sport and The Tavern concepts.

“Chain Leader’s Execution Awards celebrate leaders who have made a real difference in the industry,” said Mary Boltz Chapman, Chain Leader editor-in-chief.  “What makes these awards so unique is that other restaurant-company leaders play a part in selecting the winners.”

Executives from across the chain-restaurant industry participated in both the nominating and voting process for these awards.  Industry leaders who have appeared on the cover of Chain Leader magazine nominated the Legend and elected the Chain Leadership award winners.  The 16,000+ readers of Chain Leader magazine were asked to nominate chain leaders for the Protégé award, which was then selected by the magazine’s editorial team.  Honorees are featured in the November 2007 issue of Chain Leader.



Past Chain Leader Execution Award Winners

2006
Legend: Richard Melman, Founder and Chairman, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises
Chain Leadership: Jon Luther, Chairman and CEO, Dunkin’ Brands Inc.
Protégé: John Metz, Chef and Co-Owner, Hi Life Kitchen & Cocktails, Aqua Blue Restaurant & Bar, Marlow’s Tavern, Sterling Spoon Catering

2005
Legend: Joe Lee, former chairman of Darden Restaurants Inc. and member of founding team of Red Lobster
Chain Leadership: Phillip J. Hickey, Jr., chaiman and CEO of RARE Hospitality International Inc.
Protégé: Billy Downs, founder and president of bd’s Mongolian Barbeque

2004
Legend: Norman Brinker, founder and former chairman, Brinker International
Chain Leadership: Rick Federico, chairman and CEO, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro
Protégé: Jeff Sinelli, founder and president, Which Wich